HungryGoWhere Closing Down After 15 Years in Service

For millions of years on end, scientists and researchers have toiled through extensive piles of information, pondering about the mysteries of the world, only to answer the age-old question:

Hungry go where?

We then dive into Google to visit various food blogs and websites, hoping to find the key to satisfying our subconscious cravings.

Sadly, our quest’s only going to be made harder now.

HungryGoWhere Closing After 15 Years

NOOOOOOOOO.

That’s the sound of a million foodies wailing at the loss.

Most Singaporeans with a phone and a hungry stomach would be familiar with the foodie portal HungryGoWhere, established in 2006.

It was the place to go for food reviews in its heyday.

Singtel Group even acquired the business for $12 million back in 2012, and remains the management of it.

On 8 June, however, the portal dropped shocking news of its permanent closure on its Facebook page to the sorrow of many.

HungryGoWhere announced that the 11th of July would be their last day of operations after a good and long 15-year run serving Singapore’s diners.

They also hoped Singaporeans would continue supporting the local dining scene even without their guides.

Yet another thing to curse the pandemic for – this decision was made due to “severe challenges in the industry” caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singtel Group shared that a detailed review of HungryGoWhere was conducted while exploring possible pathways for the portal.

However, the challenges faced led them to decide to exit the market for good instead.

The 13 members of the HungryGoWhere management team have also been moved to other positions within Singtel Group.

What Will Happen Following Closure

HungryGoWhere, founded by Wong Hoong An, Dennis Goh and Tan Yung Yih, was originally a portal for food reviews.

It was also once combined with Singtel’s inSing lifestyle and search website following the acquisition of the portal.

However, in 2019, HungryGoWhere expanded its services to offer restaurant reservation functions, dining deals, food content and even rewards, becoming the site we know today.

The portal’s content will all cease to exist once the clock strikes 12 on the 12th of July, just like the snapping of Thanos’ fingers.

Users and merchants only have until then to save the content that they’ve uploaded, including responses and reviews.

If you’re rich in Hungry$, the HungryRewards currency, you also have until 30 June to convert existing points into Singtel Dash credits.

Fret not if you’ve made reservations through the portal as well, for they would already have been communicated and confirmed with the restaurant.

Customers who have booked dates beyond 12 July are advised to call up the restaurant to confirm their bookings.

HungryGoWhere will continue to accept reservations until their dissolution and existing reservations can also be amended until then.

For the month of June and July, merchants will also not be charged any fees for using the portal.

Here’s hoping we’ll still be able to find places to go to when we’re hungry in future.

Featured Image: Facebook (HungryGoWhere.com)