Korean food stall in Marsiling closing due to manpower issues, looking for new location

They're currently looking for a new space to set up shop.

Fasiha Nazren | May 27, 2021, 01:25 PM

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Last year, amidst the circuit breaker period, a family-run Korean food stall in Marsiling called Marsiling 136 Korean: Chelabela went viral after several Facebook posts and much media coverage.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5NvishgmV/

The daughter of the stall owner, Chela Suh, shared in a Facebook post that her father, hawker Suh Chin Won, has been waking up at 4am daily to prepare kimchi and other dishes since they have been receiving much support from Singaporeans.

Moved from Korea in 2009

According to a report by 8 Days, Chin Won moved to Singapore from South Korea in 2009 to join his wife, daughter and son who moved to Singapore earlier in 2006.

He was a logistics manager at a printing company in Seoul but worked as a hawker since moving to Singapore to accommodate his language barrier.

He has been selling Korean food in a Marsiling coffee shop for the past five years. Here are some of the things you can find at the stall:

Yukgaejang (from S$5 to $5.80)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CODnmHwDguW/

This is a Korean meat-based soup served with either chicken, beef or pork, beansprouts, soft tofu, glass noodle and egg.

Bibimbap (from S$5.20 to S$6.50)

Photo from @chelabela.kfood on Instagram.

A mixed rice dish served with marinated vegetables, egg and a choice of meat of either chicken, pork or beef.

Available in a hot-stone bowl (from S$5.80 to S$6.50) or without a hot-stone bowl (from S$5.20 to S$6).

Kimchi fried rice (S$4)

Photo from @chelabela.kfood on Instagram.

Classic kimchi fried rice served with a fried egg.

Closing on May 30

Unfortunately, the stall will be closing soon. Their last day is on May 30, 2021.

While Chela cited in a Facebook post that the recent no dine-in rule implemented as part of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) was one of the reasons that led to the impending closure, there were other, more pertinent reasons too.

While sales fell by about a quarter since the start of the restrictions, Chela said that it is currently "near impossible" to find the manpower to support the stall.

Her grandmother, who serves as the cashier at the stall, is temporarily wheelchair-bound after suffering a fall.

In an interview with 8 Days, she said: "But it (no dine-in rule) didn't have a huge impact on his decision [to close]. It was mainly because of my grandma, and the fact that manpower is so difficult to get. Many Singaporeans and PRs do not wish to work at coffee shops."

But this isn't the end for the family-run food business.

Looking for new place

The family is currently looking for a new place to open their stall and are in the midst of revamping their menu to cater for deliveries.

In her Facebook post, Chela also expressed her gratitude to the customers supporting the family since the circuit breaker period.

"Thank you so much for everything. I'm going to cry as it's been quite a journey since circuit breaker. 🥺 we want to serve you better. Dad says he is very ready to do anything and everything for our family and lovely Singaporeans who've been supporting us."

You can look out for the business's latest updates here.

Details

136 Marsiling Road #01-2188 Singapore 730136

Opening hours: 10am to 8pm, daily