Former Actor’s Hawker Stall Draws Long Lines Amid Public Disputes

Former actor Huang Yiliang’s hawker stall in Singapore has become an unlikely cultural phenomenon, drawing long queues of customers despite a highly publicized dispute over its operations. According to Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the stall—located at the Tiong Bahru Market—has maintained steady business even after Huang, best known for his roles in Chinese-language dramas, faced criticism over food safety and hygiene concerns earlier this year.

Huang opened the stall in 2024, leveraging his celebrity status to attract attention. However, in February 2026, the National Environment Agency (NEA) issued a warning after social media posts alleged violations of food hygiene regulations. Despite the controversy, the stall’s popularity has persisted, with lines forming as early as 6 a.m. on weekends, according to CNA’s observations. A regular customer told the outlet that the stall’s food—particularly its signature chili crab—remains a favorite, with some diners dismissing the disputes as “just part of the hawker experience.”

Why does this matter? Huang’s case reflects a broader trend in Singapore’s hawker culture, where celebrity involvement can both boost and complicate food stall operations. Unlike traditional hawker centers, where reputation is built on word-of-mouth and consistency, Huang’s stall operates under heightened scrutiny due to his public profile. The NEA has not taken further enforcement action, but the dispute underscores how even established figures must navigate regulatory expectations when entering the food industry.

The stall’s resilience also highlights Singapore’s deep-rooted love for hawker food, a UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritage. While Huang’s celebrity draw has undeniably helped, the NEA’s initial warning suggests that food safety remains a non-negotiable priority. “The public’s appetite for hawker food is strong, but trust is earned,” said a food safety expert from the Singapore Food Agency, speaking to Straits Times. “Celebrities entering this space must meet the same standards as any other stall.”

What happens next? Huang has not publicly commented on the dispute since the NEA’s warning, but his team told CNA that the stall continues to operate under “full compliance” with regulations. If the NEA conducts further inspections, the outcome could set a precedent for how celebrity-owned food businesses are regulated in Singapore. For now, the stall’s survival—despite the controversy—serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of hawker food, even when wrapped in celebrity.

For context, Huang’s foray into food aligns with a growing trend among Asian celebrities, from South Korean actors opening cafes to Chinese stars launching food brands. However, Singapore’s strict food safety laws—ranked among the world’s toughest—mean that even well-known figures cannot bypass scrutiny. The stall’s ongoing success, then, is less about Huang’s fame and more about whether it can sustain trust in an industry built on transparency.

Key figures:

• Stall location: Tiong Bahru Market, Singapore
• Date of NEA warning: February 2026
• Peak customer hours: 6 a.m.–8 a.m. on weekends (per CNA)
• Huang’s prior roles: Chinese-language dramas (The Journey of Flower, When We Were Young)
• Regulatory body: National Environment Agency (NEA)

Sources: Channel NewsAsia (CNA), National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore Food Agency, Straits Times.