Singapore's heritage hawker stall shutters after 40 years

China Street Hum Jin Pang, a heritage hawker stall at Singapore's Maxwell Food Centre, has closed after more than 40 years in business, disappointing customers who cherished its traditional savory dough fritters.

China Street Hum Jin Pang at Singapore’s Maxwell Food Centre

Its closure was announced on Aug. 24 in an Instagram video by Deitrich Mohan, the third-generation owner of Maxwell Fuzhou Oyster Cake, another stall at the food center.

Opened in 1975, the stall was known for allowing customers to fry their own savory dough fritters, which were sold at S$1 (US$0.79) for five pieces, AsiaOne reported.

In response to the video, customers took to the comments section to express their disappointment over the closure.

Some recalled eating the savory snack since they were young and praised its flavor and seasoning.

Others also said the stall's unique way of doing business had given them fond memories over the years.

The owners of China Street Hum Jin Pang began as street vendors and were among the first hawkers to move into Maxwell Market in 1986, 8world reported.

The market later underwent a revamp and reopened as Maxwell Food Centre the following year.

Before its closure, the stall was run by second-generation owner Li Shuhui.

Kalanidi Curry Spices, a traditional Indian spice stall at Singapore's Tampines Round Market and Food Centre, recently shuttered after 53 years in business following the retirement of its second-generation owner.

Singapore saw 1,267 food business closures between January and April this year, nearly half the total number of shutdowns throughout last year, The Straits Times reported.