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To quote the song All Star by Smash Mouth, they don’t stop coming. Teochew Handmade Pau closes after their last day of service on 31 Dec 2025, the famous hawker in Toa Payoh West Market & Food Centre falling victim to many of the same plights as other stalls.
The bad news came in the form of a Facebook post by the hawker in the Hawkers United – Dabao 2020 group. The owners outlined a combination of rising operating costs, ingredient costs, and general labour challenges as the reason for their closure.
It’s difficult to describe the impact and legacy of Teochew Handmade Pau. They’ve been open since 1993 and have been serving pau for 32 years. Teochew Handmade Pau is currently manned by a 2nd-generation hawker named Uncle Yeoh, who adapted his father’s dim sum recipes for a younger generation.
Naturally, the announcement was met by a flurry of comments expressing their sadness regarding the closure, as well as posts thanking Uncle Yeoh for his dedication to the craft. However, a peek at Google Reviews tells a different story.
Teochew Handmade Pau has amassed a 3/5-star rating out of 120 reviews, which isn’t exactly an exemplary rating for a hawker stall so beloved by many. Then again, this isn’t an uncommon sight for hawkers who’ve been around for many years.
Customers have taken issue with their Kong Bak Pau (S$1), lacking proper filling. They claim the paus only contain a few shreds of pork and small amounts of sauce, which was not how they remembered it being years ago.
It’s a rough story for their Char Siew Pau (S$1) as well. Customers recount how the Char Siew Pau used to be juicy and succulent but has since become dry and inedible.
All this begs the question: what caused Teochew Handmade Pau’s standard to drop? While age is definitely a factor, I doubt that it’s the only reason. Perhaps Uncle Yeoh had to settle for subpar ingredients due to rising costs, which directly affected the quality of the food.
No matter, nothing changes the fact that Teochew Handmade Pau closes after 31 Dec 2025. If you’re a curious foodie or estranged former fan, make sure to visit before it’s too late!
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