Arab Street Fabric Guide: Where To Buy Batik, Textiles, And Oud Near Bugis
Arab Street is the original commercial artery of Kampong Glam, predating Haji Lane's boutique reinvention by a century. The shophouses here have traded in textiles, batik, rattan, and basket-weaving materials since the early 20th century, and some of these businesses are still family-run. If you need fabric, brassware, prayer rugs, or perfume oils in Singapore, this is where you go for non-souvenir prices.
The street runs from Beach Road to North Bridge Road, parallel to Haji Lane. It is a 5-minute walk from Bugis MRT, and the best time to visit is weekday late morning, when the shops are open but the crowds have not yet arrived.
The Textile Houses
Hadjee Textiles is one of the surviving old-school names on Arab Street. The shop has bolts of silk, batik, lace, and brocade stacked floor to ceiling, and the staff know their inventory in a way that only decades of family operation can produce. If you are looking for a specific weight or weave, they will find it.
Sun Hong is the other established textile trader, with a focus on Indonesian batik. Prices are negotiable on larger purchases, so do not accept the first quote. A reasonable approach is to ask for 15 to 20 percent off on purchases above $50, and to walk away if the price does not move. Most shopkeepers will call you back.
For rattan and basket-weaving materials, the shops toward the Baghdad Street end of Arab Street are the ones to visit. They sell raw rattan, cane webbing, and completed baskets at prices that are lower than what you would pay at a craft store in a mall.
The Attar Shops: Perfume Oils By The Drop
The attar shops sell concentrated, alcohol-free perfume oil, dispensed by the drop into tiny glass bottles. A good shopkeeper will dab a few scents on a test card for you, including sandalwood, oud, and rose, and let you take your time deciding.
Prices start at around $15 for a small bottle of basic attar and go up to $80 or more for premium oud oils. A 3ml bottle lasts months because you only need a dab on the wrist and neck. It is a fun, low-cost souvenir that actually smells like the place.
Compare prices between shops before buying. Some of the perfume shops can be pushy, and you are not obligated to buy. The ones on the side streets, away from the main tourist flow, tend to be more relaxed and have better prices.
Brassware, Carpets, And Prayer Items
If you are looking for brassware, the shops near the Sultan Mosque end of Arab Street carry brass lamps, incense burners, and decorative plates. The carpet dealers stock Persian, Turkish, and Afghan rugs, with prices ranging from $200 for a small machine-made rug to several thousand for a hand-knotted piece.
Prayer rugs are sold at several shops, with prices starting at $30 for a basic woven rug and going up to $150 for embroidered or silk versions. If you are buying a rug, ask the shopkeeper to lay it out flat so you can check for imperfections and assess the true colours.
Practical Details
- Location: Arab Street, Singapore 199732 (runs from Beach Road to North Bridge Road)
- Nearest MRT: Bugis (EW12/DT14), Exit B or C, 5 minutes walk
- Hours: Most shops 10:00am to 8:00pm daily; some close on Friday afternoons for prayers
- Price: Batik fabric $10 to $50 per metre; attar perfume oil $15 to $80 per bottle; prayer rugs $30 to $150; brass items $20 to $200
- Tip: Bring cash for better bargains. Credit card payments are accepted at most shops but incur a small surcharge.
