We have good news and bad news.
The bad news is: Singapore’s favourite “Beng Who Cooks” just broke the news that they will be closing.
The good news? Apparently it’s only for now (i.e. they will be back).
The Humble Beginnings of Beng Who Cooks
If you didn’t already know of this local gem, Beng Who Cooks was started by Jason Chua in 2018.
Before it became a restaurant, the eatery was initially a hawker stall at Hong Lim Market & Food Centre, located near Chinatown.
It was a treasure for those who worked around the area – you could sneak a delicious protein bowl for lunch.
That is, if you were willing to battle it out with the others who were also trying to sneak that same protein bowl for lunch.
After his partners pulled out however, Chua was joined by his friend Hung Zhen Long. Business was flourishing, until the dreaded COVID-19 struck.
Yes, in case you still didn’t know, COVID-19 hit our local hawkers harder than they hit your bubble tea chains.
Chua’s business barely survived the sharp drop in sales caused by the stringent regulations imposed due to COVID-19, but he wasn’t about to defeated by it.
During such a time of crisis, Beng Who Cooks instead started an initiative to distribute food to those who needed but could not afford food during the notorious 2020 circuit breaker.
This initiative struck a chord with many Singaporeans, growing their fan base further.
For the compassion that they showed, they received a nomination, and then a special commendation for the President’s Volunteerism and Philanthropy Awards 2020 Special Edition.
Well, I guess he can add that to his resume.
A few months afterwards, Beng Who Cooks opened its first full-fledged restaurant at Neil Road. The restaurant became known for their wide range of fusion dishes.
And if you’ve been there before, you likely would have been tickled by the names of their dishes, with one even named “Boring Meatless Salad”.
Finally, a restaurant that gets me.
Now, they’re serving up dishes like an “Old School Beng Bowl” as well.
Not sure what it is? Unfortunately, you only have a few more days left to try it out.
The restaurant will be closing on 15 October.
Ever since his partner, Hung, left the business at the start of the year, Chua is currently the only full-time staff member left in the restaurant.
The rest of his crew, consisting of three chefs and seven wait staff, are all students who are working part-time.
While the rest of us complain about our nine to fives, the shortage of staff means that Chua has had to hold the fort for long hours, which has taken its toll on him.
Chua revealed that he has long considered closing down the five-year-old business, but the decision became apparent when he became a father to a six-month-old boy recently.
He pointed out that “I have a family, a newborn. And I am still working more than 100 hours a week. I missed a lot of time with my family”.
And when the landlord decided to increase the rent, he took it as a sign to finally take a break from the restaurant, and to spend more time with his family instead.
“You’ve been fighting for five years alone, come back when you’re ready,” Chua said.
Chua added that he would be spending the rest of the month clearing up the space for handover, before searching for other sources of income. He is also open to doing ad-hoc pop-ups.
The restaurant will be organising a “moving out party” on 14 and 15 October.
So if you haven’t had the chance to try out the restaurant’s signature food and drinks yet, grab your friends now and catch Beng Who Cooks before they close!
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Featured Image: Facebook (Beng Who Cooks) + Instagram (@bengwhocooks)
