Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice at Balestier Market faces 4th relocation

Since its opening in the 1980s, Bugis Street Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice is facing its fourth relocation.

After moving from Bugis Street to Jalan Besar in 1985, the chicken rice stall moved to Longhouse Food Centre at Upper Thomson Road 14 years later.

In 2013, the stall moved again, this time to Balestier Market.

Longhouse Food Centre was demolished in 2014 to make way for redevelopment.

Come April 15 this year, the chicken rice stall will have to move as the licence for the food centre will not be renewed, according to Shin Min Daily News.

Madam Yong Fong, its 75-year-old owner, said: "We got news on Feb 6 that April 15 would be our last day of business."

She added that it is not easy to find a new location in a couple of months.

Miao Sin Popiah owner Ong Chin Quay, who is also affected, said he was at a loss and would have to start looking for a new venue for his stall.

A Singapore Land Authority spokesperson said: "Balestier Market and Food Centre has been managed by master tenant KNC Global since April 2013.

"KNC Global was engaged since October 2024 ahead of the tenancy expiry, with ongoing discussions for a potential tenancy extension of up to two years, to facilitate business continuity and transition plans for the stall sub-tenants."

As of Feb 14, a KNC Global spokesperson confirmed that SLA has granted a two-year tenancy extension and rental will not be affected.