Balestier Market A ‘Ghost Town’ With ‘Not Much Customer Flow’, But Some Hawkers Choose To Renew Tenancy
This comes after earlier reports that the market’s tenants had to vacate the premises in April. The makan spot has just been given a two-year tenancy extension. 8days.sg speaks to a duck rice hawker on why he chose to stay on in this rather quiet location.
Amid some media confusion that Balestier Market is closing down soon, it has been confirmed that the 102-year-old makan spot is here to stay. At least for another two years. The market houses about 16 stalls, including popular ones like Long House Soon Kee (Boneless) Duck Rice, Bugis Street Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice and Miao Sin Popiah.
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Earlier reports caused confusion
This revelation comes after news outlets like Mothership reported that hawkers would have to vacate the premises by April 15, 2025. The news sent foodies into a tizzy, with many already planning their “final meals” at the market.
A few empty stalls, “not much customer flow”
Interestingly, despite its prime location, the market currently has about four empty stalls. "No one wants to rent it as there is not much customer flow here," the Soon Kee owner tells us in resignation. "There were quite a lot of customers before, but after the pandemic, there were not many people." So why did he renew his tenure here for two more years? “I’m old already, so I just live day by day," he reasons.
The market has seen some beloved stalls pack up and leave — including Albert Western stall, known for its spaghetti curry, Ah Hui Big Prawn Noodle and Boon Pisang Goreng.
Accusations about it being a “ghost town” with “ridiculous rent”
Melvin Chew, founder of the Hawkers United food group on Facebook, declared in a post that the market operator “bully” tenants and demanded "ridiculous rental" for what he called a "ghost town". He later retorted “good luck to them” when a netizen clarified that the market wasn’t closing down after all and had a two-year extension.
But when we asked Soon Kee's Mr Tan about these allegations regarding the landlord, he brushes them off with a zen-like "No lah, we do our own thing." The hawker tells us that his monthly rent hovers around $5,000 and that it is “still okay.”
The official word
Balestier Market & Food Centre has been managed by master tenant, KNC Global Pte Ltd, a subsidiary under KTC Group, since April 2013.
According to 8world News, a spokesperson of KNC Global confirmed that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) granted a two-year tenancy extension and there will not be an increase in rent.
Balestier Market was born in 1922.
Photo: National Archives of Singapore.
Market served as food ration distribution centre during the war
Interesting fact: Balestier Market was born in 1922. During the Japanese Occupation, it wasn't just serving up char kway teow and nasi lemak — it was literally keeping people alive as a food ration distribution centre.
Originally just a concrete platform, it got its first roof in 1925. The market had a glow-up in 1952 with more stalls and better hygiene facilities. In 2003, it was given conservation status before being converted into a food centre.
Balestier Market is at 411 Balestier Rd, S329930.
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