Scroll down for carefully curated cookware and grocery shops in Singapore, HK, KL, HCMC, UAE and Manila - from locals who live there
SINGAPORE
MARKETS & FARMS:
GHIM MOH WET MARKET I’m a fan of Ghim Moh and buy lots of produce here including fruit and veg (Malaysia-grown over China-grown) as well as pork from stall holder Ah Kuang. He does a roaring trade so if you don't arrive early enough, expect a queue around the block (TIP: if you only want one or two items, WhatsApp him the day before on +65 9474 3191 and you can cut the queue when you come to collect). His stall number is #01-143/145.
TIONG BAHRU WET MARKET One of the largest arrays of fresh fish in any (non-wholesale) market in Singapore.
QUAN FA Reasonably priced organic veg grown on a farm right here in Singapore. You can pay them a visit but you're really better off ordering online. They do island-wide deliveries on set days, three times a week.
SUPERMARKETS:
COLD STORAGE If you’re hunting for a Western ingredient, the chances are it’s in here somewhere. The best place for obscure varieties of fresh herbs too.
NTUC FINEST Their Bukit Timah Plaza branch has an excellent ‘free-from’ section and health food range. They, along with Cold Storage, also stock Freedom Range eggs that are produced by local, cage-free hens.
MUSTAFA One of my favourite shops. You can buy anything here from a pair of Ray-Bans to a suitcase and a pat of butter. Their supermarket is well worth a visit and sells a staggering amount of produce from all over the globe (I always stock up on their nuts and seeds which are sold at fair prices - their organic almond nut butter is cheaper that it is in the US). It is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week, although Sundays are best avoided. Come at 9am on a weekday and you’ll have to store to yourself. Their rooftop restaurant serves good Indian food and is a great place for lunch if you need reviving. Click here to read a changmoh blog post on the overall Mustafa experience.
BUTCHERS & FISHMONGERS:
THE BUTCHER Sometimes referred to as the Aussie Bucher, the original shop is nestled on Jalan Merah Saga in Holland V (they have expanded with additional branches in Parkway Parade and River Valley). Their chickens are large, antibiotic-free capons that are twice the price of kampong chickens - but with twice the amount of meat. They sell good pork ribs too and also offer online shopping.
FISHWIVES They don't just sell fish (think ethically farmed Barramundi and more) they also carry meat - but only if it is antibiotic, steroid and hormone-free. They test the mercury levels of all fish sold here.
THE BARBIE GIRLS A go-ahead online-only store selling top quality local chickens from the same supplier that Jamie Oliver's restaurant uses (Jamie is notoriously fussy about the chickens he serves up and will only use ones that have been reared in accordance with his strict policies and standards). Come here to buy New Zealand lamb, eggs as well as traceable and sustainable seafood.
HUBERS Can be relied upon for hormone-free chickens, their veal is also good and sausages are made in-house. The branch at Dempsey is doing a roaring trade and has expanded to include a café and playground.
SNORRE FOOD They offer a good choice of frozen fish including elusive smoked haddock that is very hard to find here in Singapore (also stocked intermittently by Marks & Spencer - call ahead).
QB FOODS An out-of-the-way gem for good and good value produce from iberico ham, Australian and US meat to Italian olive oils, cheddar cheese, frozen berries…and more. They also have a more centrally placed outlet called Foodie Market in Tiong Bahru.
SPECIALIST STORES
BAKER & COOK Among other things, they sell excellent half-sized loaves of sourdough bread which toast up brilliantly.
CULINA Stock a huge selection of pretty impressive meats from Australia and New Zealand, farmed and wild fish and fresh seafood that is flown in from France twice a week. You get the picture. Beautiful, organic French chickens (albeit frozen) are also on sale plus a smattering of organic veg.
EQUIPMENT & KITCHENWARE:
LEMON ZEST A go-to for cooking implements as well as bigger buys. They stock a mass of beautiful items from copper pots and pans to mixing bowls, spatulas and turners. They also have a good selection of English language cookbooks.
PHOON HUAT A brilliant shop that is relatively good value for any baking-related equipment as well as baking ingredients. Come here for cake tins, jelly moulds, cake stands, trays...you name it; if it's cake-related, they have it. Don’t miss the great value French butter in the freezer section.
LAU HOY SENG A huge Chinatown wholesale cookware store that sells everything you can think of (and everything you can't) for Asian cooking. They have a good selection of woks, wooden chopping boards and cleavers. An institution.
PARISILK Full of knowledgeable staff, this family run electrical store sells a wide range of kitchen gadgets, from Kenwoods to KitchenAids. You can even pre-order smaller items over the phone (think printer toner and A4 paper) then swing by to pick up and pay – all from the driver's seat of the car. They also offer online shopping.
TOTT A huge and helpful one-stop-shop for anything to do with cooking; from bamboo sausage sticks to slick slate presentation platters, from spiralisers to high-end appliances.
IKEA Boringly brilliant for kitchen (and home) basics. Check out their kilner jars which are perfect for keeping Patience's Granola (page 26) crunchy and fresh for longer.
TANGS Their basement kitchenware department has a good selection of utensils and they carry brands such as Joseph Joseph and Global (knives).
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