Latest news with #hawker
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘Retailers, hawkers and restaurants need to survive' — KF Seetoh says Urban Hawker NYC costs less to run than Orchard Road, MBS food halls
SINGAPORE: Operations and rents in Urban Hawker in New York are way cheaper than in prime Orchard Road and Marina Bay Sands (MBS) food halls, says Makansutra founder KF Seetoh in a Facebook post on Monday night (June 2), explaining that he knows this because Makansutra was their setup consultant. Mr Seetoh said he needed to 'exhale some facts and realities' after seeing the news of how a group of retail and food and beverage (F&B) players were banding up to raise concerns over the 'sky is the limit' rents, operating costs, and manpower woes in Singapore. Pointing out that manpower is not a major issue in New York City, and people there pay market prices for food even in the Times Square and Rockefeller Centre area, where Urban Hawker is located, he said, 'Sure, taxes may be higher but it works out way better than paying ridiculous 5 figure stall rents plus a profit percentage.' ' In Singapore, selling S$8 platters. It's US$17 for fried hokkien mee in Urban Hawker and there's no entitled customers about prices there… ,' he added. Mr Seetoh said, 'Retailers, hawkers and restaurants need to survive. They pay full price for other living and business costs here, too. Who's gonna take up your shops and stalls if you happy keep cranking up that rent and operation cost machine?' warning that the current setup will only push hawkers and small operators out. 'Rethink this whole business infrastructure. Put on your crystal ball and binos and look ahead, it's bleak. Don't even talk about affordable food for the masses in the future, for a start,' he added. One commenter blamed 'insatiable landlords' who keep raising rent and making it difficult for small hawkers and retailers to survive. Another pointed out that, unlike Singapore, which charges customers for takeaway containers , 'Urban Hawker portions are American-sized, and if you need to dabao your leftovers, the containers are free.' See also Will Singapore's missing recession delay next GE? The concerns raised by Mr Seetoh echo what many in the F&B sector are going through. In February, a hawker with a vegetarian stall at Serangoon Road , who had operated for over 10 years, moved out after learning that his rent would rise to S$3,000 from just S$930 due to a new operator. He said the rent was too much, as he was only earning enough to survive. In October 2024, Singapore's monthly F&B business closures surpassed even pandemic levels , with government data showing that over 3,000 F&B outlets had closed by the end of last year . More recent figures don't offer much relief. The Department of Statistics reported a 2.8% drop in F&B sales in March this year compared to the previous year. This followed a sharper 5.7% year-on-year (YoY) drop in February. In April, government data revealed that an average of 307 F&B businesses had closed each month in 2025 due to high costs and fewer diners, up from 254 in 2024. See also Just how many 'preneurs' does Singapore need? Mr Seetoh said, 'There are more harsh realities I know about doing business in Singapore than what I tell you here. I will tell more soon.' In the comments, he added, 'Looks like we need to go back to Rent Control Act days.' /TISG Read also: Singapore bars serve non-alcoholic drinks and unique experiences to win over Gen Z amid falling alcohol consumption
Independent Singapore
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
TikToker left traumatised after Lau Pa Sat satay seller scolds her over satay mix-up
SINGAPORE: A video posted on TikTok showing a heated encounter between a hawker and a customer at Lau Pa Sat has gone viral, racking up more than 758,000 views and sparking a lively debate about service standards and fault in a simple satay mix-up. The short clip was shared by TikTok user @izamo69, who goes by Isabelle. She and her friends were at the iconic food centre to grab satay when the incident unfolded. In her video caption, she wrote: 'Average Singapore service: Auntie gave us the wrong satay, then screamed like we messed up. I'm traumatised now.' She also added, 'First and last time I went to Lau Pa Sat.' The video shows a clearly frustrated hawker raising her voice: 'I asked you to wait there, I never asked you to take,' she is heard saying off-camera. Isabelle, looking caught off guard, stands silently as the woman continues to scold her. @izamo69 First and last time I went to Lau Pa Sat 💀🙏 #laupasat #singapore #auntie #chillbro #satay ♬ som original – Trap Music Fun While the exact sequence of events remains a little murky, it appears Isabelle may have mistakenly taken someone else's order, thinking it was hers. The online reaction came quickly, and the opinions were split. Some sided with the hawker, arguing that the customer likely picked up the wrong food. 'From what I hear, she said she told you to wait, and you took the wrong order, which doesn't belong to you,' one user commented. Another added, 'You took the wrong one and you blame her???' Others were more critical of the hawker's tone. 'No excuse for the way she shouted,' one commenter wrote, while another added, 'Yeah lah, but the makcik quite rude leh.' A few users were more concerned with avoiding a similar experience themselves. 'Which stall?' one asked. 'I'll be skipping that one next time.' Some also urged empathy, pointing out the challenges faced by older hawkers during busy hours. 'It sucks to be shouted at,' one person wrote, 'but they've probably been doing this for years without a break. I try to give them grace.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 new outlets in 16 days by new steamed fish & seafood hawker
A new steamed fish stall, Tian Tian You Yu, has recently debuted in the hawker scene! It first opened at Old Airport Road Food Centre in Dakota on 5 May and has since set up 2 other outlets within the same month. The brand set up shop at Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre on 9 May and just opened its third outlet at ABC Market & Food Centre around 21 May. When we reached out for details, they said that expansion plans are in the works to branch out islandwide. Tian Tian You Yu has a simple goal: to make good quality seafood dishes accessible to all. Perhaps that explains the name, 天天有鱼 in Chinese which directly translates to 'everyday got fish'. This fresh face has barely been around for less than a month, but there have already been a few customers who've tested the claim and found it true. 'Delicious food at affordable prices. This is definitely going to be my new favourite stall in this hawker centre,' a Google reviewer gushed on its Old Airport Road outlet's Maps profile. As expected, the stall dishes up a menu of mostly seafood selections. The choices of seafood such as sotong and prawns vary, but the main species of fish offered are Red Snapper, Grouper and Pomfret. A customer first selects their choice of fish before selecting a Choice of Taste. The best-selling flavours are Teochew Steamed and Assam, but there are 3 others including Black Bean Sauce. This results in freshly cooked, delectable dishes such as Steamed Fish Head (S$7.50) and Steamed Fish Slices (S$7.50). Feel free to also try the Steamed clams (S$7.50) or the Herbal Paper Wrapped Chicken (S$7.50) for more variety. Will you be trying Tian Tian You Yu on your next seafood hunting trip? $2.20 fried noodles with add-ons at Upper Boon Keng The post 3 new outlets in 16 days by new steamed fish & seafood hawker appeared first on
