2023 was a huge year for many local hawkers— many new businesses were launched this year, while some existing ones even expanded and opened more outlets islandwide. Unfortunately, not all hawkers have experienced the same success. In 2023, we saw many beloved stalls close their shutters for the final time due to various reasons, such as rising rental costs and health problems.
Here is a quick recap of the most notable hawker stalls that have closed permanently in 2023.
January
Nudedles.4 — Shut on 28 Jan after 2 years due to rising costs and a lack of manpower.
Apollo Fresh Cockle Fried Kway Teow — Shut on 30 Jan after 40 years of operations in Marine Parade Central Market and Food Centre as the stall owner retired.
February
Dju Dju Nasi Padang — Closed on 28 Feb after 38 years as the owner retired to pursue her passion for travelling.
Tiong Bahru Yi Sheng Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee — Shut after 4 decades as the owner decided to retire.
March
Mi Le Vegetarian — Closed on 28 Mar after 30 years for unknown reasons.
Cheng Fa Fried Kway Tiao — Closed after 40 years as the owner fell and injured himself, leading to his decision to retire.
Zhao Ji Clay Pot Rice — Closed on 19 Mar as the owner decided to retire and move back to her home country, Hong Kong.
Kong Kee Mutton Soup — Shut after 30 years as the owner wanted to retire.
April
Xiang Xiang Nasi Lemak — Closed on 9 Mar as the owners decided to retire.
DP Creations — Shut after 6 years due to the rising rental costs, which led to business not being as profitable.
May
Da Chang Jin Handmade Chee Cheong Fun — Closed suddenly without warning, customers noticed that its signboard had been taken down when Holland Drive Market & Food Centre reopened.
San Ba Wang Guo Zhi Shu Shi — Closed without warning following the renovation works at Sembawang Hills Food Centre.
Truly Teochew — Shut on 13 May for unknown reasons.
King of Seafood Soup — Shut on 30 May due to rising costs and a shortage of manpower.
June
Heng Kee Lor Mee — Closed on 11 Jun as the gruelling work of running the stall caused one of the owners to have health problems, hence prompting them to shut it permanently.
Happy Chef Western Food — Closed as the senior chefs decided to retire.
Ah Hoe Cooked Food — Shut following the owner’s passing.
Sure Come Back Wanton Mee — Closed on 27 Jun as the owner decided to switch careers and return to being an assistant mechanic.
60-year legacy ends as Old Lai Huat Seafood Restaurant closes
July
Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh — Closed on 30 Jul due to personal reasons.
‘Nameless’ Bak Chor Mee — Shut due to a S$3,000 price hike in stall rent.
Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle — Closed on 13 Jul due to rental costs.
August
Tiong Bahru Wah Yuen Porridge — Shut on 9 Aug after 30 years, following the death of its founder, Mr Raymond Yip, on 15 Feb.
October
Grandfather Food Empire Bak Chor Mee — Shut on 6 Oct as the main chef had fallen ill.
Uggli Muffins — Closed on 10 Oct as a successor for the business could not be found.
Meow Mee — Closed on 30 Oct due to unknown reasons.
November
非同小可 Really Something — Closed on 30 Nov after 3 years due to rising rental and operational costs.
Ethan My Prawn Noodle — Shut after just 7 months, due to an unreliability of the supply of fresh-caught prawns, and a rise in operational costs.
Guan Kee Fried Kway Teow — Closed on 28 Nov after 54 years as the owners decided to retire.
Teck Kee Wanton Mee — Closed on 13 Dec after 2 decades due to unknown reasons.
December
Teck Hin Fishball Noodles — Closed on 6 Dec after announcements that Bukit Timah Market & Food Centre would be demolished in the second half of 2024.
Teochew Rice & Porridge — Closed after 40 years due to the elderly owner’s health condition.
