Business

Singapore Stall’s Pandemic Pivot: Family Kacang Puteh Sells Indian Property to Stay Afloat

Singapore’s Last Kacang Puteh Stall: A Tale of Peanut Passion and Pandemic Hardship

Picture this: a lone stall on Selegie Road, where the scent of roasted peanuts hangs in the air like a bittersweet memory. That stall belongs to Mr. Amirthaalangaram Moorthy, who’s been bringing Singapore’s beloved kacang puteh—think roasted peanuts, chickpeas, and doodles of savoury snacks—to the town for generations.

From Tamil Nadu to the Heart of Singapore

His great‑grandfather, a street snack enthusiast from Tamil Nadu, first set up shop in Singapore’s 1960s‑era Hougang.
The business then migrated to Balestier, right outside the iconic Hoover Theatre, where moviegoers tangled with popcorn and popcorn‑nuts.
When the theater went down, the stall moved to its current spot at Peace Centre—a modest, rented space that’s become an accidental heritage site.
In 2018, the Michelin Guide christened the pushcart “the last bastion of Singapore’s yesteryear snack culture.”

Keeping the Stalls Alive

Back in 2004, Mr. Amirthaalangaram took the reins. He’s 54 years old, holds permanent residency in Singapore, and has seen the city transition from single‑screen cinemas to multiplex malls. The once‑popular kachang puteh stopped being a staple by the “Hoover Theatre” carpet, swapping places with popcorn and nachos in modern movie venues.

“Where Are We Going?”

“In the last decade, you used to see stalls outside cinemas in Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, and even near Hoover Theatre,” he told the Michelin Guide. “Now, it’s unlike. No one’s here.”

The Toll of the Pandemic

COVID-19 hit in 2020, and the stall’s circuit breaker meant that Mr. Moorthy could’t open at all. When he finally got the green light to reopen, the city was quiet—most folks were working from the comfort of their homes, leaving the little counter undercheck.

“Every day I open, but for two years I had no business. It was extremely challenging,” he confided to 8 Days.

Rising Above the Challenges

Only $600 a month for the small rented space.
His father sold a house in India to lift him—showing it’s a story of both family sacrifice and entrepreneurial grit.
Even with a minimal customer base and increased rent, Mr. Moorthy is determined to keep the tradition alive.

When you pass by the modest stall at the entrance of Peace Centre, take a moment to savor the humble roasted peanuts. In a city of towering condos and polished malls, it’s a reminder that tradition, flavour, and a lot of hustle can still thrive in the tiniest of corners.

Back in Business: A Tale of Persistence and New Paths

Local entrepreneur Mr. Amirthaalangaram just dropped a reassuring line in a recent interview: “Business now okay lah, slowly.” It feels like a secret handshake between him and his loyal customers, a nod that things are finally turning around.

Family Corner

Mr. Amirthaalangaram’s crew at home is three generations strong: a 25‑year‑old daughter and a 20‑year‑old son. Those two have moved on to new adventures—nursing and hotel management, respectively—leaving their dad to battle the crowd in the streets.

Will the Kids Rejoin?

When asked if the duo would step back into the family business, the answer seemed a touch like “I’m not sure.” Their footsteps have been heard in hospitals and boutique hotels rather than in the bustling market stalls.

Determined and Unwilling to Rethink

But Mr. Amirthaalangaram isn’t throwing in the towel. “I prefer to stay on the streets, which is where kachang puteh should be,” he mused. Michelle’s quote captures the spirit of a man who knows the value of a good, steady hustle.

Original article published by The New Paper. Content reproduction requires permission.