Amoy Street fish soup eatery closing down after 26 years, unable to cope with Covid-19 impact

Another one bites the dust :(

Ashley Tan | May 22, 2021, 11:04 AM

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Yet another local business has fallen at the hands of Covid-19.

Swee Kee Eating House, located at 96 Amoy Street, will be closing its doors at the end of May.

Pioneers since 1930s

In a Facebook post on May 21, Swee Kee shared that the effects of Covid-19 and the pandemic had been too much for their business to bear.

This was compounded by their location in the Central Business District, which currently sees much lower traffic as work-from-home was made the default mode since Phase 2 (Heightened Measures) kicked in on May 16.

Swee Kee claims to be the pioneers of Cantonese-style fish soup since the 1930s, and their Amoy Street outlet has been in operation for over 26 years.

And despite weathering World War II and the SARs pandemic, Swee Kee said Covid-19 has proven too challenging to endure.

Swee Kee added that it had been sustaining monthly losses during this period.

Closing on May 30

Swee Kee's third generation owner, who penned the Facebook post, also shared some fond memories of the place.

The eatery was "more than a business or restaurant", but was like a home to him, having practically grown up there.

He reflected on Swee Kee's humble beginnings at a shophouse along Chin Chew Street.

"I also remember fondly the late nights at Chin Chew Street, as we used to stay on the third floor of the shop house, the restaurant was usually buzzing into the early mornings at 5am during the weekends."

Swee Kee will be serving its last bowls of fish soup noodles on May 30.

The business thanked its regulars who have stuck around for their support.

It will consolidate its resources and manpower to focus on its Ka-Soh brand, which has two outlets at Outram and Greenwood.

Ka-Soh is accepting orders for delivery and pick-ups, and you can find more information here.

You can read Swee Kee's full post here.

Top photo from Swee Kee Eating House / FB