May 18, 2018, 06:26 PM 
This year's Geylang Serai Bazaar is likely going to be the most colourful one yet.
From the album of the photos we have taken of the food featured this year, you'd realise that the hip, modern stuff is everywhere.
We mean, everywhere.
Singaporeans: Bring back the old days
Modern stuff is great, but many were feeling nostalgic for the good old days without all the hipster frills that much of the bazaar has evolved into these days.
Just saw a video showcasing some "new age" or hipster-esque food at the Geylang Serai Bazaar Raya and I find it disturbing. Everything seems so sweet, oily and unhealthy. Must be the age talking. I might skip it for the 3rd year
— Qaizher (@Qaizher) May 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/xxasyiraxx/status/996636960985759744?s=21
The mood of going to bazaar geylang is just from 100-0 cos it is not like the old times where people will usually sell kuih muih, makanan murah murah dengan baju kurung but now mostly it is all about food
— محمد ميرزا (@muhdmirza160194) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ZakeyFarid/status/996687447219097600
https://twitter.com/Anszyss/status/995572040076746757
https://twitter.com/aanrzk/status/997046944945000448?s=21
Bazaar Geylang has change alot . You can change the generation but why change the tradition ? i dont feel the Ramadhan vibe now in Geylang . I mean im excited but alot of things has changes less kuih kuih stalls . Turn everywhere also some hipster shitzxc hais
— sai (@muhdnrsyfq) May 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/SyakirahNasri/status/996895689270427648
Food prices are also one of the main complaints of the bazaar:
question
— h (@HudaSajali) May 16, 2018
1a) why is the bazaar food getting more and more hipster as the years go by?
b) why is it so darn expensive?
https://twitter.com/afifahhusin/status/996727182624882688
Okay maybe there's a chance bazaar geylang won't be fun with everyone talking about the prices and all. Agree with them though. Bazaar geylang will never be the same as it once was. :/
— Jac(K)et (@irsyad08_) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/_rizqnaufal/status/997061039899361280
As well as the mainstream appeal that has overtaken the scene:
Before we forget...
To be fair, there is still about half of the food and beverage stalls dedicated to the traditional: The ayam percik is still there, and so is the vadai, Ramly burgers, nasi briyani and Dengdeng.
There is an explanation as to why newfangled food and drinks are seemingly favoured over what you grew up eating during the previous bazaars earlier in life.
Long story short: The cost of rental has gone up. A lot.
Booths located along Onan Road used to cost S$15,000 for one month’s rental in 2016, and has been increasing by about S$1,000 each year.
This year’s record is S$20,000 per month for a 3m-by-3m booth.
Booth rentals are slightly lower but still costly at S$4,000 per month at areas near Tanjong Katong complex.
The amount varies from location to location, and it differs between stalls selling food and beverage and clothes and decorative goods.
But one thing's for certain, it ain't cheap.
One source said she paid about S$9,000 for one month’s rental for a F&B booth at Tanjong Katong Complex.
Even then, the rental doesn't even cover cost of electricity.
When I heard Geylang Bazaar Rental was 18-20k per month. pic.twitter.com/vqS0uudvO3
— Hasif! (@Hasif_Tweets) May 17, 2018
This point about the sky-high rent was mentioned in many counter-arguments to the complaints about the bazaar being less than traditional.
The fancy food you see is then a bid to attract more Singaporeans overall to the stalls to cover costs. Mass appeal to stand a better chance of turning profit.
i think the reason why some are saying they aren’t interested in the hipster food at geylang is really bcs of the price. im sure if the churros $2, beef cubes $3, or whatever all below $5 confirm youalls tempted to try one.
— ♡ daya ♡ (@dayasani) May 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/_begedil/status/996982205627875328
Nostalgia vs Modernity
We all want to go back to the good old days.
Who doesn't, really? Things were cheaper, life was less stressful, and a pasar malam was... more like a real pasar malam.
But in the hypothetical situation that the Geylang Serai Bazaar is able to survive and maintain their traditional ways, will Singaporeans then complain about the lack of innovation?
Will Singaporeans stand for the same-old same-old every year?
https://twitter.com/Brankets/status/997046585748946944
Perhaps a balance can be sought between the hipster and traditional, so that everyone can get their beef cubes and Thai milk tea, while ayam percik and bandung drinks are also made available.
Even then, however, we don't think everyone can be appeased.
There's no way to ensure everyone is happy even if we revert to, or have at least half of the way things were, in 1998.
In any case, you make the choice. Don't like it, don't buy it.
wah all complain why bazaar geylang takde traditional food n old school drink stalls all hello end up u all still queue for broti n all the new stuff right then old stuff here n there je as a filler or cos dk what to eat mmmm then how they nak make money
— mar (@marzzorella) May 17, 2018
[related_story]
Top photo by Joshua Lee
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