The rise and fall of their printing business
Ng Kei Yong, 62, and Jullie Tay, 55, were once the owners of a successful printing business that catered to major clients like banks and hotels. They started the business in 1997 and grew it to a staff of 20 and a turnover of $2 million a year.
However, the digital era gradually phased out their printing business, as more customers switched to online platforms and electronic documents. By 2016, their revenue had dropped by 80% and they had to let go of most of their employees.
They decided to sell their printing machines and equipment, and close down their business for good. They were left with a debt of $300,000 and no source of income.
The discovery of their love for min jiang kueh
Min jiang kueh, or Chinese peanut pancake, is a traditional snack that is popular among Singaporeans of all ages. It is made by pouring batter onto a large griddle and spreading fillings like peanut, coconut, or red bean on top. The pancake is then folded and cut into pieces.
Ng and Tay had always enjoyed eating min jiang kueh since they were young, but they never thought of making it themselves until they stumbled upon a hawker development programme by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in 2018.
The programme aimed to train aspiring hawkers in various skills and cuisines, and help them set up their own stalls. Ng and Tay signed up for the programme and chose to learn how to make min jiang kueh from a veteran hawker.
They spent two years learning the ropes of the trade, from preparing the batter and fillings, to cooking and serving the pancakes. They also apprenticed at Granny’s Pancake, a well-known min jiang kueh chain, for two months.
They found the process of making min jiang kueh to be fulfilling and enjoyable, and they wanted to preserve the heritage and nostalgia of the snack. They also saw it as a low-cost and low-risk business opportunity, as the ingredients and equipment were relatively cheap and simple.
The launch of their min jiang kueh stall
In March 2023, Ng and Tay opened their own min jiang kueh stall called My Pancake at Dunman Food Centre. They invested $20,000 in the stall, which included the rental, renovation, and licensing fees.
They offer four flavours of min jiang kueh: peanut, coconut, red bean, and cheese. They also make their own peanut and coconut fillings from scratch, using fresh ingredients and no preservatives. They sell each piece of pancake for $1.20, and they can make up to 200 pieces a day.
They work six days a week, from 7am to 2pm. Ng, who is a full-time pilot for a local airline, helps out at the stall whenever he is not flying. He says that becoming a hawker is his “retirement plan”, as his pilot’s license will expire when he turns 65.
They have received positive feedback from their customers, who praise their pancakes for being soft, fluffy, and generous with the fillings. They have also attracted regulars and repeat orders from nearby residents and workers.
They are happy with their new career, and they hope to break even in a year. They also plan to expand their menu and introduce new flavours and toppings for their pancakes.
They say that making min jiang kueh has given them a new purpose and passion in life, and they are grateful for the opportunity to learn from the NEA programme and the Granny’s Pancake chain.
They encourage other people who are facing difficulties or challenges in their careers to consider becoming hawkers, as they believe that it is a rewarding and meaningful occupation.
