As inflation continues to plague Singaporeans, even humble desserts can set you back by quite a bit.
That’s why it’s a pleasant surprise to hear of a stall that sells old-school desserts for an affordable S$1 per bowl.
Source: Google Maps
Perhaps it’s better to visit soon as the elderly owner of the stall in Commonwealth is reportedly thinking of retiring.
The stall in question is Xi Le Ting, located at Commonwealth Crescent Market & Food Centre off Queensway.
Source: Google Maps
Despite being tucked in a quiet corner towards the back of the building, there still seems to be a steady stream of customers and even a queue.
Source: Google Maps
In a TikTok video posted by food reviewers JioBo, a queue that was the length of at least two stalls was observed when they went down.
Source: @jioboofficial on TikTok
The customers were undoubtedly there for the cheap and good Chinese desserts that go for just S$1 per bowl.
Keeping it simple, only four kinds of desserts are served: green bean soup, red bean soup, cheng tng and bubur terigu (sweet wheat porridge) — something younger patrons may not be too familiar with.
Source: Google Maps
Going by online reviews, the most popular item is their green bean soup, a creamy-looking confection cooked in a massive pot with coconut milk and sago.
Source: Google Maps
The desserts are served in nostalgic porcelain bowls but are also available for dabao for an extra surcharge of S$0.20.
Speaking to the reviewer, the elderly woman behind the counter said she had been running the stall for over 50 years.
Source: @jioboofficial on TikTok
As expected, many of her customers seem to have gone through thick and thin with her, with one saying she’d eaten there for about 30 years. A younger patron said he’d been coming for more than 10 years.
Then there was an elderly gentleman who said he’d patronised Xi Le Ting for 40 years.
Source: @jioboofficial on TikTok
The elderly stallholder, who said she was in her 80s, told the reviewer she had “no choice” but to run the stall alone as her children had their own jobs.
Ominously, a customer who was there then blurted out that she “doesn’t want to work” any more.
Source: @jioboofficial on TikTok
To that, ah ma responded that she was old.
Earlier, she also complained that she had leg pain and “couldn’t do very much” work.
Source: @jioboofficial on TikTok
In an interview with 8days.sg, the stallholder, identified as 82-year-old Madam Yang Feng Ying (transliterated from Mandarin), said her leg condition hadn’t improved despite seeing a doctor many times.
That’s probably why she’d considered retiring but hasn’t done so yet due to her customers.
They reportedly begged her not to quit, as they wouldn’t be able to eat her desserts any more.
The thought of Madam Yang retiring saddens many customers, as it means yet another hawker institution closing for good.
However, after serving Singaporeans tasty desserts for 50 years, perhaps she deserves a rest.
If you want to try out her fare before it’s too late, do head down soon.
Xi Le Ting
Address: 31 Commonwealth Crescent, #02-70, Commonwealth Crescent Market and Food Centre, Singapore 149644
Opening hours: 10am to 2pm (or till sold out), Friday to Sunday
Nearest MRT: Commonwealth station
Hopefully, ah ma‘s leg will get better soon.
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Google Maps.
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