3-decade old Xian Ji Porridge stall in Tiong Bahru may close in August, owners considering selling recipe for S$500k

Known for its silky smooth Cantonese-style porridge, Xian Ji Porridge in Tiong Bahru might be closing for good by the end of this month.

The hawker stall, started by Mr and Mrs Soon, has been around since 1989 and operates only two hours a day.

However, its neighbour, the Thai restaurant called Little Elephant Thai Bistro, recently informed the couple that it needed its stall back.

Xian Ji has been subletting the space from the bistro, which needed the space back for a kitchen expansion.

As the bistro had resigned its lease, it needed to renovate the space to stay in business.

Mrs Soon told 8Days that the end of August was probably their last day.

She hinted that they might reopen at a new location, perhaps “somewhere near her home in Yew Tee.”

Mrs Soon also said they were on good terms with the Thai bistro owners. They were even allowed to operate rent-free for the past three or four years, reported Chinese language newspaper Shin Min Daily News.

The decision to reopen at a new location has been a challenge as rent prices increase and the stall only operates half a day.

If unable to relocate, the couple plans to sell their porridge recipe for around S$500,000, including training to continue the Xian Ji legacy.

“Big thanks to everyone for your support…it’s been overwhelming. It’s a sellout by 8 am!” the business said in a Facebook post on Aug 9.

“We hope to say goodbye to all of you, so do come in the last days while we are at our current location!”

The stall is located at 57 Eng Hoon St and is open Tuesday to Friday from 7 am to 9:30 am./TISG

After 37 years serving customers, Toa Payoh Bak Chor Mee passing the torch to any new owner interested to take over, secret recipes for sale at S$500K