This Hari Raya holiday on 31st March 2025, my husband and I decided to explore the vibrant and culturally rich area of Kampong Glam in Singapore. We had always been curious about its traditional roots, and the festive occasion felt like the perfect time to dive in.
The Start of Our Day
After a quick breakfast at home, we made our way straight to Kampong Glam. The moment we arrived at Bussorah Street, the beautiful view of the Sultan Mosque from afar instantly guided us there. It’s truly an iconic landmark and hard to miss.
A Street Full of Flavours and Finds
Bussorah Street turned out to be a food paradise, offering a colourful array of Malay, Arabic, and Turkish cuisine. In addition to the incredible food choices, the street was lined with handicraft and souvenir shops. One shop that truly stood out to me was The Grand Bazaar Authentic Turkish Handcraft Products—it stole my heart with its intricate and beautifully made items.
Lunch at Istanbul Grill’s & Café
We chose to have lunch at Istanbul Grill’s & Cafe, conveniently located very close to Sultan Mosque. While the food was enjoyable, we were slightly disappointed that there wasn’t a special menu in honour of the Hari Raya celebrations.
Here’s what we ordered:
- Chicken Mandi – S$25.90
- Chicken Pide – S$23.90 (my personal favourite!)
- Baba Ganoush – S$13 (my husband’s top pick)
- Turkish Tea – S$2
- Turkish Coffee – S$8
- Kunafe Dessert – S$13.90
The Turkish style tea and coffee didn’t quite meet our expectations, and although the Kunefe looked delicious and was something I had long wanted to try, it turned out to be too oily for our liking. Still, the experience added a flavorful layer to our Singapore memories.
Admiring the Sultan Mosque
Post-lunch, we headed towards the mosque to admire its majestic architecture from the outside. It was quite crowded, and since we had visited the inside on a previous trip, we decided to simply take in the atmosphere from afar.
Exploring Arab Street and Haji Lane
The next part of our journey took us through Muscat Street, Arab Street and Haji Lane. It was a whole new vibe—lively, colourful, and filled with artistic murals. I especially loved the vintage section, while my husband was drawn to the dynamic food scene there.
Wrapping Up the Day
After soaking in all the sights and experiences, we leisurely made our way toward Bugis, enjoying the charm of the surrounding neighbourhoods. From there, we hopped on the MRT home, tired but fulfilled.
This Hari Raya was a memorable one, thanks to the rich culture, delicious food, and vibrant spirit of Kampong Glam. It’s definitely a place we’d recommend visiting—especially on a festive day!
