Sun Kee Drinks Sells Soya Bean, Grass Jelly At Just 30cents

In an era where a single bubble tea can cost upwards of $6, Sun Kee Drinks stands as a defiant reminder of Singapore's more affordable past. Nestled in Kovan 209 Market & Food Centre, this humble hawker stall has achieved something extraordinary: maintaining the same prices since 1985, selling traditional drinks at just 30 cents per cup.

The Story Behind the Stall

Sun Kee Drinks is currently run by husband-and-wife team Mr Goh Kai Suah, 61, and Mdm Chua Choon Huay, 59, representing the second generation of the Goh family business. The story begins with Goh's father, who used to peddle drinks along the streets of Kangkar (present-day Upper Serangoon Road) in the 1980s. When the government began building hawker centres, old Mr Goh seized the opportunity and settled down in this stall in 1985.

What makes this family business truly remarkable is their unwavering commitment to affordability. While Singapore has experienced decades of inflation, Sun Kee Drinks has remained a time capsule, offering a glimpse into the pricing of yesteryear.

Menu

Sun Kee Drinks specializes in 4 main offerings, all prepared fresh daily:

• Soya Bean Drink

• Grass Jelly Drink

• Bird's Nest Drink

• Tau Huay (Soya Bean Curd) 

Despite the incredibly low prices, the quality remains uncompromised. The couple begins prepping at around 5:30am each day, working six days a week to ensure freshness. The soya bean drink is particularly noteworthy - creamy without being overly sweet, and served at the perfect temperature.

Pricing

These prices have remained unchanged since the late 1980s, making Sun Kee Drinks quite possibly the most affordable F&B establishment in Singapore today.

• Small cups: $0.30

• Medium cups: $0.50

• Large cups: $1.00

• Large beancurd: $0.60

Business Philosophy

When asked about their pricing strategy, Mdm Chua explained that they work on a "high sales, low profit" model. This approach has clearly worked - Sun Kee is evidently popular among the crowd at the hawker centre, and their drinks usually sell out before closing time.

The couple's dedication goes beyond mere business. "Everything has been smooth-flowing so far, and we're happy to serve our customers every day, so why not just continue working?" said Mdm Chua. This philosophy of service over profit has created a loyal customer base that spans generations.

Address: Blk 209 Hougang Street 21, #01-65, Kovan Market & Food Centre, Singapore 530209

Operating Hours: 6:30am to 3pm (or until sold out) daily, except Mondays

Nearest MRT: Kovan (NE13) North East Line

Payment: Cash only