Singapore's Street Food: Surviving COVID-19 | 101 East

Singapore’s street food is a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage and identity.
But as COVID-19 hits hard, hawkers face a stark choice - innovate or admit defeat.
Ageing vendors are grappling with new digital ways of working, while younger ones struggle to attract customers amid Singapore’s worst-ever recession.
As deliveries soar during the pandemic, two entrepreneurs are stepping up to help older hawkers boost sales. Meanwhile, a chef is bringing hawker food into homes by creating a simplified version of a beloved dish, but at a steep price.
101 East investigates how the pandemic is changing Singapore’s hawker culture.
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[@muik7568]

To prevent the hawker trades from dying a natural death in the coming years, Singaporeans must be willing to pay more. People are prepared to pay at least 6S$for a piece of cake or a sandwich which is assembly of pre-cooked food or a starbucks coffee. Why not pay 50 cents more for a bowl or plate of noodles which is individually cooked? The hawkers also need to make a decent living.

[@kenny6921]

i truly agree with you, i thumbs up as well. BUT what about the older generation? knn increase 50cents may be nothing to u but it may be alot different for them.

[@justsaus9897]

This is due to rising rental costs in one sense. Rentals of up to $8k, $10k++ in some airconditioned areas, is unsustainable. Thats why so many stores are now taken by corporations who can afford it. Unfortunately, this makes the food everywhere repetitive ; chicken rice is always ABC, mixed vegetable rice is always XYZ, zi chars are always DEF, noodle stores are always VWX.

[@lancengo]

@@justsaus9897 when big coffee shops are transacted at 10s of millions they won't be able to recover without charging high rent. however, they did a better job with attracting crowd. The problem with the current hawker centre like it or not its the aging operator who are no longer able to operate for long hours maximising the returns on fixed cost. NEA have strict guideline of operators need to be there and not allow to hire people to run the business. The result is the stall being inefficiently used

[@NewmaticKe]

I agree

[@yangtung]

Natural death of Hawker food is not going to happen. Singaporeans are pragmatic. People prepared to pay at good hawker food. It is not the cost of dollars and cents but good bowl or plate of noodles individually cooked? The hawkers also need to make a decent living. The customers love good cheap food. In a capitalist society, life is brutal and unforgiving. Hawkers survive, customers determine by their stomachs and cents in the pocket. Life is cruel. It goes on. "Survival of the fittest, quote Adam Smiths".

[@Kevin-gm7gx]

I've stayed in Singapore in 2018 for couple of months. The street food in Singapore is unique in this world! Great that this is official now recognized from UNESCO. Totally deserved. Greetings from Germany:)

[@ayatkhalid4313]

5w2ia333.1mm jJJJK Ki yhvkk m41w La ĶKMmm

[@joytotheworldddd]

Guten tag. :) welcome to Singapore!

[@Kevin-gm7gx]

@@joytotheworldddd haha thanks 😊 I wish I could visit Singapore at the moment ...

[@brendamoraa8443]

@@Kevin-gm7gxhey

[@-im-conifium662]

If I ever come to Singapore I’m going to eat from as many hawker stalls as I can. These hawkers deserve much more than they’re currently getting

[@lidyas7059]

I love going to Hawker Centres, soooo many choices. Too bad this pandemic make it difficult to visit Singapore.

[@-im-conifium662]

@@lidyas7059 There are so many that I want to go to

[@vthomas2313]

God Bless these hard workers🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@randomsgvideoguy3972]

I'm a SINGAPOREAN and I've been supporting HAWKERS in Singapore. Long live SINGAPORE HAWKERS.

[@bharathdev1732]

Me too bro

[@livingfinance]

I dont know why but I am so touched by these hardworking families. It's amazing to see. young person to do what he loves.

[@redbeanbee8184]

I really enjoyed watching this series about the hawker food in Singapore. It brings back lots of childhood memories as I am a Singaporean living abroad. The hawker food will only continue if they are passed down to the next generation or they have a successor. I think not a lot of people from the younger generation wants to be a hawker because of the income they expect to earn especially they have an higher education. Not everyone wants to become a hawker because of their passion for cooking, it takes time,dedication and hardship. The cost of living is also another factor if it’s profitable to be a hawker. This video makes me appreciate hawker more because of their dedication and their service. They should increase their prices when they need, they should not compromise on their profits.

[@neonmanas5568]

Salute to Singaporean hawkers. Greetings from India 🇮🇳

[@Sonam_just_being_honest.]

Human's abnormality in paying: it pains us to give extra cent to small businesses or stalls (and the never ending bargain) but willingly throw away hundreds of dollars in the name of brands or their logos :(

[@terryborg9670]

Hello friend

[@PinoyFlavor]

we ❤️ Singapore's hawker food culture👍🏼 Wishing them the best🙏🏼

[@jypjanejessicaparker3562]

I agree

[@ipman9165]

I wish that they return the food tray after eating instead of leaving it at the table.

[@thatkoalabear]

Thank you so much Al Jazeera for the feature 💙🙏🏻 love from Singapore 🇸🇬

[@benjorikkolindo4441]

I'd also be willing to pay more for these small business, they are integral part of the community and are the real ones committed to providing great quality food.

[@SasikumarArasaratnam]

Things will change .. Old things will fade . New things will come !! Singapore will always finds its way.

[@cck53sg]

For those who love to debate who has better foods. Its not about that. Its more about our culture of hawking which grew out of street food hawkers, collective memories growing up eating at hawkers, which form our Singaporean identity.

[@eduardoking8402]

To preserve hawker culture, Singaporeans must be reasonable and willing to pay a bit more for the food. They can't expect the hawkers to slough away day after day working long hours preparing the delicious food and selling them at dirt cheap prices year after year with no increase in price...the cost of inflation needs to be factored in.

[@joharkepol]

What about those low income citizen? Spare a thought for them.

[@NewmaticKe]

I agree with Eduardo

[@jefurihartono1630]

@@joharkepol Those hawker is example of low income citizens though if we see from all those pain they received and in the end they also have little economic benefits.

[@tuckerbugeater]

Then charge more money! If people don't want buy their product they'll go out of business. That's capitalism.

[@Love_Help]

I am watching from country of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿

[@khanadam320]

Salaam alikum

[@danistanneveld880]

Nice❤️ me from Holland Amsterdam ✌️

[@get2rog]

From the United Kingdom. Praying they get through these tough times.

[@Love_Help]

@@get2rog thank you🙏

[@andyly6190]

Really hope the Hospitality industry can pick up again in 2021. It's been a tough year.

[@dannyismanoe6023]

Already Feb 21 : corona is still going strong n even getting stronger 🙄

[@MarkzOng]

Everything fried with pork lard made it 100% better 🥺

[@Alan-Aus]

I love the OG chefs from the hawkers, so much history & culture!

[@broccolifan6971]

These kinds of delicious street foods will always stay alive as long as human beings stay alive, hang tough and tight believing in faith and good spirits behind everything.

[@Alan-Aus]

i worked in the office 10-11 hours a day, i also suffered from aches on my neck, back and shoulder (not to mention work stress, mental health issues), every occupations have their own health issues! We are not made to work like a slave, our body just can’t handle it!

[@schadenfreude6274]

As if complaining on a KZbin video will help.

[@get2rog]

Alan: I am in the same position as you. Now I have spondylosis in my neck and lower back which has caused nerve damage. I can't carry anything heavy and I can only walk a few yards before the pain is too great. Thing is I used to be very strong and worked out five times a week. You don't think that working in an office could do so much damage to your body but it can.

[@Alan-Aus]

@@get2rogagreed, chinese blue collar people always say to me, you are so lucky, work in the office so good, fully air conditioning, so sun!

[@apsaraangel4940]

Instead of asking consumers to pay more, can't the landlord decrease the rental to help too.

[@nadiaadams126]

an extra $1 from the consumers can help.. even $0.50. The hawker prices should increase whether the landlords decrease the rentals or not.

[@Kai-gj7mk]

Haven't lived in Singapore for almost 10 years now. Once Covid is over, going to make it a point to go back to Singapore just to eat at hawker centres.

[@realcomments]

"you gonna sit and swat flies while your soup reduce to a sauce at the end of the day" - savage!

[@RAM-km8bx]

Yes we just got UNESCO recognized MR lee kuan yew would be proud 😭😭🙏🙏🙏

[@kingashoka7589]

This is great video about my favorite Singapore Hawker center! One of the best and affordable food and very hard working citizens! Salute to the great Leader Late LKY. 🙏⚘

[@nurfazly]

Thk you we are honoured. Thank you hawkers and delivery riders.

[@ven.weerakodiyanenandarath2673]

Singapore 🇸🇬 is My second Motherland . May the Buddha bless my beloved Singapore

[@NORIaquaCh]

I respect that you included KF Seetoh in this documentary. I highly respect him.

[@gotoeceaerx]

oh gosh that old lady is so sweet she cant and wont stop working reminds me of my grandma and wife the wont stop attitude

[@zenfonedavid4466]

when i visited singapore 12 years ago, the chinese food in china town are thecheapest and generous in portion, they taste delicious too. even compared to my country, its price-portion ratio is better. hainan chicken rice there is the best

[@muik7568]

@hawker heroes, I respect your motivation to help older hawkers with online orders. How about tie up with a telco shop which can provide a large screen phone or tablet pre-loaded with the app in Chinese and to support them on how to use.

[@michaelfoxkebe3953]

How are you doing today and how is the weather condition over there

[@IanPaulSaligumba]

I miss Chicken Rice so much 😢😭 I can’t wait to visit Singapore again and eat in a Hawker Center once Covid19 is over 🙏

[@robertosale7339]

Singapore foods have unique flavor that everyone will enjoy to eat but because of this Pandemic all the Hawkers stall are slowly closing down and that is the saddest thing to happen hopefully 2021 will be better year for each one of us in this world and can save the Singapore food businesses too Happy New Year everyone good luck good health and good life 2021

[@redrose4410]

I miss SINGAPORE..

[@chauminh]

Merci, the food looks so yummy plus the heat omg. Bring a fan

[@Vincent7385]

Love those comfort cultures foods.

[@andreaquino1114]

just put it on my bucket list to eat Hawker food in Singapore

[@207history2011]

With so much food to select, it is really hard to migrate to other places..haha

[@certifiedist]

So true.. been working in Singapore for 9years, moved here in au. I so miss SGfood.

[@Zinteus]

I love hawkers for their taste and affordability however I think it's time for them to increase their prices. The new generation is so willing to spend $8 on bubble tea but not for a good meal? Kinda ridiculous if you ask me

[@datianlongan5567]

God blessed the hawkers, they are the hardest working human beings on this planet! Hang in there, all will be well in 2021.

[@tokorame606]

I used to fly to Sing at least once a month for whatever reasons, but now.. its almost a year.. ohh I miss Sing so much !

[@hufrags]

Thank you for this hearty content!

[@watertony7754]

I miss so much of Singapore food

[@Piggypuggy]

Wah.. Singapore’s 🇸🇬 Hawker centres are ALIVE AND THRIVING now! Char kway teow 20 pax queue ah! March 2021.

[@Treesandgrass1030]

That food looks AMAZING!

[@foodleveling]

Singapore street food nice and unique I Food Leveling

[@ክላሲካል]

This is not an accident when you read this. I want you to know that EVERYTHING GONNA BE ALRIGHT.Blessings upon blessings come to you daily. Everything you NEED is on its way! You are healthy. You are strong. Wealth is on its way!You are blessed beyond measure. You are loved. Accept this for this your TRUTH. I Bless YOU ALWAYS with every good that YOU deserve.

[@tanveerwb]

this documentary is definitely an eye opener for the entire world.

[@mobylink4381]

For a start, rentals have to be lower. The rental is too high. Also aunties and uncles should stop saying things like "Why you so young become hawker, should work in office " this mindset has to change. Hawkers is a respected trade like any other trade if not more since they toll hard to bring affordable food to the table

[@MrBoliao98]

If you're lucky in a housing estate, you're btr off. I was more worried about my downtown hawker.

[@jeanjeresano9578]

i rlly wanna eat in hawkers centre. i hope theyre still in the business when i finally have the chance to eat there ^^

[@leonardoluga5434]

SINGAPORE GOOD STREET FOOD DELICIOUS

[@marlenesabiooliva7667]

Every time we go to Singapore, foremost in my bucket list is to eat at the Hawker’s Center. I want to eat at different center. A 50 cents or dollar increase in price is negligible to sustain the business. It is like in the printing business. Many young generation don’t want to continue their parent’s business because of the time and efforts spent. If the business is not paying good, why continue the business? The hard work, the long hours, the sacrifices … and all those stuff, who can do it? We do business because we want to earn a decent income. How can we focus on the endeavor if we lack something? God bless to all!

[@sciencemathtutorial]

For the question: why Singaporean just *simply* pay the extra dollar to increase the streetfood price? The answer is that, the people who rely on cheap foods to survive are people who NOT make a lot of money! It's not that they not willing to pay more. Despite of being an insanely expensive country, Singapore people are very under paid. Some people are too poor to afford the starbucks someone below mentioned. For example: single mothers, seniors. As you can see in the video, the seniors cant survive without 3 month jobless. That's why they know if they increase the food price. Some people will be hungry.

[@vinitpunyarthi6502]

brought me back down the memory lane. I hope one day in my life i will get back the hawker centre food again. Absolute delicious. I hope in some way i might become useful to the people. I will try my best ot be even if i am far away

[@gwgeorgi1]

God bless Singapore hawkers

[@dave-oh3549]

What a beautiful story.

[@dendencomendador4867]

Now we see the power of social media

[@jameslatief1]

10-15% profit margin is ridiculous! I was expecting at least a 100% profit margin. They really deserve to raise their prices by at least 100% and the government need to heavily subsidize their rents if they want to preserve this. In the end, it's business and if the profitability is lucrative enough, there will be young people who are willing to do it.

[@andrewbritten6311]

Great video I was born in Johur Baru as Dad was Navy. Long Live Singapore!

[@umairmurtaza5227]

What a great report! Loved Singaporean hawker food while there in 2018

[@lanahanbrian0]

Calls it street food but it's cooked, served, and eaten in what looks like a shopping mall food court.

[@get2rog]

Praying for all the hawkers. I hope you get through this.

[@iDelta77]

This Covid 19 I cursed it everyday!!

[@nygothuey6607]

There are many different factors at play here. Covid19 was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

[@JoJo-es7tc]

Most restaurants here in Scotland, opened to take away and deliver

[@JoJo-es7tc]

@niduoe stre 😥

[@jerrypeter1403]

A beautiful woman with a beautiful smile How about today how is the weather over there

[@khunpingpong]

I really admired Singapore’s street food, they are super clean, great looking, super organized, and well-establish. I prefer food in India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong kong.

[@limrosemary8536]

meaning is ?

[@manishgrg639]

India?

[@khunpingpong]

@@limrosemary8536 Similar to KFC, McDonald, and so on. it lacks the unique cultural taste in its own rights due to laws and restrictions. not to mention their first generation taste better.

[@Jahblessed4321]

When ever I travel I always go for street food its just the best😋 Papa always use to tell me off for eating street food, but I loved the taste and company. Hope they find a way in this ever charging climate🙌🏾❤

[@danielmal1125]

Hello friend nice meeting

[@Jahblessed4321]

@@danielmal1125 nic meeting you too x

[@danielmal1125]

@@Jahblessed4321 where are you from

[@Jahblessed4321]

@@danielmal1125 I'm in Kent at the mo

[@danielmal1125]

@@Jahblessed4321 are you on WhatsApp or telegram will can know each other more better if you don't mind

[@FrankWu]

In Singapore there is a lot online food ordering apps delivery services such as Grab and Food panda for Hawker Center stores to run their business but using online food ordering apps delivery services such as Grab and Food panda . They take cut from business sales

[@RainSunRain]

yeah daylight robbery, they charge 30%. Hawkers have no choice but to raise their prices, but how many people would want to pay $5-6 for a chicken rice?

[@willsalazarramirez5139]

FROM SOUTH AMÉRICA, CITY OF CHICLAYO 🇵🇪 🙋.... OKEY... 🇸🇬 ♥.

[@michaelfoxkebe3953]

How are you doing today and how is the weather condition over there?

[@willsalazarramirez5139]

@@michaelfoxkebe3953 good the weather very sun, summer hot in Peru bro.

[@wanzaitoonwanmohamad2627]

ALFATIHA SURAH AL NABA' AL AZIM ALLAH SWT

[@soulz5907]

1:45 This guy reminds me of obama no joke

[@bananapeaches6370]

7:50 and this guy reminds me of KFC

[@tiernanseth]

The cost of everything else in Singapore has risen substantially, rent is very high, primary food inputs are very high, but Hawker food remains very very cheap. Too cheap. Hawker prices have not kept up with the rate of inflation. Cheap foreign labour is not the answer as this will cause other problems. Perhaps cap rents? Or create a public campaign about the importance of paying small 10-20% increases for Hawker food. I’m honestly in awe of their amazing work ethic!!

[@sumerTV]

Everyone~ Take care of the ongoing covid19 and cold wave, and be full of happiness. Have a warmer New Year with your family than ever. I always wish you good health and good health in the new year. * For some ancestors, spring does not grow old even in cold winter Everyone moves according to the season. Since it is said that the sky does not get on time and does not change, I have no doubts that I will overcome difficult and difficult times with dreams and hopes.

[@richardt1792]

There is a simple solution but I doubt it would fly in Singapore. Singapore is meticulous about cleanliness. If these hawkers could set up on the street or in church or temple parking lots, they would be able to serve their customers that are working from home. The hawkers would have some start up expenses to be able to be mobile but that could be minimal. I live in Los Angeles, there are tens of thousands of street vendors selling mostly Central American cuisine, tacos, tamales, pupusas, bacon wrapped hotdogs and so on. The food is cheap and taste and quality is often better than the best restaurants. Some are doing all their food prep on a $450 food cart. These street vendors are seen all over Southeast Asia.

[@kaufengshan3798]

As one of the hawker said the rental of this shop are high, that is one of the reason lot of this center are close, no help from the gov ? or just want to make ton of monies

[@justsaus9897]

Everything owned by CORPORATIONS! NTUC Foodfare. Kopitiam. Koufu. That's why during the election, sengkang residents raised a key issue: hawker food. They are tired of the same brand's veg rice, chicken rice, etc, all over singapore. Go to koufu and you'll see all the stalls are owned by, you guessed it. corporations.

[@goldbrodidoggo]

Examples of ultra riches wants to save money and keep being rich forever

[@IanPaulSaligumba]

11:57 I also miss Nasi Lemak so much 😢😭

[@FrankWu]

That means these Singapore Street Food Hawker Center . Will have to put the price up of meal price to cover cost.

[@InfinityFlame]

good

[@metalextras]

Cheap labor cost is indeed essential for Hawker culture to thrive after the pandemic subsided, offering specific working permits for Malaysian and Indonesian (ASEAN) workers may actually ideal solution as their taste buds are quite similar...

[@nadiaadams126]

It’s not the same... they’ll try to reduce cost so use inferior ingredients. It’s different with the OG hawkers.. the food is their legacy.

[@mohammadasifrao4190]

i think people have to realize that things are expensive so do the hawker food. its a very good food and hawker should charge accordingly so young people want to go in this trade .

[@ChiaJem]

Hawker food is still the best

[@joniantipolisi4039]

Kaget Marcus Horizon bisa bahasa mandarin trus banting stir jadi wartawan di Singapur

[@petergriffin9902]

Eat it for work.. Yum

[@sin7wu]

i hope things changes for the better. If not, then there will only be McDonalds and KFC everywhere. Who wants that? I rather have hawker food any day.

[@g_y.rtz420]

man im starving need to go back

[@michaelfoxkebe3953]

How are you doing today and how is the weather condition over there

[@flippantweirdo4362]

Really inspiring,as always singaporeans!!!

[@markbaker2370]

Very hard working Chinese . Keep up the good work .

[@tonyg8949]

8:00 He looks exactly like a senior Mike from Strictly Dumpling

[@TableTennis-Man]

Good to close down..a lot of black sheep hawkers because of high rental costs..high price low grade food.

[@fuqingshen]

That 10% - 15% profit margin is unreal. Most hawkers make much more than that.

[@wanzaitoonwanmohamad2627]

AL AZAB AL QIAMAT AL AKBAR AL NAR ALLAH SWT

[@catherinesoh3962]

Be more sensitive to the rental and overheads of hawkers. They are paying with their sweat and blood to keep customers satisfied. The government can assist by lowering the rent of food centres and their conservancy fees could be subsidised. So far, the government has been very encouraging.

[@jerrypeter1403]

A beautiful woman with a beautiful smile How about today how is the weather over there

[@aliciatan5080]

SOMETIMES STREET FOOD ARE TASTY ALSO.

[@ZMacZ]

Good side, there's still plenty of food.

[@vincentkc6033]

Is there a street in Singapore where u can open a food stall ?

[@marktan8074]

Hawkers shd collectively get togther and charge slightly more. If we are just gonna keep worrying abt whether the few older folks can afford the food, then we may see more hawker stalls closing down. People just have to learn to pay more. Older folks just have to be less entitled amd practice cooking at home more. You see foodcourts charging way more but yet so crowded. So price isnt always the issue. If I'm forced to make only 1 choice between seeing a hawker being able to carry on his trade by upping his price a little vs seeing an uncle able to have the luxury of eating out daily, I would opt for the former.

[@BESTOFTHEBEST123]

Lots of Bangladeshi people live and work there

[@manithangavalu7885]

So what? You lucky to be working in singapore. Are you looking for a medal,?

[@mocktubelol3355]

Maybe have Hawker become tax-free and maybe even provide more grants during this difficult period. It is an investment into the future as I am sure once things open, the tourists will flock back in greater numbers.

[@waynebow-gu7wr]

About 15 years ago, there was one of these shops operating in a Queensland plaza. One day the main power went off at lunch time, and this shop was the only shop that miraculously had power. They sold alot of food that day... but it probably wasn't enought to cover their fine. Turns out they'de been running the entire shop off the emergency back up power for years !

[@stevethea5250]

Who's emergency