This past November, the topic of saving hawker culture was fiercely debated in Parliament, and while we discussed it in YLB 588, we wanted to hear directly from an actual hawker who knows the issues on the ground. And we got more than we bargained for, in this deep dive with Faye Sai, a THIRD-generation young hawker running the chain Coffee Break. We got answers to all the burning questions that left us vexed before, like: why aren’t we doing more to train young hawkers? Who bids $7000 for a hawker stall (she did)? We also learnt why we only have ourselves to blame for the death of hawker culture… with some important caveats!

(00:00) Tell You First
(00:56) Intro
(03:16) Hawker Business Journey
(05:23) Family Background and Business Involvement
(21:41) Discussion on Hawker Economics
(26:39) Structural Issues and Solutions
(27:22) Hawker Centers vs. Private Coffee Shops
(37:10) Passion and Relationship in Hawker Culture
(45:25) Foreign Influence and Evolving Food Culture
(54:35) Government and Hawker Centers
(56:15) Social Responsibility
(01:02:37) The Narrative Around Hawker Life
(01:11:17) Coffee Break's Business Viability
(01:12:17) Youth Perspectives on Hawker Life
(01:22:11) Social Media and Content Creation
(01:23:22) One Shiok Thing

Find Faye and Coffee Break here! 

• Instagram
• Website

Our New Podcast, TELL YOU FIRST

• Check out our new edutainment podcast that dives into a fascinating array of topics you never knew you needed to know! This week, we cover the whirlwind 6-day extravaganza in 2024 that was the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in Singapore… but with a focus on the $$$ behind the madness!
• Listen on melisten
• Listen on Spotify
• Listen on Apple

Find us here!

• Our Website: https://www.ministryoffunny.com
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/YahLahBut/
• Telegram: https://t.me/YahLahButPodcast
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yahlahbut
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/yahlahbut/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yahlahbut

One Shiok Thing

• Yo- Yo Ma Performs at the Re-opening of Notre Dame de Paris
• r/WatchPeopleDieInside
• Transform Your Keyboard with Akko’s Bun Wonderland Keycap Set! | Easy Install Tutorial

Mics and Headphones from @shure

Chairs from @ergotunechair

The Meat Club: Use the code “YLB20” for $20 off your order at https://themeatclub.com.sg/yahlahbut 

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak