How Much Do Hawkers REALLY Make??? | TDK Podcast

How much money does it take to start a hawker business? Will hawker culture disappear in the next 20 years? Wait, some parts of a duck taste better than others???
Melvin Chew, owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap at Chinatown Complex Food Centre (#02-156) shares his views and some juicy titbits on hawker life.
This episode is produced in collaboration with the National Environment Agency. For more information on NEA's hawker support programmes, visit go.gov.sg/neah...
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Cast:
• Johnathan Chua / johnathanchua
• Daniel Lim / danlim11
• Jonathan Paul / jonathanpaul.sxw
• Denise Oh / ohthedenise
Behind the Cam:
• Nashrul Merza
• Julian Chin
• Daren Khek
• Charlene Goh
• Amirul Nashtrie
Edited by:
Carmen Chuang

[@Javiertayy]

One of the funniest guests on the channel so far! 🔥Please bring him back!

[@kidozzz]

Support local hawkers by patronising their stalls directly instead of delivery platforms! The amount of money those platforms earn from these hawkers is insanely high, they don't earn much in the end!

[@sumit6190p]

Isn't the price of items on these delivery platforms already inflated to cover the commision charged by them?

[@truthenjoyer4423]

Most of them mark up their menu on delivery platform by 15-30% to offset the platform fees. Those are on delivery platforms rather have some business from delivery platform because some income is better than no income.

[@TheWil989]

Melvin was my childhood friend, he is a very hardworking chap. Great to see him having his speech on his profession.

[@sumit6190p]

Was??

[@yzeuthium]

was friend now spouse

[@junhimself]

This guy can be stand up comedian 😂

[@CapDingo1975]

the way he speaks gave me flashbacks of Mr Brown "bak chor mee"

[@martinbrock713]

The most common misconception is how Hawker Food is supposed to be cheap food. This has never been the case historically. Hawker food was always an occasional treat for the working-class in the 60s and the 70s. At that time, most families cooked at home, occasionally indulging in hawker food. It was only in the 80s, where we had a larger population with greater spending power, that hawker food seemed in comparison to be cheaper. Dining was concentrated amongst hawker food due to the lack of full-service restaurants. 😊

[@heyilikeable]

It is supposed to be cheap food. The government pushed the cheap street vendors into hawker centres for hygiene purposes. Hawker centre became the new street food.

[@kay7139]

The most common misconception is how cooking at home is the cheaper option. Having the time to shop for groceries, meal-prep or cook at home daily, for the typical working class adults, are very impractical. Hawker food is the most economical and time-saving. Very few people have the luxury of time to cook nowadays. Unless of course you are blessed to stay with your retired parents or have helpers to do all that.

[@malita354]

Hope all sg youtube channels get sponsored Under One Roof.

[@hlee2]

It is not a misconception. Read and watch the debates that happen in parliament, as well as on social media space. Hawker food is touted as cheap and affordable.

[@RandomPerson-tz7wk]

@Kay Highly depend on your skill level and what you're cooking. With small investing in cooking skill it would safe you more long term. There a lot of simple meal and recipes to follow. In total it took me 4 hours buy and prep food for a week 3 meal a day. Average time to cook meal is 20 minutes or less. Just dump food on stove and set the rice cooker. Get marinated chicken rice similar to nando chicken for around hawker price. Better portion and value.

[@PaperPlay_]

this channel is more forward singapore than the ones that crafted forward singapore. thanks for yet another fantastic session!

[@malita354]

Ya, hope all sg youtube channels go under 1 roof and sponsored by our leaders for a better singapore.

[@kahhengyeong7947]

This dude should have his own movie "Hawker No Enough"

[@Its_a_me_WSA]

I love this interview topic. Glad you guys invited Melvin. Future idea: bring people from other industries to share about their jobs - much more interesting than gossipy topics like dating and relationships

[@icuteffu]

Mr. Melvin Chew is damn funny la please get him back again soon!

[@tigerbeer1231]

I like the super local singlish

[@ashleyyee2746]

This may be one of my favourite episodes!! Usually guests on the show are highly educated if not then they've achieved something great in their field (ofc this includes Mr. Melvin as well) but thus episode brought it "back to the basics" in a sense? Hawkers are so ingrained into our daily lives that we often overlook and take them for granted so I love how someone from the hawker scene gets a chance to be in the spotlight and share his experience and livelihood that we take for granted. Hopefully this episode will resonate with people and encourage people to be more grateful, appreciative and mindful about food wastage when we're consuming hawker food or food in general, instead of complaining.

[@kobekobekobekobekobe]

This guy super funny but it’s like, logic ah

[@zooanimal7578]

Melvin can see sibei steady one sia HAHHAA

[@minchutong9296]

To all youngster out there, please abolish the mindset that hawker food now SHOULD be cheap. Yes the original concept should be affordable and comfy, please reminded that all the inflation, rising cost of raw materials make it so difficult to keep it “low”. Hawkers nowadays still need adapt to the “healthy” benchmark and at the same time make it tasty on their food, this is not easy at all. Imagine your Ngoh Hiang being not oily and bland?! Imagine your curry not creamy and spicy?! So for those people still kpkb yr hawker food being expensive, you better cook yourself at home. Salute to Melvin and young hawkers out there, who choose to this route which nothing short of hardship, long hours and dedication

[@bryandream1832]

Melvin is naturally so funny!

[@geraldlwk]

Love this! Melvin is a real vibe.

[@Qoonutz]

His stall not bad. Good braise, decent portions. Yes, he got "black face" but overall okay la. Good video.

[@jasonchua9112]

Ordered JinJi Braised Duck quite a few times. The taste suits me!

[@manyue2003]

A lot of Hawker centre rent in the past was subsidize by the govt. These days it is all tender. This is the least the govt can do if they want to encourage this culture. Go back to subsize rent.

[@noproblematallmate]

The problem now is those subsidise rental stalls dont want operate and instead sublet to new hawkers. So they act as a landlord. In the end, no supply of available stalls for bidding. Therefore all rental bidding very high. Somemore we need pay for the 'landlords' who do nothing and only collect rental. Alot alot of them. Its a open secret.

[@wT0n9]

just witnessed another hawker (tze char) wrapping up their operations because of rising rental costs. at this rate, we're going to lose our food culture and legacies soon.

[@KingfisherSG]

It’s funny that we are willing to pay $15 for a ramen, pasta but not willing to pay the same for a nasi lemak with better ingredient. Case in point, Mdm. Kwan’s nasi lemak has chicken, rendang.

[@Leo-gb1mo]

Anything you buy from hawker or food court suka suka $4 minimum liao. Hard to find cheap food.

[@sunchildtine]

thanks for this episode. love our hawker uncles & aunties. i'm not really into franchised brands, mall food court and westernized local food, you can't beat the good old hawker food setting. it's timeless. i admire the young gen who decided to continue their family stalls, one example is Redhill Satay Beehon's son. it's a dying trade, therefore we all must do our part to persevere and support local small businesses. even if you feel like wanting to give up your 9-6 job for a shot of a different path, i'd say more power to you! 💪

[@cashmerehazel21]

I miss the original four hosts. Was watching some older clips and felt they were more authentic, the conversation flow was true bantering, the vibe was really like chatting with my friends.

[@jefftayproduction]

Sounds like Kim Huat 🤣 Nice episode 👍🏻🤗

[@JohnathanChuaa]

LOL

[@jefftayproduction]

Guess you agree with me HHAHA 🤣 Great content btw, always looking forward for the next episode 🤗

[@pearlynlo8095]

😂 LOL .. the way Melvin answers questions is hilarious! 👍🏻 thoroughly enjoyed this podcast :))

[@g.o.a.t4393]

they make honest money. respect to them

[@mayshinmon]

Love this episode 😂. Way to go Melvin.. 💪🏻🫰

[@runninginprogress7632]

This chef if want a career change can do stand up comedy man! Super funny guy

[@malita354]

This channel should be awarded Community Service award despite having the benefits of being Sponsored. The channel owner a millionaire already? I watch this channel almost every week

[@limian3599]

Roast duck more expensive because you need to buy the APOLLO mah. Mind running, 3, 2... Died laughing 😂😂😂😂😂

[@minnlee7141]

Putting a face behind HawkerUnited. But he is so funny. "🦆 where got ear?"

[@ameliatan0309]

Melvin is the full package; intelligent, hardworking, humble and of course, humorous.

[@CapDingo1975]

Enjoyed the vibe of this conversation. Melvin sounds like a nice down to earth fellow :)

[@BeachBoi1000]

Lol😂the intro..😂

[@JtubeYouTube]

We should support local hawkers, even if it means paying abit more. Better than spending in mall food courts or cafe.

[@terence3908]

Very interesting episode. Kudos to Melvin and the DK crew

[@jaylinnyc]

I’m an English and Chinese speaker, I can only understand half of what these guys are talking about.😅

[@h3llmag3]

Lmao Wang lei ah 鸭是公的还是母的

[@elilo5867]

What an adorable mushroom head 😊

[@sumit6190p]

I love the uncle's English accent.

[@ไปไหนก็ได้ตามใจเป็ด]

Power bro i will go down to have kew jub 😃

[@benwong2061]

Algoooooooooooooooooooo

[@priscilla7425]

uncle damn funny!! hahaahahah love this episode

[@noproblematallmate]

Robot can. Its just the wrong robot.

[@HedraanDass-r2g]

Probably the best, non pretentious guest I've seen. Thanks guys for bringing Melvin on board

[@monikasetiaharta5327]

Laksa

[@jejunegamingtv1359]

Just watched this video Damn funny this guy Bring him back pls!

[@AK8901]

Hawker culture is very very important to Singapore. Good to have people like Melvin keeping it alive. Also, we should appreciate the proactiveness of our government in their efforts to support the hawker culture.

[@ericchionh9766]

My favourite hawker dish: braised duck with ears intact which gender is known to me. Where's his stall again? I'll go order from him.

[@fiddlfox]

great episiode!

[@Andy0770]

The rule of thumb is don't speak to hawker when they chopping food. Pls for their safety sake.

[@leehyunsong7001]

I dont know why they blame the customers, this is free market. No body stop you to increase prices, Malaysia Thailand hawkers also can make it, why Singapore cannot? Maybe it is the taste and food quality. And also some portions are really not enough for one meal.

[@wz758]

Second

[@alvinkuo]

Have always been sharing to others that our hawker food is ridiculously cheap as a first world nation. Yes, we do have people who struggle with their expenses but by making food so cheap, the foreign professionals in Singapore are also also paying cheap for their food. Same goes for public transport, it is ridiculously cheap and drivers aren't paid well enough to attract locals to do it.

[@samuelyuherng3531]

First

[@durianboleh888]

The high rental cost (bidding system/ "market" rate), coupled with rising cost of raw materials determines the prices of hawker food.

[@wk3960]

Scary life.. Long hours and no life

[@stevenlim9378]

this is not just about experience... sometimes its about passion to do it . just dont take it as a hobby to cook. if you feel that this is your only way of getting income, then this can be turn into your passion. Your passion to cook. i also wanted to say that .. this is also partially your luck also.

[@JT-jn8hx]

I just ate from that stall earlier for dinner.... Sedap!

[@Aaleeexy]

should video eating his at his store . :D

[@Shark33Pistol]

So how much do hawkers really make??? 😅

[@rubbishyt]

Funny video respect for Melvin

[@kitsura]

I love the pig organ soup. The name of the stall should be Monan.

[@jamiesee4151]

Hah then come malaysia eat lo

[@tingblubblub6106]

Hahaha, I was watching him beat a steady drumming on his 2 fingers. Oh my! Distracting

[@common9]

Inflation causes price increase everywhere in d world. Be appreciative & supportive..!

[@stefgoh6160]

I hv always known tt life as a hawker is extremely tough, thus their constant discouragemt to their offspring to inherit the trade. If I ever take it up, it wld be probably my last resort at trying to make ends meet. After all, taste is VERY SUBJECTIVE & one man’s meat is another man’s poison. 🤔 🧐 🤨

[@Vi3ioN_BTC]

That laughter. hahaha

[@yzeuthium]

this uncle legit carried the whole podcast 🤘

[@JJJJJYT2205]

God is the best ever

[@MightyCrazy]

Accent is so thick it’s hard to understand for non Singaporeans.

[@crystal8537]

This is a SINGAPOREAN channel 😂

[@vansonthewall8]

Jin ji braised duck is the bomb

[@g.o.a.t4393]

CKT will never extinct sia. just need to cook it better

[@agentstory3693]

Thanks for the insightful session guys! I must say Melvin is hilarious!

[@noproblematallmate]

Give subsidised/free food to cleaners alot drama one. Why he have I don't have? Then some everyday come eat yours because free. Like wtf leh

[@marcietan]

You want to give free food then don’t be so stingy to care if someone goes and eat everyday. If you are stingy then don’t give.

[@melvinchew1341]

Don't turn your problem into our problem la. There are so many why which nobody can explained lei.

[@hx6499]

another w ep

[@madxp9668]

hawker really made alot of money My friend and his brother both selling chicken rice at different place Both made a fortune , owning multiple houses , shoplots and sport cars , even ask me if I want to do chicken rice at another place Cook their rice n chicken at 8 then close shop at 3pm .... sibeh senang

[@melvinchew1341]

Wah piang! Then u faster go be a hawker sell chicken rice la. Mai tu liao

[@marcietan]

But some hawkers really one kind. Stingy with Chili. For what? Some people need a lot of Chili for their food, some people don’t take Chili, so it evens out. Can’t stand those hawker who don’t want to give u more Chili.

[@noproblematallmate]

Offer to pay for more chilli la. Your parents never teach you manners? Chilli sauce cost money leh. Want more pay more la Be humble abit. People dont owe you unlimited chilli. You pay same price as the old auntie in front of you and you expect MORE cost. You think chilli free? Chilli cost at least $0.10 a portion leh.

[@marcietan]

@@noproblematallmate what I want to say is my problem. Who are u to stop me. You are probably one of those lowlife hawker who sim stingy with chili. Just close shop.

[@marcietan]

@@noproblematallmate you have no manners yourself so you probably have no parents to teach you manners too.

[@twgok3162]

@@noproblematallmate if u ask for ketchup and they don't give who the hell will offer to pay more.

[@leehyunsong7001]

@@noproblematallmate good lor, people choose not to eat. Kindness go both way. Hawker gua lan we also can be mean.

[@hx6499]

cb i thought that was kim jung un sia

[@lpclpc]

Wok of taste char kway teow at upper Boon Keng market is really good!

[@malita354]

Why not follow some chicken rice hawker stalls using our great man's photos and great man son's photos to attract likeminded customers? Will this bring them some partisan business?

[@wtan1851]

Interestingly, the word "hawkers" refers to mobile street vendors who sell inexpensive food. Hence "hawker center" is a misnomer. In the past, hawkers created many issues such as public health, waste disposal (especially used oil), illegality, and competition with coffee shop tenants. The government moved them to hawker centers (especially in HDB estates) to give them a stable and legal means of earning a living as well as address public health issues.

[@martinbrock713]

Expectations of cheap hawker food both by consumers and the State is nothing new. What is new, however, is the doubling down that our current government is doing into our hopelessly flawed and unsustainable model of providing affordability of food. The new Social Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHCs), who have explicit rules of price control, as well as unrealistic, market-pegged rents, will further entrench the role of hawker centres as Singapore’s informal soup kitchen, and at the expense of eating the hawkers that work there. I’ve always held the view that hawker food is too cheap, and there are more efficient ways of delivering aid for the low income and as well as the elderly. A national food voucher situation will allow hawkers to raise prices for those that can afford it, and at the same time effectively target subsidies to people who can’t.

[@malita354]

Partly logical but subsidies can easily be hacked innthe sense thay sellers can raise the prices much higher such that the subsidies are neutralised if that makes sense

[@limwilson88]

I was listening to it from spotify and i thought its MR BROWN trying to mimic a local hawker! The similarity of their voice is uncanny. LOL

[@pikepushup]

Really relatable and funny podcast to someone in FnB 🤣🤣 Came at a really good time for my own journey personally 🙏🫡 Keep up the good work and interesting guests guys big fan of the best podcast in sg 😬💪