What does a night market smell like? Does it smell like a day market? Did it smell any different from markets in the 1960s? (Can we even replicate smells on the internet?)

Derek has a clue about how night markets smelled like in the 1960s – and they had a distinct aroma:

There was a totally different smell at these markets. The air was filled with the smell of Kerosene lights and heaters which would attract moths and other insects. They would then attract chit-chats who would wait by the lamps for easy prey. There was also a moth ball smell especially around the stalls that sold wooden trinkets. Perhaps it’s the smell of the wood? There were allsorts of items for sale that remind me now of Singapore including the Wanchai Burberrys held together by fish glue, the many colourful paper kites, Chinese lanterns, toys and wicker hats. All had a smell of their own and combined gave Singapore its own unique smell. I haven’t been there for a very long time now but I wonder what it all smells of today?

So there you go - naphthalene and kerosene were what night markets smelled like in the 1960s. Bet you didn’t figure, right? Read about Singapore markets in the 1960s in Sampans, Banyans and Rambutans.

Disclaimer: Kerosene and naphthalene are toxic when inhaled in large amounts. Please don’t go sniffing the stuff just to get an idea of the smell!