Gourmet markets offer a little something extra where run-of-the-mill supermarkets stop short. From premium meats to hard-to-find imported products, they’re an essential part of the foodie experience in Singapore. If you enjoy knowing the name of the farm that produced your steak and that your rock salt began its journey to your table in the Himalayas, keep this list handy.
37-43 Sultan Gate, 6391-9841.
Set up by Malaysia’s Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority, Agrobazaar sells over 300 products from Malaysian entrepreneurs – or more accurately, “agropreneurs”. They believe in the “locavore” principle of eating food as close to its source as possible – the less travel, the more produce retains its flavours and nutrients. Less travel means a smaller carbon footprint as well. Fruits feature prominently at Agrobazaar – durian, guava, cempedak, mango and dragon fruit to name a few – along with jams, syrups, honey, sauces, seasonings, coffee, snacks and bird’s nest.
#04-23/24 Orchard Central, 181 Orchard Rd., 6509-7708 (other outlet at Far East Square). Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
From a little street in SoHo called Broadway (you might have heard of it), Dean & Deluca has spread its philosophy around the world over the course of more than 35 years in the business. They cast light on the new and little-known in the world of food and its two outlets in Singapore are one-stop shops for epicureans, retailing everything from caviar to charcuterie items, olive oils to oatmeal and cookbooks to celebrity chef product ranges.
225 Outram Rd., 6224-3290. Open Tue-Fri 11am-8pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm.
The gentrified neighbourhood of Tiong Bahru wouldn’t be complete without air-flown wagyu and angus beef, fine ready-to-cook meals, exotic seasonings and condiments, and, of course, coffee. Foodie Market Place provides all that in a quiet corner of the estate.
#B2-07 Great World City, 1 Kim Seng Promenade, 6838-1855 (other outlet at Parkway Parade). Open daily 10am-10pm.
Four Seasons was born out of motherly love – founder Ann Tan kick-started it with the knowledge gained from caring for her son who was born premature. Seeing how an organic diet helped him grow up strong and healthy, she became a firm believer in the organic lifestyle. Four Seasons has a comprehensive range of organic supplies for you to discover that lifestyle for yourself. And if the name “Four Seasons” sounds familiar, they’re also the folks behind Four Seasons Gourmet Market in the Marina Bay Link Mall.
18A Dempsey Rd., 6737-1788. Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-8pm; Sat-Sun & PH (9:30am-7pm); closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Lunar New Year.
As a general rule of thumb, you won’t go wrong with a business that’s family-owned and operated. Led by local culinary icon Ernst Huber, Huber’s Butchery is a European-style delicatessen which sources its meats directly from reputable farms and makes its own hams and sausages. On top of its awe-inspiring meat selection, they also supply a global range of gourmet products, including plenty of biscuits, chocolates and other confections from Switzerland and Germany.
#01-12 Block 9, Dempsey Rd., 6476-1512, other outlets at Mandarin Gallery and ION Orchard. Open daily 9am-11pm.
A mixed café and retail space, Jones has been providing artisanal products to an eager clientele since the opening of its flagship store in Sydney back in 1996. Almost 20 years have passed, but their approach remains the same. From their oils to their teas, cured meats, breads and everything in their walk-in cheese room, everything they stock is crafted by dedicated, small-scale producers.
The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Rd., 6887-0077. Open daily 9:30am-7pm.
Before PasarBella, a flight Down Under was our closest connection to the delights of strolling through a real farmer’s market. Touting itself as “the first multi-sensory grocery shopping destination in Singapore”, PasarBella has over 30 stalls spread out over 30,000 square feet, covering seafood, meat, dairy, wine and beer from around the world.
SuperNature
#B1-05/09 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Rd., 6304-1336 (other outlet at Paragon). Open daily 10am-7:30pm.
If only organic will do, look no further than SuperNature where around 95% of their stock is certified organic. Dedicated to sustainability and healthy living, SuperNature makes it a point to know each of their products inside and out. So whether you’re snacking on almonds or raw kale chips, or whipping up a meal with their purple cauliflower, Black Knight carrots and Rhug Estate organic Welsh lamb, you’ll know that it’s all been carefully selected and brought to you directly from the suppliers. SuperNature also offers mother and child, home and living, beauty and wellness and special needs products.
Photo: Rene Hamburg via Wylio
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