The owner of Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo in Toa Payoh says her family was “deeply hurt” by an online commentary criticizing the stall’s pricing shortly before its planned closure next month.
Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo Responds to Pricing Criticism
In a Facebook post on Thursday (Dec 26), the owner stated the Stomp article, published on Christmas Eve, “turned what should have been a Merry Christmas to the worst Christmas ever in our life.”
The Stomp commentary criticized the stall’s prices and the reasons given for its impending closure. The writer stated she was charged $9.20 for her bowl, without specifying the number of items selected.
The owner expressed regret in sharing the commentary with her 80-year-old mother, a former hawker who worked until her 70s, as it left her “shocked and saddened.”
“We respect differing opinions and customer experiences. However, when an article written in the capacity of a journalist uses shaming and moral judgement to comment on a hawker who is already about to close, the sense of helplessness can be deeply disheartening and leaves one disappointed in humanity,” the Facebook post read.
The stall’s owner noted a minimum order of five pieces of yong tau foo with a noodle costs $5. A previous post from Dec 24 clarified the writer had selected 11 items, along with kway teow.
“This is the reality many hawkers face today. We are not asking for sympathy. We are only hoping that the public can understand how difficult it is to survive during this environment,” the owner concluded.
Owner Breaks Down in Interview
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News on Saturday (Dec 27), stall owner Lu Meiwen, 41, broke down in tears while discussing the criticism, which she felt came particularly late in the stall’s run.
“We have been in business here at Toa Payoh for over 40 years. It’s because of various cost issues that we are closing. We were already very sad, and still there are complaints, and (the writer) even expressed happiness we are closing,” Lu stated.
Addressing criticism that their “premium” items are processed, Lu said many of the yong tau foo items are handmade, with creative additions like cheese to luncheon meat.
Lu stated she has dedicated the last 10 years to ensuring food quality and customer service at the Block 203 Toa Payoh North location. She described the negative feedback during the Christmas period as disheartening, feeling like their decade of hard work was invalidated.
Hup Chong Yong Tau Foo announced in November it would close in January 2026, without specifying a final date.
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