Bazaar Raya Geylang Serai 2023 returns ten times bigger this year, with 700 stalls (up from 70 last year) setting up shop on the streets. It is the longest-running edition in history, sticking around for a whopping 36 days – plenty of time for you to check out all the F&B and retail goodies.
The theme of the annual bazaar is Raya Gemilang, meaning 'glorious feast', and features two concept zones. The first is Souq City, a market in the vicinity of Wisma Geylang Serai where you'll find stalls hawking food, drinks and retail items. This is also where you can get into the spirit of giving – look out for community shelves in Souq City, where you can leave non-perishable halal food and clothing.
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The second concept is the Street Bazaar, which will stretch from Geylang Serai Market to the area beside Tanjong Katong Complex. This area will showcase three distinct themes as well as interactive art installations.
For those who are planning to head down for a proper feast, read on to find out the trendiest eats at this year’s bazaar.
Rosti Haus
Break fast with a hearty Swiss rosti from the boys at Rosti Haus. The shredded potato pancakes here are delightfully fluffy, with a crisp on the outside. Other than the classic Swiss rosti ($8), they also offer other fun flavours like salted egg yolk rosti ($10), spicy rosti ($8) and cheesy rosti ($9). Go for the salted egg yolk rosti, which pairs surprisingly well with cubes of succulent beef (+$7).
House of Lobster
For some decadence, head to House of Lobster – it’s conveniently situated beside Rosti Haus. First-timers can try the signature lobster roll ($16), featuring plump lobster chunks on well-buttered toast. The adventurous should go for the black pepper lobster roll ($18) or even the Samyang lobster roll ($18), which comes with a healthy drizzle of fiery Korean Samyang sauce. All lobster rolls come with a side of nachos and cheese.
Praffles
A well-known staple at bazaars is Praffles, a food stall that made a name for itself with its signature prata-waffle base. Popular choices include the truffle cheese praffle ($11.90) and the chilli crab praffle ($15.90). But we love the rendang beef praffle ($15.90), which has seared US rib-eye beef cubes tossed in an aromatic rendang sauce, all wrapped in a poppadum and praffle.
Three Missy
We love a hefty traditional bergedil, but Three Missy has put their spin on it and we’re along for the ride. Whether its chicken (3 for $5), beef (3 for $6), cheesy beef (3 for $8) or seafood (3 for $7) you’re craving, Three Missy has got something for you. The real star for though, is the sweet-spicy black sauce that comes on the side.
Katoshka
This one makes for a good on-the-go snack. Katoshka serves up chunky fries in handy paper cones – topped with seriously good sauces. Choose from special cheese ($11), sour ranch ($11), chilli beef ($12) and the chicken snack pack ($12). We love that the fries are dusted generously with cajun – it goes especially well with the sour ranch sauce.
Rainbow Works
Besides the adorable Japan Banana ($6) pancake, Rainbow Works also serves up a range of refreshing fruit-based drinks – perfect to beat the heat. The most appealing is the Cocolupa ($11.90), which comes in a handmade weaved basket filled with coconut milkshake and topped with corn, nata de coco, almond flakes and sugar toast. The flower, pandan leaf, and paper umbrella make for a cute, tropical touch.
Balang.sg
Balang.sg is not the only store around selling big buckets of beverages, but its bright-coloured drinks certainly caught our eye. For just $5, you get a 1L bucket of an icy, cold drink. There are a myriad of flavours to choose from, including taro, ice teh, taro, and butterfly pea lychee.
The festival market runs daily from 10am to 11.59pm with an extension until 6am in the lead-up to Hari Raya on April 22.