Heritage F&B brand Ka-Soh closes Outram flagship outlet amid hiring shortage

HERITAGE food and beverage (F&B) brand Ka-Soh will close its flagship Outram outlet on Jun 26, after operating in the location for around 20 years, it said in a Facebook post on Friday (Jun 3).

Located in the Medical Alumni Association, the Cantonese-style fish soup and local zichar store has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand award since 2016, and has a history of over 80 years.

According to a report by Shinmin Daily News on Sunday, the business faced a shortage of manpower, with 4 vacancies in key kitchen positions across its 2 restaurants.

Cedric Tang, the third-generation owner of the business, told Shinmin that some of its older employees have decided to retire after the passing of his father Tang Tat Cheong, the second-generation owner of the business, in March this year. Some of its Malaysian employees have also returned home amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tang said the Outram outlet – having been in operation for 20 years – also required repair costs amounting to around S$50,000, on top of rising raw ingredients costs, utility bills and staff salaries.

According to Shinmin, Tang said all the employees at Ka-Soh’s Outram outlet would move to its store on 22 Greenwood Avenue, its only remaining store in Singapore, after the closure.

The Outram outlet’s signature Pork Lard Fried Rice, as well as the frozen version of its fish soup that was only sold at the Outram outlet, will also be sold at the Greenwood outlet, which was opened 2 years ago.

After the closure, Tang said he will have more time and energy to focus on its remaining outlet, and also potentially develop new menus. He also hopes the Greenwood outlet can be noticed and awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand in the future, Shinmin reported.

Ka-Soh’s Outram outlet has won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award every year since it began in Singapore in 2016. The award recognises restaurants that offer good food at an affordable price.

In May 2021, Ka-Soh’s sister brand Swee Kee Eating House – a Cantonese-style fish soup shop on Amoy Street – also shut its doors after more than 80 years of operations, due to slowing business amid the pandemic, particularly in the Central Business District.