How is the Orchard Road ice cream uncle coping during phase 2 (heightened alert) period?

A familiar sight outside Ngee Ann City along Orchard Road, Uncle Chieng has been selling ice cream ever since the mall first opened in 1993.
However, during this phase 2 (HA) period he has switched to selling ice cream in neighbourhood areas. We followed him for a day to see how he is getting through this period.
#Singapore #Covid19 #Phase2HA
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[@MothershipSG]

You can check out Uncle Chieng’s Facebook page if you would like to find out where he will be selling his traditional ice cream. Support local traditional businesses! :) 
facebook.com/unclechieng

[@macaroon6561]

Pin up this comment please so netizens instantly know he has facebook account. TQ😃

[@lefur8]

So cute this ice cream uncle 🥰

[@TofuTeo]

That's awesome, thank you! Uncle chieng is super cool

[@ericyeo1454]

Why are we keeping Mcdonalds alive while our own local tradition dies down ??? Come on Singaporeans, support our locals ! I'm going to support him when i see him for sure !

[@ajward9112]

Exactly - whenever the local ice cream man passes by my neighbourhood, I make an effort to make sure everyone in my household buys an ice cream, regardless of whether or not it’s eaten immediately

[@noproblematallmate]

Why buy from them when Sheng Shiong can buy the same ice cream? Buy one block go home slowly eat la. These ice cream uncles mainly earn tourist money one...

[@tamny9963]

ask macdonald sell shittier ice cream la ask the uncle sell cheaper la cb this kind of mentality is the worse. who cares about local tradition, this is 2021, not 1965. you tell me you use smart phone watch this video, why not be traditional and not use this at all? fucking hell this kind of people

[@TofuTeo]

Right?? I've been frequenting large chains less and tapao-ing more from family restaurants/hawkers.

[@TofuTeo]

@@noproblematallmate Now got no tourists so we support them lor. They're aged and need money more than Sheng Shiong. It's their livelihood.

[@thedamnhappygurl]

truly hard-earned money... this is why everytime I pass by them, I'll always go get a cup from them. esp when business is really bad these days... spending a little time asking them about their day if they're not occupied, and showing your appreciation will really make their day... wishing good health to uncle...

[@edwardlumsianming3430]

A true survivor, the last of his kind. This new generation cannot and will not do what he has done for so many years. It will go down in history

[@gwarguraqueentrickstarcoat9110]

These ice cream uncles are very hard to find now They only show up at tourist locations in Singapore

[@mikaelnadal6661]

@@gwarguraqueentrickstarcoat9110 true. when i was pri 1 to 6 there was ice cream uncle outside my school everytime. Now in JC when i send my brother to the same school he is no longer there and i find out from others that he went out of business because no one buying from him anymore

[@recklessdrivinginsingapore]

Unfortunately the youngsters now don't give a shit about this nowadays

[@clementihammock7572]

Our legend, the best budget unforgettable memory of Sg.

[@krollpeter]

McDonalds & Co. are having record turnover, while ice cream uncle and with him all the local food is dying. In 2 - 3 years there will be nothing left than junk food and a few luxury restaurants.

[@mustafaali9650]

Nah they’ll always make a return but now is definitely hard times for them and the community should do as much as they can to help nothing else can be done really not by the common people atleast

[@siddarthkoul3588]

Sad but true

[@botivarparvelious5569]

They want it that way ...I mean the people who issue permits...

[@CarbineKiller]

when i realised a lot of parents kept bringing their kids to Macs etc, i already saw the future generation as the junk food generation. so now that these kids have grown up, their brain is only satisfied by junk food. same with this emerging "IT generation", where instant-gratification is the only cattle feed they know and want.

[@shastasilverchairsg]

Some enterprising young fella will think of some "innovation" and turn it into a franchise. No doubt advised by MBAs or something.

[@xonatix1669]

Now I have the urge to visit bukit purmei just to buy ice cream from him… His love for ice cream and his job is really admirable!!

[@nonyakueh]

thank u for covering this story. instead spending ~$10 per serving from expensive ice cream shops (with "artisan" ice cream flavors) why not support the local uncle here? cheap and also delicious ~$1 ice cream. thank you uncle for the many years of selling this childhood nostalgic snack, for enduring the many hot and rainy days, and persevering even through the difficult covid times. wishing you the best of health.

[@Joseph6798-t6p]

Its not that. Its because of covid that Singaporeans like me cannot go down to support. If don't have covid I will go out and support this man everytime I go out really.

[@nonyakueh]

@@Joseph6798-t6p wishing you the best of health and speedy recovery!

[@sunchildtine]

you are right. too much emphasis on overseas influence. i am sick to death of those gimmicky stores & food we see everywhere. they might be good for instagram (which i don't care) but as far as culture is concerned, it is based on Western countries. If we do not take care of our own culture and long tradition. who else will.

[@Joseph6798-t6p]

@@nonyakueh aw thanks my brother has covid so I have to quarantine myself too😞

[@nonyakueh]

@@Joseph6798-t6p sorry to hear that :( wishing your brother and you good health.

[@kentang1528]

Been patronising his ice cream cart for years since the Takashimaya mall first opened...i am 36 years now... years flown by so damn fast. Uncle is a legendary and very passionate about his job which he is why he can maintain for so many years. Even the pandemic spurs him to fight on...highly respect his work ethics. I hope the pandemic ends as soon as possible too as i dont wish to see him suffer like this . And also to many Singaporeans out there who are suffering as well. I can only pray hard and looking forward to going back to our normal lives soon.

[@sajat717]

I wonder what government is doing?! I'd support this uncle way more than Mcd

[@Bunny11344]

Same

[@ceciliaregina5151]

Im a tourist here at SG. I had been here for almost to 2 months. The first time we are out from Quarantine, we definitely reached out this uncle. After the phase 2 had been declared, he is gone, i was wondering.. and thanks to mothership today! Hahahaa. I miss this uncle ice cream.

[@remy7663]

I used to go to Singapore a lot, always bought these ice creams whenever I see one. Haven't been there in years, but I hope this iconic tradition doesn't die out soon.

[@Louistan99]

Uncle you are really national icon👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@lisaoppa5784]

Would pay $5 for these ice creams. To me they’re worth more than $1+ because it’s my childhood and I am able to support these hardworking uncles!! Plus they really go out there and work their ass off under the sun to sell these ice creams so they deserve better!!

[@Bunny11344]

I’m tempted to tip him 100 dollars at this point he deserves it ❤

[@andrewfung101]

You guys forget there is one more legendary ice cream uncle selling at sim lim tower I think his the oldest among all the ice cream seller. Hopefully all this will last long and will not be forgotten.

[@domo83742739]

kudos to uncle for his commitment, allowing the younger generation to still be able to experience this!!

[@gwarguraqueentrickstarcoat9110]

Well they may not here be long cause Young people don't like this kind of job Too long and pay is very low He is one of the only people left that keep a part of Singapore history I used to eat from uncles like this a lot as one of them will set up his cart near my school It cheap and has a flavour I can't find at fairprice or giant

[@che283]

We tried this kind of ice cream cart with my family last year JAN2020 when we visited sg. We like it. I miss singapore. I will surely buy this ice cream again for my next visit 😍

[@blueloo1513]

太棒了，uncle yeah! 祝您顺利，健康。

[@void0921]

👍💯 Dedication is inspirational.

[@kahkengllneo12]

喜欢吃ice cream 卖ice-cream, 可以做自己喜欢的事，真让人羡慕，加油！！

[@createdbyjosephyeo]

Uncle can try go to all the tiktok-worthy places in Singapore where there are a lot of couples dating at, to sell his ice cream, Im sure he will do well. Really missed eating such ice cream after school when i was younger.

[@kentang1528]

You expect Uncle to know about the smartphone and apps era?

[@我愛貓貓-v7d]

When it comes to buying ice cream. I rather buy from the street vendors like the ice cream uncle, to support him.

[@heyyyyeee]

I dont see any around my area anymore. I remember when I primary 1 the ice cream auntie is outside the school and we all leave school then go get ice cream, big line sia. But now dunno where she go d

[@happylogz7734]

U see such a simple job i never would have expected could be so interesting i really hope that ice cream selling on a motorcycle doesnt die out

[@dchew5552]

seeing this video makes me craving for the ice cream with attap seed.

[@luciaindrawatilatief3287]

加油 Uncle Chieng 🌷

[@weilooney]

At times like this, go to a local eatery, support your own local community. Mac, KFC, MOS, LJS, Four Fingers or whatever, they won't lose as much as people as Uncle Chieng in terms of hours and money.

[@sunchildtine]

yeah, or go buy your favourite drinks from hawker centres. their coffee also very nice. too many people willing to pay extra $$$ for starbucks. this habit needs to change.

[@chngcheryl8675]

Uncle chieng pls come to ang mo kio and sengkang too. I miss old tradition ice cream yummy. Jia you uncle keep our dpirt alive. Legend of singapore. Hope it can be continue. What a waste if lost in sight

[@chngcheryl8675]

Spirit

[@shermainewong2900]

Used to work part time at taka when I was younger. Would often buy ice cream from uncle during my break provided that there wasn't a long queue of tourists!

[@solidandsoiled]

Jiayou ice cream uncle! will love to visit again at orchard road when restrictions lift

[@andrinaliau]

Whenever i go to taka ,i will sure go to buy his icecream,now i really miss the old time taste with atap seed ice cream shiok

[@aztechhy9479]

local ice cream man holds the hearts of many

[@ahyapchow2459]

JIA YU ICE CREAM UNCLE CHIENG, I MISSED YOUR ICE CREAM VERY MUCH, I AM SINGAPOREAN WORKING IN THE UNITED STATE.👍👍👍😋

[@sabby6602]

Just bought ice cream from uncle the other day ! Very nice guy 👍🏼

[@penguin4417]

Support Uncle Chieng!!

[@khim7855]

敬业乐业！雪糕大使！祝健康平安！

[@shastasilverchairsg]

When I want to buy ice cream from the pushcart auntie who randomly appears below my block, she is not there. And when I don't feel like buying, she is there.

[@Alphapunk2]

same

[@Noname-dr1jm]

Uncle u r awesome👏👏👏

[@Phantom0210]

I think is last year Dec I saw him after I ended my shift. Walking out of Taka and saw him. Wanted to munch bread ice cream but when I approach him, he say sold out liao. That was around 10pm +, I think? 7 ice cream cart vendors Uncle Chieng mention. Think I remember there’s one more at Paragon also.

[@5Grace111]

Uncle Chieng👋👋! 您要多保重啊! 希望再能够遇上您的 ice-cream 车，我要排队买ice-cream，还是你的 ice-cream🍦 最好吃! 我从小就爱吃这样有冰箱motor车的 ice-cream, 便宜又好好吃一点也吃不腻吔😋😋!!

[@KahKiatTan]

I dreamt of seeing him standing at ion with my dead dream gf outing and dating at there. There was once in real life went outing with friends and I really did seeing him exactly the same spot like in my dream.

[@chuaphilip4262]

One month 9k gone. Tourisr missing what a good businesses for all those based in orchard road. Normally one day earn 500

[@krisnanstravelvlogscomings3893]

We must help this uncle

[@budiarsyad6504]

Belum ke Singapore kalau belum mencicipi es krim uncle chieng. Sungguh rindu dengan singapore .

[@BlastmanDictionary]

Uncle so kind and humble! I don't mine my dad are like him. I will surely help him in selling Ice Cream, surely go viral if i help. Attractive Guy doing something often spark Virality. :) Anyway, Uncle Jia You! Respected Gentlemen doesn't necessary sit behind a Merc/BMW.

[@caroline6618]

my heart hurts when I listen to the uncle talk about difficult business has been for him. I hope you stay well uncle! :) see you at orchard when restrictions are lifted again

[@sasunonaruwa7782]

Talking abt orchard, I'm one of the pple who work around there... Indeed the business there is really bad right now...

[@chumi05]

🤤😋Yummy.. I'm missing our old school ice cream sandwich🍨🍧🍦 Hope uncle can consider & come to my neighbourhood @Toa Payoh Hub too🤧😭

[@mathewlovegod]

Nothing beats the local ice cream uncle!

[@frankaenstein]

Damn okay when I see an ice cream cart i’ll buy from them

[@heartbeadvlogs]

I miss Singapore :((

[@iskandarahmad6646]

my fav ice cream uncle…

[@limtaohui]

But still a lot of people in shopping malls… go nex..amk hub..or any neighbourhood mall and there’s lots of people outside still

[@yjchop1142]

Errrr, for those of you who complain about Gov supporting Mcd more than this uncle, do you know how many Singaporeans are employed by Mcd? Do you know what would happen to them if Mcd shut down? It is good that we now are more aware of the struggle of vendors like this uncle, but there is no point creating that sort of us vs them thinking especially when we are all in this tgt.

[@seanchiang6726]

Respect

[@kimxgamer]

Govt should support

[@kentang1528]

They sadly dont give a damn...they only care about taxpayers money and putting it into their deep fat pockets...

[@richmondang1591]

I"ll buy ice cream from him if I see him.

[@leehyunsong7001]

Who crave ice cream after watching this?

[@KYQ]

Fight on, you awesome ice-cream uncle man, you.

[@itznacho7033]

Please go to bishan street 22 blk 263 then I can have ice cream

[@kurowasandwich]

i've been craving the ice cream wrapped in bread and i can't seem to find any ice cream uncles around me these days :(

[@fitrichunmin7722]

Uncle come to my block lah ...

[@Tintutorsabido]

❤❤❤❤

[@IhateAdamfrommyschoolplayfacto]

Legend

[@afinguyen4573]

👍👍👍

[@johnvincentgonzales639]

i am a tourist sg and whenever i visit sg i buy to the uncle/auntie on the sg ice cream...

[@xbowman001]

I have been craving this for awhile but unfortunately they dont seem to come by my neighbourhood

[@mrdog1997]

Can tag the 3 locations he currently serves ice cream at?

[@zhousiling6864]

Wah 56 years~~~~

[@AxelRaffasyaold]

Ice

[@nicst3373]

Who moved my cheese Oops ice-cream

[@kanyewest9497]

I bought from him when i was 7

[@sunchildtine]

nowadays, too much craze about froyo, artisan ice cream shop, bubble tea, Starbucks, name it - cut and paste franchise, they earning big bucks. stop making the rich richer. during this pandemic, support your local shops. use your money and support old timers like this uncle, old school bakeries or your local mama shop.

[@josephsingapore8742]

Circuit breaker 2 maybe extend. 7june 21 803pm

[@hanssolos3699]

i used to live in SG but never tried his ice cream. why? i had never saw him washing his hands, wear gloves or mask. and this was before covid pre 2019. i told my local friends about his personal hygiene that it did not meet my standards. but my local friends laughed at my absurdity and foreign arrogance. now watching this video, guess who is having the last laugh? but what was shocking was that the SG authorities gave him a pass to operate without proper hygiene protection. smh.

[@MVs1940]

Bread Ice-Cream damn best.

[@jarrodyuki7081]

hes istj a good one.

[@edchankoonleung]

安得广厦千万间，大庇天下寒士俱欢颜

[@kingsufi6164]

Important eh to have such ice cream man around ochard road. But its ok uncle, you linga ling near hdb area oooiiii people come down for sure. Also....... guys i just realized wow, yes, we can't eat ice cream in public.... can you believe it... @_@ T_T cries...... yeah but by hdb also still selling ah. Always hyped.

[@seng628]

lockdown all phase 2 ..lol

[@davidliu2243]

How do we survive without ice cream lol

[@kekw5153]

3:02 thaksin visited him cus he's wearing a red shirt i think only Thai people would get my joke but its ok lmfao

[@MrBoliao98]

He dammm Heng, he got his international license to do this. Some people stuck their lousy location for years, you sell 28 years there, earn also earn enough lor.

[@MrBoliao98]

@Rykiel Toh last time don't earn as much, the ice cream $1, now up 20cents makes a diff.

[@tombodoh]

Is he the New Balance uncle :)

[@mohdnaim8145]

Hahaha uncle when you get $700 a day ....never complaine

[@xthene]

ice cream is not healthy .... too much sugar ..............................

[@iamgreat1234]

Chinese occupied Singapore

[@malita354]

Just say Boh Bian and then move on

[@Joseph6798-t6p]

Stop bringing mcdonald or atas ice cream into this. It is not that. The reason why the uncle's ice cream business isn't doing well is because of covid. People are afraid to leave their homes now due to tighter restrictions and HBLs, work from homes, quarantines etc. Not to mention no more foreigners coming for a tour around Singapore. If it werent for covid many businesses cab sustain.

[@Juncicle]

i dont believe he earns 100-200 dollars pre pandemic, what a liar. at least tell the truth if you want to be interviewed.