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Singapore’s street food is a vital part of the country’s cultural heritage and identity.
But as COVID-19 hits hard, hawkers face a stark choice – innovate or admit defeat.
Ageing vendors are grappling with new digital ways of working, while younger ones struggle to attract customers amid Singapore’s worst-ever recession.
As deliveries soar during the pandemic, two entrepreneurs are stepping up to help older hawkers boost sales. Meanwhile, a chef is bringing hawker food into homes by creating a simplified version of a beloved dish, but at a steep price.
101 East investigates how the pandemic is changing Singapore’s food hawker culture.