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It’s official — Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken, a beloved name in Singapore’s hawker scene, has quietly shuttered at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. Though the exact closing date remains unclear, it’s understood that the stall ceased operations in early Aug 2025.
To loyal patrons, I’d imagine this feels like saying goodbye to a dear friend, one who fed both stomachs and souls. Founded by Xiao Peiying, affectionately known by her English name “Maria”, Ma Li Ya Virgin Chicken has drawn generations of fans for its silky, soy sauce chicken and comforting plates of braised tofu and rice. They first launched in 1989, then relaunched in 2011 after a hiatus, carving out a reputation for honest, soulful food rooted in tradition and her father’s recipe from way back in 1926!
Talks of their closure date back to Jan 2025, when Maria announced her plans to retire at 75, citing old age and slow business as key reasons. Since then, she had been searching for a worthy successor to carry on her legacy.
Despite receiving a jaw-dropping S$500,000 offer, Maria stood firm — she wasn’t looking for just any buyer, she was looking for someone who genuinely wanted to preserve the legacy she had built. She even listed her treasured recipe for S$138,000, offering to personally train the right person to take over.
But as time passed and no buyer came forward, the inevitable happened.
On 6 Aug, a regular customer shared a farewell tribute with a picture of the shuttered storefront on Facebook with the caption, “It is slowly sinking in. Maria had been talking about hanging up her apron for a year and it has finally happened.” The bittersweet tone echoed what many longtime customers must be feeling — a surge of gratitude tinged with loss.
In the end, Ma Li Ya didn’t just serve soy sauce chicken. They served heart, heritage, and a reminder that some flavours, and the people behind them, can never be replaced.
Thank you for your years of service, Maria.
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