What Went Down at the Koufu Foodcourt?
On the sunny morning of Sunday, 7 October, the once‑pleasant Gourmet Paradise at Toa Payoh HDB Hub hit a splashy snag that left diners and food‑court staff wet and bewildered.
The Catastrophe
It all began with a pipe joint screaming its way out, letting a torrent of water spill through the ceiling. Within minutes the other side of the basement turned into a water‑logged stage, and a section of the false ceiling crashed in, creating a dramatic gaping hole – think of a big, dry “I … Oh M” sign you’d see if a ceiling suddenly decided to take a vacation.
The Aftermath
- Open‑house Pour‑Down: The basement was soaked half‑properly, water even leaking into the carpark nearby.
- Shockwaves of Chaos: The lights flickered and then went out, leaving customers fumbling through wet corridors to find lifts.
- Half‑Hour Hiccup: The incident raged on for about 30 minutes before the audio–visual crew could tame the water curtain.
Customer Reactions
Say Liu Shi Min, a 24‑year‑old undergraduate who was there with her brother and grandparents. She described the moment as:
“The lights suddenly flickered, and water poured from the ceiling. There was enough to cover half the foodcourt and even leak into the carpark. My shoes and socks got soaked. It felt like a sudden downpour, and I didn’t expect the management to be unleashing a powerful water-cleaning machine.”
— 24‑year‑old graduate, Singapore
In a time, patrons rustled around, hoping stall‑holders could help. Instead, many stall‑holders were also clueless, turning the whole scene into a laughably confusing emergency drama.
Koufu’s Response
COO Choo Teck Chuan stepped forward and explained that the outage lasted from 8:55 am to 11:30 am. He said the pipes were fixed in no time and business resumed by noon:
“Upon investigation, the joint of the water pipe gave way. This has since been rectified, and it was business as usual by noon.”
— Choo Teck Chuan, COO, Koufu Group
He added that Koufu committed to “providing a good dining experience for all customers” and pledged to keep a tight eye on the equipment. The food‑court operator has promised to closely monitor all facilities, ensuring this watery surprise is a one‑time splash‑down.
Where to Catch the Footage
For those curious to see the water‑plunging spectacle, you can catch a clip of the incident. (Just remember, it’s a splash‑filled adventure and not the ideal lunchtime view.)
Water‑Wipe‑Woes at ST Foodcourt
It was a typical Sunday hustle, the foodcourt buzzing around 2:30 pm – tables were packed, the floor was practically dry, and all the usual suspects were out for a bite. Yet the Popeyes counter remained a mystery, its door half‑closed and a rag‑tag patch of black cloth warning of a spill‑filled heaven in the ceiling.
Table‑turns & Tumble‑risk
Once the crew began to mop up the ocean in the carpet, they got the kitchen ticking again. But the damp in the labyrinth of overweight stalls meant customers surfacing in slick puddles: an instant soda‑spill disaster.
“Normally, so many chapels walk in after the 11 a.m. service, therefore we had to dance around that batch of church‑goers,” said Malcolm Li, 27, “the man behind the chicken‑rice at Gourmet Paradise.”
What Should the Management Do?
- Heads-up – Pointers for staff on handling emergency water‑splash can be the first step.
- Help‑desk – A proper line of communication to keep patrons – many of whom are senior – safe, so they don’t slip into the drama.
- Safety check – Routine inspection of plumbing to avoid future flood fronts.
Mr. Li’s plea is simple: “If the staff could elaborate these instructions in the eyes of the tenants, we could come out of this tempest stronger.”
Fast Facts
• Stimulated by a burst pipe in a Sunday afternoon scramble.
• Take Management’s notice – the fantasy dream of 2:30 pm, now redefined by a sudden waterfall.
• Owner at the helm – Pang Lim, together with wife and co‑founder Ng Hoon Tien, kept the company afloat since 2002.
With the property swinging onto the Singapore Exchange’s mainboard in July, this leak may be a small drip in a big, ambitious fountain. Still, every splash shapes a story worth telling.
