Popular Zi Char Closing Down on 29 Dec As There’s No One to Take Over

If you’re a Toa Payoh resident, you’ve probably been to, or at least heard of the popular zi char stall, Hong Sheng Restaurant.

And if you’ve yet to dine at the restaurant, you should probably do so soon — the stall, which has been in business for more than 50 years, will be closing down on 29 December this year.

Popular Zi Char Stall Hong Sheng Restaurant Closing Down on 29 Dec

According to Shin Min Daily News, the popular zi char stall, Hong Sheng Restaurant, will be closing down on 29 December this year.

While the restaurant was initially located at Block 109, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, it later moved to its current location which patrons are more familiar with — Block 203, Toa Payoh North.

From the well-loved har cheong gai to the seafood hor fun you’ll crave on a rainy day, the stall has been serving up all your favourite zi char dishes for more than 50 years.

Yes, you read that right. It’s been in business for more than 50 years. Specifically, the restaurant has a 56-year history.

It was first founded by He Yajiu (hanyu pinyin), the current owner’s brother-in-law. When He passed away, the current stall owner, Lin Youhao (hanyu pinyin) took over the restaurant.

Why the Stall is Closing: Health Concerns & No One Taking Over the Stall

Despite its popularity and long history, the zi char stall will be closing down at the end of the year — but why? The 65-year-old stall owner, Lin, shared that she was closing down the stall for a few reasons.

First, she shared that working at the stall has been tough on her knees. It’s no surprise that the F&B business is not an easy one. Weaving through coffee shop patrons day in and day out to serve up dishes — it’s exhausting.

Lin shares that currently, even as she goes up and down the stairs, it’s difficult and painful to bend her knees.

In fact, four years ago, her doctor had recommended she undergo surgery and rest up at home. Now, she’s finally going to follow her doctor’s advice — and the only way she can do so is to close the stall.

With that, she’ll also be able to help her take care of her grandson, which her younger daughter has just given birth to.

The second reason Lin shared for closing the stall was that there was no one taking over the stall. After all, all of the ten employees at the stall have been working for many years and are preparing for retirement — the youngest employee is in their 50s and the oldest is 74 years old.

She also does not wish for her two daughters to take over the stall, given how laborious the work can be.

So, if you want to give the zi char stall a try before it closes, be sure to head down soon. It’s merely a six-minute walk from Braddell MRT station — it can’t get more convenient than that.