[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-13-at-11.38.06-AM.png” width=”100%” min_height=”78px” custom_margin=”-12px||213px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-50px||194px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”8vw|1px|0|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”rgba(10,10,10,0.49)” transform_translate_linked=”off” min_height=”192px” custom_margin=”204px|auto|150px|auto|false|false” custom_padding=”20px|48px|20px|48px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”50px” text_line_height=”1.2em” header_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” custom_margin=”8px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”29px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Hawker Heritage: The Singaporean Identity<\/b><\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|500|||||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”15px” header_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_font_size=”80px” header_5_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_5_text_color=”#000000″ header_5_font_size=”20px” header_5_letter_spacing=”0.5em” header_5_line_height=”1.8em” min_height=”22px” custom_margin=”15px|129px|1px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”9px|0px|||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”|0px|18px||false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1.8em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”32px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_5_font_size_tablet=”14px” header_5_font_size_phone=”12px” header_5_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ inline_fonts=”Montserrat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Amidst a raging pandemic, Isaiah Chua<\/strong> discovers the importance of Hawker Culture to Singapore and what we can do to save it.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-194px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”84px” custom_margin=”-67px|auto||auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-49px|auto|-100px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”35px” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u00a0A family dining together at a hawker centre. Photo taken from of Roots.Sg.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Us” _builder_version=”4.16″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”0px|48px” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_translate_linked_phone=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|phone” min_height=”1463px” custom_margin=”-136px||-1037px|||” custom_padding=”90px||0px|||” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-53px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”11842px” custom_margin=”-41px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”27px|0|27px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||0px||true” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”15px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” min_height=”145px” custom_margin=”0px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-48px|79px|104px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-40px|79px|0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”105px|0px|0px|||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n BY <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”54px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-71px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Introduction and History<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”1320px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-415px||-616px||” custom_padding=”|0px|1px|0px||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n No matter where you wander in Singapore, you\u2019re bound to catch sight of a hawker centre. In most parts of the country, one or sometimes even two hawker centres are present. There is a reason for this. Stemming from its frugal roots, Hawker Culture is widespread in Singapore today because of its role during the country\u2019s road to independence and growth.<\/p>\n This culture has been of great significance in both our modern and olden societies. Hawking was first pioneered by the early immigrants of Singapore, who were eager to make a living for themselves.<\/p>\n In modern times, our Hawker Culture has been nominated and added to the UNESCO (Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) intangible cultural heritage list.<\/p>\n It was awarded because of the hawkers\u2019 role in our society. In the UNESCO article, hawker centres are described as \u201ca social space that embraces people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds\u201d and that \u201chawker centres play a crucial role in enhancing community interactions and strengthening the social fabric\u201d.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Screen-Shot-2021-06-13-at-11.38.06-AM.png” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”Screen Shot 2021-06-13 at 11.38.06 AM” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” transform_scale_tablet=”” transform_scale_phone=”” transform_scale_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate=”0px|-22px” transform_translate_tablet=”” transform_translate_phone=”” transform_translate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_translate_linked=”off” transform_rotate_tablet=”” transform_rotate_phone=”” transform_rotate_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_skew_tablet=”” transform_skew_phone=”” transform_skew_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_origin_tablet=”” transform_origin_phone=”” transform_origin_last_edited=”on|desktop” transform_styles_last_edited=”on|desktop” min_height=”8px” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” transform_styles_tablet=”” transform_styles_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A family dining together at a hawker centre. Photo taken from Roots.sg.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” min_height=”725px” custom_margin=”-37px||-1px|||” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A 2021 article by <\/span>National Geographic<\/span><\/a> expounded on the role of hawker food, especially after World War 2. After the war, unemployment could not be more rampant and many Singaporeans resorted to becoming hawkers themselves. They would sell the local food that we\u2019re familiar with today, such as <\/span>Bak Kut Teh <\/span><\/i>(Pork Ribs Soup) and cold drinks by the roadside.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>However, this all changed when Singapore gained its independence. These hawkers, who had been operating on the street, were relocated to what we now know as hawker centres by the government. The vicinity was free of the problems that plagued them previously, such as the lack of clean water and unsanitary conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>In modern times, hawker centres have slowly but surely evolved into community spaces. In a video segment by <\/span>Roots Sg<\/i>, Karney Ngai, Chairman of Yuhua Village Market & Food Centre, said that hawker centres are more like community spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Ms Emily Chan, 58, owner of Tropical Drinks Station, has been a hawker for over 40 years and agrees: \u201cIn hawker centres, whether you are rich or poor, you eat at the same place and Singaporeans should be proud of that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0Unfortunately, many challenges have also risen for the culture and the hawkers themselves amidst this modern time and pandemic.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hardships of Hawkers<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”1320px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|-415px||-616px||” custom_padding=”|0px|1px|0px||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Today\u2019s hawkers are plagued with a myriad of difficulties, excluding the Covid-19 pandemic. From competition with newer stalls to pricing difficulties, they all contribute to the ever-growing burden that weighs on today\u2019s hawkers.<\/p>\n The pandemic itself undoubtedly poses a problem to all hawkers, as most of them experienced a sharp decline in sales.<\/p>\n \u201cThe biggest and recent challenge is the decline in business due to Covid-19 and the restrictions made. Sales have been affected and we have lost some regular customers because of the restrictions made on dining in,\u201d says Mr Yang Zhen, 45, owner of Zhong Xin Ban Mian.<\/p>\n Older hawkers are also unable to set up online platforms that allow them to deliver food to patrons.<\/p>\n \u201cActually, in this pandemic, there are a lot of heritage stores closing down because they do not have delivery and it\u2019s not easy for them to set up,\u201d says Mr Edwin Tan, 39, fourth-generation owner of the hawker store Authentic Hock Lam Street Popular Beef Kway Teow.<\/p>\n Furthermore, there are hawkers who are unable or unwilling to pay the additional charges that accompany the installation of these platforms. These hawkers are unknown to the Singaporean eye and do not have as much recognition as famous stalls.<\/p>\n Mr KF Seetoh, founder of Makansutra and a strong advocate for Singaporean Hawker Culture, said: \u201cThey (hawkers) cannot afford to pay the maintenance cost plus the 30 per cent (platform fee).\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s just not economically friendly.<\/p>\n However, the pandemic aside, another hardship affecting hawkers is the emergence of newer stalls that sport fresh concepts and exhibit more extravagant designs, which have made business and competition more gruesome.<\/p>\n \u201cNow young people want new flavours, but older hawkers cannot keep up with this. They only sell the original flavour and never change,\u201d says Yang Xiao Ling, 44, co-owner of Tanjong Rhu Wanton Noodle.<\/p>\n Walk into any hawker centre nowadays and you\u2019re almost guaranteed to find a young hawker, eager to sell you his newest creation: a fusion of different Singaporean cuisines, or an aptly decorated, modernised store serving coffee made from imported coffee beans.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/000048080028-scaled.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”000048080028″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A newer hawker preparing Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice), a dish that\u2019s not a traditional hawker food. Photo by Isaiah Chua.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cA lot more people are opening stalls and selling, and you have to compete with a lot of people,\u201d Ms Yang adds.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>This has developed into a full-fledged problem. As time goes on, the stores supported by the younger generation will end up surviving, but traditional stores that are supported by the older generation will inevitably be left in the dirt because of Singapore\u2019s ageing population.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Oversaturation has also emerged as a thorn in the side of Singaporean hawkers today.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u201cHonestly, Singapore has too many hawkers,\u201d remarks Ms Ye Shi Hua, 45, owner of Old Taste Yong Tau Foo.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>According to the National Environmental Agency (NEA), there are 114 hawker centres operating currently. Additionally, a report on <\/span>data.gov.sg<\/a> stated that there were a staggering 13,828 hawker stalls in Singapore.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re comparing, last time for F&B (Food and Beverage Industry), maybe there were 100 stores in the neighbourhood, but now there are 2,000 stalls,\u201d Mr Tan agrees.<\/span><\/p>\n Interestingly enough, hawkers aren\u2019t the only ones lamenting over this trend. Avid foodies such asBrandon Au, 32, have their reservations about the trend.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn every neighbourhood, you have two to three hawker centres. Each hawker centre has about 100\u2013200 stalls. You\u2019re looking at 300 stalls serving a small neighbourhood. This is not including neighbourhood food courts,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens when you have oversupply? You have mediocre food. When you have mediocre food, people don\u2019t want to pay. So, we\u2019re in a situation where we have an oversupply of mediocre stores and a lack of good quality stores, and everyone suffers,\u201d he adds grimly.<\/span><\/p>\n Lastly, hawkers face the ultimate dilemma of pricing in relation to modern eatery prices, a predicament many of their forefathers did not face when they were selling in hawker centres in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n Why has this problem arisen? It\u2019s due to the rapid rise of the restaurant industry and the intriguing switch of many Singaporeans\u2019 food preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou won\u2019t be eating a <\/span>Char Siew (fork-roasted pork)<\/span><\/i> Noodle for $10, but you\u2019re willing to pay for a spaghetti for $20. That\u2019s the problem with Singaporeans. You cannot change the fact of it,\u201d explains Mr Tan.<\/span><\/p>\n The fate of hawkers may simply rest on whether this problem yields a solution.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs long as Singaporeans have the mindset that local hawker food is not good enough for us to pay $8 or even $10. The future of hawkers is dead,\u201d adds Mr Au. \u201cIn Singapore, once you have a <\/span>Bak Chor Mee<\/span><\/i> go over $4, people say you\u2019re crazy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Brandon Au, 32″ job_title=”Avid foodie” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Once a hawker cannot make a decent profit, there\u2019s no future<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Despite the long list of difficulties, being a hawker has its fair share of benefits as well.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Blessings of Being a Hawker<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n As most hawkers shared, being a hawker has its unique benefits you cannot find in any other profession. It is carrying on the long-lasting legacy of a certain traditional dish, about community service, and building relationships with customers.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can have the satisfaction when the customers say \u2018wah, very nice food\u2019 or \u2018thanks for continuing the legacy\u2019, it makes me feel worth it,\u201d says Mr Tan.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2-scaled.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”2″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mr Tan\u2019s father assembling a bowl of Beef Kway Teow (flat rice noodles). Photo by Isaiah Chua.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cAs a young person, I had the idea that tradition should never fade away. So, I opened my store, because I wanted to preserve that traditional flavour. So, a lot of 50-year-old uncles will come and eat, and they say that the food has a distinct flavour,\u201d explains Ms Ye. \u201cTraditional taste is one of Singapore\u2019s key selling points.\u201d<\/p>\n Community service is also a big reason why Ms Ye finds joy in opening her store.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel very happy when I can help lower income people. We use a different way of charging. When the 90-year-old auntie comes to eat and doesn\u2019t have enough energy and cannot finish the food, so we have to provide service for her, and charge her less, $3 instead of $3.50,\u201d she says, explaining how her store is located in an older estate, hence the older age of most of her customers. \u201cI also help her to take all the condiments, section them and help her however I can.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, this is a duty and I feel proud that I\u2019m able to help lower income people, despite the nature of the hawker industry. Most people in Singapore think that hawking is a low-class industry,\u201d concludes Ms Ye.<\/p>\n Finally, forging healthy customer relationships is imperative for every hawker and might be the most rewarding part of being a food seller.<\/p>\n \u201cSeeing the regulars coming back for your food and building a connection with them, it\u2019s very rewarding,\u201d says Mr Yang.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Inheritance of the Hawker Culture\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The future of the hawker culture now lies in the hands of young consumers and the next generation taking over hawker stores. It is as simple as that.<\/p>\n Hawkers themselves think that most young people increasingly patronise restaurants and malls due to the more comfortable environment instead of the hawker centres, which causes hawkers to lose out on young customers.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s because the malls have air-conditioning. Hawker centres are very warm. Young people will go to the shopping centre and eat Japanese, Mala (spicy, numbing seasoning), and Steamboat,\u201d remarks Ms Yang.<\/p>\n Mr Tan even said he\u2019d patronise food courts instead of hawker centres if he\u2019d had a choice.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest, the food court prices are very near the hawker prices already. If I\u2019m the one, I would go for the more comfortable place to eat,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n Simply, uncomfortable dining environments themselves are a detriment to hawker business.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is that if you\u2019re going to be in a hawker centre with no aircon, poor dining conditions, no music, no quality beverage, no slick marketing, and you have the best tasting Char Kway Teow (stir-fried flat rice noodles), you can\u2019t charge above $8,\u201d comments Mr Au.<\/p>\n Whether a solution can be conceived is in the government\u2019s hands and out of the control of these hawkers.<\/p>\n Younger people also disregard taking over their parents\u2019 hawker stores because of the lack of economic benefit, as passion cannot solely drive a hawker\u2019s business, marking the end of the hawker stall.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung people need to have the interest. If they don\u2019t have interest in the first place, it\u2019s no use. You cannot force them,\u201d says Mr Desmond On, 55, co-owner of Boon\u2019s Chicken Rice.<\/p>\n \u201cThe younger generations are not as willing to take over the business and continue the hawker culture. It is a tough job and not many are willing to take over the business as compared to working in an office,\u201d adds Mr Yang.<\/p>\n Hawkers themselves need to change their mindset also.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom my own experience talking to a few hundred hawkers \u2026 actually half of them have children that want to take over, but in the whole growing up period of the children, they have never encouraged them to take on. One of the biggest reasons for this is economic benefit,\u201d explains Mr Au.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking in a nine-to-five job, with progression, your salary is going to increase for the next 10 years. Very stable. You have benefits, you don\u2019t have to work in terrible conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n Many hawkers also agree with this hypothesis, as they want their children to have a more comfortable and progressive job.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/hypesingapore.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/000410120001-scaled.jpg” alt=”xia qingling chu opera hua dan wuhan” title_text=”000410120001″ align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-35px|||||” custom_padding=”34px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat|300|||||||” min_height=”43px” custom_margin=”-20px|||||” custom_padding=”0px|||||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n An older hawker selling fishball noodles taking orders. Photo by Isaiah Chua.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cHawker, Saturday and public holidays you still have to work. There is no leave, and you have to settle MC (Medical Certificate) on your own. Work timings are very long. You cannot wear so nice. You have to wash dishes,\u201d mentions Ms Chan.<\/p>\n There is a crucial need for the young generation to take up the responsibility to change their perception of hawker centres and hawker food, to prolong the life of hawker culture in Singapore. Disregarding the different woes of not only becoming a food seller, but also a patron of a hawker centre, will enable it to live on a bit longer.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Montserrat||||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”||||||||” header_2_font=”Raleway|700|||||||” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.4em” header_5_font=”Montserrat||||||||” header_5_text_color=”#b3b3b3″ header_5_font_size=”14px” header_5_line_height=”0.5em” header_6_font=”Raleway|700||on|||||” header_6_font_size=”16px” header_6_letter_spacing=”5px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” max_width=”659px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|79px|17px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”10px|79px|12px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|0px||||” header_2_font_size_tablet=”35px” header_2_font_size_phone=”25px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Future of Hawker Culture<\/b><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Hawkers themselves have both grim and hopeful predictions for the future of hawker centres and hawkers themselves.<\/p>\n On one hand, some are hopeful for the \u201creinvention\u201d of the hawker centre.<\/p>\n \u201cMake hawker centres into an air-conditioned place. I believe a lot of people will go also. Just like a majestic food court,\u201d says Mr Tan.<\/p>\n However, most hawkers see a decline in the authenticity of hawker food.<\/p>\n \u201cThis hawker culture will still stay, but the hawker\u2019s traditional items will slowly be lost. Because younger people don\u2019t want to inherit the tradition,\u201d says Ms Ye.<\/p>\n \u201cThe authentic taste will disappear over time. The real, authentic, old, local taste will become less and less,\u201d adds Mr On.<\/p>\n The situation may even develop into an unthinkable one.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe you will start to find the truest form of Singaporean food outside Singapore,\u201d said Mr Seetoh.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a predicament. Locally, Singapore already has a lack of top local restaurants proudly representing local food. Most of thems sell foreign cuisine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial author=”Brandon Au, 32″ job_title=”Avid foodie” _builder_version=”4.16″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You look at all of our top-tier restaurants. French, Italian, Thai, but nothing Singaporean.<\/p>\n Who is flying the flag for Zi Char (home-cooked Chinese food) or Peranakan food?<\/p>\n Who is flying the flag for a simple curry fish head?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”Libre Caslon Text||||||||” text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_3_font=”Montserrat|600||||||#e02b20|” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#233956″ header_3_font_size=”24px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” min_height=”1087px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps it\u2019s time for us to seriously reflect on whether we want our hawker culture to stay for good and reevaluate our eating habits. Clearly, it has played a bigger part in our national identity than we think it has. Whether we want it to stay solely reflects through our actions.<\/span><\/p>\n The Singaporean population is ageing. According to <\/span>Statista.com<\/span><\/a>, the average age of the population in 2020 was 42.2. Yet, the responsibility now falls on millennials and youths once again, to decide whether we want this culture to survive.<\/span><\/p>\n
Isaiah Chua
Lifestyle Section Editor
<\/b>Hype Issue #53<\/b><\/p>\nPublished on<\/h5>\n
June 16, 2021<\/h5>\n