Amid Drama & One Crab Per Group Limit, Diners Still Flock To Huang Yiliang’s Stall

Why only one crab per group?

The one-crab rule first made headlines in May after a video showing a customer confronting Yiliang outside his stall began circulating online.

The diner had reportedly wanted to order two crabs for a group of six, but was turned down due to the stall's one-crab-per-group policy.

The customer subsequently became upset and was filmed shouting at Yiliang in front of the stall. In the video, he could be heard scolding the former actor in Hokkien and accusing him of being "hao lian", while his companions attempted to calm him down.

The clips sparked debate online, with some netizens calling the policy too restrictive.

Others, however, felt the rule was justified. As one netizen put it: "He had limited stocks on hand, he just wants to be fair to everyone waiting in the queue."

At the time, Yiliang explained that crab supply was particularly tight as it was not peak crab season.

"There are many customers who come from afar to support me," he previously told reporters. "If everyone wants two crabs, what about the others?"

The former actor added that while he understood the customer's frustration, he wanted to ensure more diners had a chance to enjoy his food.

The policy remains in place today, though it is unclear whether the one-crab limit will continue once the current supply constraints ease.

Customers queue before stall’s opening time

Our colleagues popped by the stall recently on a Wednesday and witnessed the crowds there.

Although Old Fisherman was scheduled to open at 5pm, customers had already begun gathering by 4.30pm.

Some told them they had arrived as early as 4pm to secure a spot in the queue.

Yiliang eventually lifted his shutters at around 6pm after spending the afternoon preparing crabs for service.

On that day, crab was the only dish available.

"No sotong, no prawn, no vegetables, no fish. I'm only selling crab today," he shares.

Since he is currently operating the stall alone, Yiliang says he prefers to sell within his capacity rather than overstretch himself.

“Finding an assistant is like getting married”

Despite the growing crowds, Yiliang is taking his time when it comes to hiring help.

"There are definitely benefits if I hire an assistant. It makes the stall look more attractive and impressive," he says.

However, he believes finding the right person is not something that should be rushed.

“Actually, finding an assistant is like getting married,” he quips.

“I realised that I should take things slow. Then I will look into hiring a good assistant,” he adds.

"Being a hawker is stressful. Every month I have to think about utilities and dishwashing expenses," he says. "So I have to hire carefully."

Former assistant was the centre of his feud with neighbouring hawker

Yiliang’s highly publicised dispute with the owner of next door chicken rice stall Enah Hainanese Chicken Rice came about after rumours surfaced alleging that he and his former assistant, Ms Yeong, 50, were romantically involved.

The controversy reportedly stemmed from an arrangement where Ms Yeong would occasionally rest at Yiliang's flat during the afternoon break between lunch and dinner service when she was still working full-time at the stall.

According to Ms Yeong, she later mentioned this arrangement while chatting with chicken rice hawker Enah. The assistant claimed Enah subsequently asked if she and Yiliang had "slept" together. Believing the question referred to taking an afternoon nap, Ms Yeong reportedly replied "yes".

Yiliang later claimed he heard from other hawkers that rumours had begun circulating. Both Yiliang and Ms Yeong denied the allegations.

Speaking to reporters at the time, Ms Yeong said: "I want to make it clear that there is nothing going on between Yiliang and me."

The disagreement soon escalated into a series of heated confrontations between Yiliang and Enah. A five-second clip of the pair shouting at each other outside their stalls surfaced on Reddit in early May and quickly spread online.

The saga reached a climax on May 10 when Yiliang alleged that Enah's husband struck him outside his stall after another confrontation involving Ms Yeong. The former actor was subsequently taken to hospital and later discharged, while police investigations were launched.

In an interview with Mothership last month, he said he hoped Ms Yeong would continue working at his stall, although “she wished to avoid the woman from the chicken rice stall”. Guess she decided not to stay.

Biz doubled after saga

The incident generated widespread discussion across social media and local news outlets. Yiliang later told reporters that business at Old Fisherman had doubled following the saga.

An hour's wait for his crab bee hoon

Our colleagues ordered Yiliang's signature Crab Bee Hoon ($40), which comes with a medium-sized mud crab weighing about 500g to 600g.

The waiting time? Around an hour.

The dish features a fresh crab served in a broth made from fish stock simmered overnight and splashed with fragrant shaoxing wine.

Fans still showing up

Neither these controversies nor the long queues appear to deter Yiliang’s supporters.

One customer, who arrived at around 4pm, tells 8days.sg: "The food is tasty, the soup is robust and the crab is fresh." Despite the long wait, he says he would happily return.

Another diner, who also arrived before opening time, had similarly positive things to say.

"This [former] artiste is quite friendly," she says. "The crab is delicious, the noodles are smooth and the food is good."

Old Fisherman is located at #01-29, Circuit Road Hawker Centre, 79 Circuit Rd, S370079. Open Tue–Sun 5pm–8pm. Closed on Mon.

Photos: 8days.sg, 8 Days Eat TikTok, Huang Yiliang/Facebook

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