A MacPherson Market Food Centre yong tau foo stall faces the economic inevitability of a price hike after 60 years of serving its local elderly residents.
9’s Food Supply, at Block 89 Circuit Road, which has been serving yong tau foo to the elderly residents in the estate for more than 60 years, has to increase its items by 5 cents a piece to $3 for 10 pieces.
The 65-year-old wife of the stall owner said her husband has been operating the family business in the area since the 1960s. The eldest daughter-in-law who helps to run the stall, said that her father-in-law, who is in his 80s, would still go to the factory daily to inspect the manufacturing of the fishballs and fish paste for quality control. Daily operations for the yong tau foo business starts from 2am and ends around 2pm, over 12 hours each day.
The upcoming price increase might appear to come too soon given that the S$2.50 for 10 pieces price was adjusted only in 2023. According to the stall, this was necessary due to the increased cost of ingredients and other operating expenditures.
The other outlet at Toa Payoh charges a higher price of S$3.50 for the same 10 pieces come 2024 as the stall rental there is higher. Still very affordable in today’s standard, don’t you think?
