Expating Singapore: An American perspective and other short stories: Little India Wet Market Experience (Beginner Level!)

Last month I had the opportunity to tour one of Singapore’s best wet markets. You are probably wondering what exactly a ‘wet’ market is because if you are like me you may have only heard of farmers markets. They are similar since both sell fresh fruits and vegetables but wet markets also contain shellfish, seafood, and meat. The term ‘wet’ comes from all the water that is used to keep the floors clean and all the foods fresh. You do not want to go barefoot and I was so glad that I obediently followed the tour guides instructions to wear closed toed shoes. It is a very interesting place to explore and discover if you ever get a chance to visit a wet market. My research tells me that they are mostly found in Asian countries. Go with an open mind and I assure you that your senses will probably be on overload with all the sights, smells, and sounds. The smell is not very pleasant actually especially around all the seafood and dried fish stalls. As soon as we walked in I wanted to leave right away since it smelled so awful. I ended up managing somehow throughout the two hour tour. I just tried to keep an open mind throughout the entire experience.

Our local Singaporean tour guide took us throughout the seafood and shellfish stalls first. I looked down and what do I see? A huge sting-ray then some squid and even a shark! This was more than I signed up for. Then there were rows and rows of fish and shrimp including the heads. The tour guide was busily moving us through the crowds, telling us what was what and how to look for freshness. The information was a little overwhelming and went in one ear and out the other. I don't even know how to cook fish but maybe now I will try to learn something new. What really motivated me to do the tour in the first place was to learn about all the new fruits and vegetables that you can find in Singapore. My goal was to learn what to buy and how to eat them. If you see a picture of a dragon fruit, lychee, or mango stein you know exactly where I am coming from.

Sting-Ray for sale

Squid

Jaws

Pick a fish any fish

Shrimp

I knew the wet market had fish and meat but I had no idea to what extent. I looked to my left and one man is chopping up a huge fish. Blood and guts are splattering all over the place. At this point I wish our tour guide had told us to wear a full wetsuit, including a mask. This is not a sanitary place whatsoever. I even hated dropping my lens cap on the floor. Fish heads were just hanging out on silver dishes ready to be bought. I look to my right and another man is chopping off a chicken head with parts flying everywhere. Then I wonder if that stand he is using to cut the chicken has actually ever been cleaned. Seems like a salmonella outbreak waiting to happen. This was like actually living in a real horror film. The thought even crossed my mind to become a vegetarian as soon as I got home. My head started to spin. I tried to take it all in positively but these sights are a rarity if you come from my suburban town back in the United States. The grocery store has a very small selection of seafood and it rarely smells. Also, the meat is always nice and packaged like a pretty Tiffany’s box wrapped in a bow ready to take home. Who would have thought these places actually existed?

Fish heads on a silver platter

I think my camera lens needed to be cleaned after this shot

Where is the anti-bacterial spray?

Normal sights to see in Singapore

Meat carcass chilling on the ancient old never been cleaned stand

Beef it's what's for dinner

Are these Chesapeake blue Maryland crabs?! Hmmm...

Crabs used in the famous Singaporean dish 'Chili Crab'

Pre-cooked noddle Shop

Dried fish

I was really glad to move away from all the seafood and meat to the pretty colorful fruits and vegetables. The smell of the sweet fruits was heavenly. The displays were so colorful and beautiful too. Finally I did not feel so out of place until the tour guide went on and on about the different fruits and vegetables. I had another bout of sensory overload. This tour needed to come with a handout and pictures explaining everything or maybe I should have taken better notes. It was a great experience all in all and I feel a little more confident to visit my local wet market down the street that might not be as intimidating. I think I’ll just be staying in the fruit and veggie isles for now though. I do not want to re-live the seafood and poultry stalls nightmare. Maybe one day! You always have to keep an open mind when living abroad in a foreign place.