Changes at the Wet Market

I have lived in Singapore for 11 years. My grocery shopping habit changed several times. During the first few months, I went to Bukit Timah market believing that the shopping there gives me the freshest products and the best value for money. That was a misconception, and I found out later that the sellers there were known to "kethok" (overcharge) you if they got any hints that you were not local. I could detect the glee in their faces as they took my money.

As for freshness, the chicken, meat and vegetables were at room temperature as in those days refrigeration for meat products in wet market were not required. How could they retain their freshness when they were exposed to Singapore heat for hours? I found the vegetable lasted only 3 days at most, and they started to turn yellow or to rot (broccoli/bean sprout especially) while in the refrigerator. On the other hand, vegetables I bought at the supermarket lasted for one week without turning yellow or rotting in the refrigerator.

As for value for money, back then, I found I spend more when shopping at the wet market than at NTUC. Strange isn't it, but I found out the reasons. At the wet market then, when you bought chicken, you had to buy whole ones. The sellers were not very nice if you just wanted to buy parts. At the vegetable stalls, items were bundled in large quantity, and the sellers didn't react too kindly when you asked them to break up their bundles. In fact, they punished you by charging high premium for that request. At the supermarket on the other hand, you paid the same rate even if you asked them to cut the cabbage in halves.

Five years ago, I moved to a condo just across the road from the Empress Road wet market. Friends told me that the wet market was famous to be patronized by the affluents and therefore the quality of the product must be excellent. I know many rich Tai Tais go there chauffeured in Jaguars and 7-series BMWs. Some people even claimed to have spotted Mrs Lee Kwan Yew once in a while (I for one don't believe this). Initially I shopped at the market to give it a try. During the few times I was there, my experience was pretty much the same as my experience in Bukit Timah Market. So after a few tries, I stopped going there.

This morning for the first time in more than 5 years, out of necessity, I shopped there. I was pleasantly surprised at the changes I found. The sellers were generally pleasant. I didn't feel like a helpless prey. Chickens are kept in a chiller and sold in parts just like at the supermarket. The vegetable feel cold to the touch. My request for small portion were entertained kindly. They still know that I am not local because of the way I speak. However, despite that, good personalized service was extended to me. There is hope for wet market after all.