Marmite Discontinued In Singapore: Will KEK Seafood & Other Zi Char Spots Still Sell Marmite Chicken?

The spread has already disappeared from major supermarket shelves across Singapore.

According to CNA, Cold Storage stopped carrying Marmite around four months ago but is “working with suppliers to bring in alternative stocks”. FairPrice is also diversifying its sources to bring in “alternative overseas stocks of Marmite”, while Sheng Siong confirmed that the spread is currently unavailable at its stores.

Though Marmite remains in production overseas, some jars available online on sites like Lazada now cost more than double their original retail price at supermarkets.

Interestingly, rival Australian yeast extract Vegemite is also listed as sold out on Cold Storage’s, NTUC FairPrice’s and RedMart’s online stores at press time.

The shortage has affected local zi char eateries and bakeries, which use Marmite in creations ranging from fried chicken dishes to savoury buns.

8days.sg contacted four F&B businesses which use the yeast extract in their dishes to find out how they’re coping with this shortage.

KEK Seafood’s Marmite Chicken likely available till end Aug

Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK), a famous zi char institution with roots in a 1970s' hawker stall, may be better known for its coffee pork ribs and crabs. However, its crispy, sticky, umami Marmite Chicken (from $15) is the dish our food editor truly loves.

Third-generation co-owner Paul Liew, 45, tells 8days.sg that the restaurant’s supplier warned him about a possible Marmite shortage about two months ago, though details were scant at the time.

Stockpiled Marmite after shortage warning months ago

They consequently stocked up on extra jars of Marmite, which Paul expects will last across all three outlets at least through August.

“We’re running on existing stock,” he says. “We saw the possibility of a shortage coming some time ago, so we ordered additional jars in advance to keep serving our Marmite chicken-loving regulars for as long as we can.”

Orders of Marmite chicken surged in recent days

The restaurant sells around 150 portions of Marmite Chicken weekly, making it one of KEK’s 10 most-ordered dishes, he shares. He adds that demands for the dish has surged since news of Marmite’s discontinuation in Singapore broke.

May consider using Vegemite once Marmite stocks run out

Paul also tells 8days.sg that they are exploring whether the saltier, more pungent Vegemite could be adapted as a substitute for the well-loved chicken dish once stocks run out.

“The taste will differ somewhat, but we’re confident we can adjust the seasoning to suit our diners’ palates if it comes down to that,” he asserts.

Keng Eng Kee Seafood has three outlets at #01-136, 124 Bukit Merah Lane 1, S50124; SAFRA Tampines, 1/A Tampines St 92, S528882; and #02-01 SAFRA Punggol, 9 Sentul Cres, S828654.

New Station Snack Bar will discontinue Marmite chicken dish soon

At New Station Snack Bar, a popular family-run zi char eatery at Far East Plaza since 1994, its Marmite Chicken ($8) will remain available only while existing supplies last.

Their Marmite Chicken comprises chicken chunks coated in a glossy, treacly glaze, delivering sweet and savoury flavours with a hint of bitterness from the yeast extract.

Chloe Tan, 32, whose parents own New Station Snack Bar, tells 8days.sg: “Whatever amount of Marmite [that] I still have, I’ll just finish it. After that, [there will be] no more already,” she declares.

“There’s a reason why we use Marmite and not Vegemite”

Chloe doubts that the eatery will replace Marmite with the punchier Vegemite, as she says the two spreads have different flavour profiles.

“There’s a reason why we use Marmite and not Vegemite,” she says. “There’s no point because it’s not a good substitute.”

For now, Chloe has not confirmed how much Marmite the eatery has left or how long its remaining supply is expected to last.

New Station Snack Bar is located at #05-95 Far East Plaza, 14 Scotts Rd, S228213.

Guilt Free Food has enough Marmite rolls for about one more week only

For Joyce Chung, 50, founder of East Coast bakery Guilt Free Food, the news felt more personal than simply losing a baking ingredient for her yummy cheesy Marmite rolls.

“I grew up eating it. My grandmother used to stir Marmite into congee for me, so its flavour is closely tied to my childhood and to her,” she tells 8days.sg.

The self-taught baker founded Guilt Free Food as a home-based business in 2019 after being retrenched from her corporate job. She opened its first physical shop at Vibes@East Coast in April 2025.

Her Cheesymite Rolls (from $42), packs an irresistible blend of parmesan, mozzarella, and cheddar together with savoury Marmite on fluffy buns.

“The news felt surprisingly personal to me,” she adds. “Creating the Marmite Roll was my way of turning a familiar childhood flavour into something distinctly GFF.”

Joyce had already noticed Marmite becoming increasingly difficult to find over the past six months before learning that it would no longer be regularly distributed in Singapore.

At her usual rate of production, she estimates that she has enough Marmite for approximately one more week.

Will explore importing Marmite from elsewhere

According to Joyce, the Marmite rolls have developed a loyal following.

“Existing Marmite lovers usually understand the appeal immediately,” she says.

Joyce hopes to find a reliable overseas source so she can continue offering her rolls.

“My instinct is to try to preserve the Marmite Roll,” she says. “Personally, I am not ready to let it go without first exploring other available options.”

Guilt Free Food also offers a Vegemite version of its Cheesymite Rolls at the same price. Introduced before the current Marmite shortage, it has developed its own following.

“There is naturally a friendly rivalry between the two camps,” she says. “Personally, I remain on the Marmite side because it’s the flavour I grew up with.”

Guilt Free Food is located at Vibes@East Coast, #01-23, 308 Telok Kurau Road, S423858.

Sin Hoi Sai stockpiled Marmite from Malaysia at a higher cost

Over at Sin Hoi Sai Eating House, a longstanding zi char restaurant with outlets in East Coast and Tiong Bahru, its Marmite Chicken (from $10) and Marmite Pork Ribs (from $10) remain available, though prices may soon increase amid rising ingredient costs.

After the local shortage of the spread, the restaurant turned to Malaysian suppliers, paying twice as much for each jar of Marmite.

A staff member tells 8days.sg that the zi char restaurant bought a sizeable quantity of Marmite and is continuing to use its existing stock in its dishes.

“We will try to find some more Marmite”

Like New Station Snack Bar, Sin Hoi Sai does not consider Vegemite a suitable replacement.

“We cannot use Vegemite, the taste will be different,” says the staff member. “We will try to find some more Marmite.”

Meanwhile, the eatery has no immediate plans to remove Marmite dishes from its menu thanks to its Malaysia-procured stash of the spread. 

Whether these eateries eventually switch to Vegemite or keep hunting down overseas jars, one thing’s certain: Marmite lovers might want to get their fix sooner rather than later.

Sin Hoi Sai Eating House has two outlets including 187 East Coast Rd, S428893.