Government explores support options after Warong Nasi Pariaman closure
Warong Nasi Pariaman, Singapore's oldest surviving nasi padang eatery, closed after 78 years. The Government is in talks with the family to explore support, amid rising business pressures and rental costs that threaten other heritage businesses in Kampong Gelam.
- Warong Nasi Pariaman, Singapore’s oldest surviving nasi padang eatery, closed on 31 January 2026 after 78 years of operation.
- The Government has engaged the family to explore support measures, citing heritage preservation.
- Rental increases, shifting demographics and business costs are key concerns among heritage business owners.
Warong Nasi Pariaman, regarded as Singapore’s oldest nasi padang establishment, ceased operations on 31 January 2026 after serving the Kampong Gelam community for nearly eight decades.
The closure triggered strong public reaction, with long queues forming on its final day and widespread sharing of memories across generations of customers.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) released a statement on 31 January to local media, confirming that the Government had engaged the family to explore options for greater assistance.
Historic closure of a national culinary icon
Established in 1948 by Haji Isrin, who hailed from the West Sumatran city of Pariaman, the eatery began at Kandahar Street and later operated from a shophouse at 738 North Bridge Road, near Sultan Mosque.
The restaurant became famous for its authentic Padang dishes, including beef rendang, sayur nangka, sambal goreng, and ikan bakar. For many, the stall was part of weekly rituals and community traditions.
On social media, the family announced the decision in Malay: "With our deepest gratitude, we would like to inform you that Warong Nasi Pariaman will cease operations on Jan 31. Thank you for the support, love, and the many sweet memories shared with us over the years."
URA addresses media queries on rental pressures
In its media response, URA said rents for shophouses in Singapore’s historic districts have increased at a “moderate pace” over the past two years.
According to government rental lease data, median rents rose by about 2 per cent annually in Kampong Gelam, 2.5 per cent in Little India, and 1 per cent in Chinatown.
These increases, URA added, are comparable to the 2 per cent annual rise in conventional retail rents in the Central Area and remain “significantly below” nominal gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.7 per cent over the same period.
However, business owners have painted a different picture. CNA previously reported that some tenants in Kampong Gelam saw rents jump from around S$3,000 to nearly S$10,000 in recent years.
URA acknowledged that heritage businesses face a range of pressures, including rising labour and material costs, manpower constraints and changing consumer preferences, all while striving to preserve their unique cultural offerings.
“The government recognises the importance of heritage businesses in contributing to the identity and character of our historic districts, and that the operating environment for these businesses has become more challenging over time,” URA said.
Government measures to support heritage businesses
To support these enterprises, the Government has introduced several initiatives. In 2025, an inter-agency task force was formed to examine challenges and identify solutions related to heritage business continuity, skills transfer, business transformation and placemaking.
The task force is chaired by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim and Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling.
URA highlighted recent updates to land use policies aimed at maintaining the cultural identity of historic districts. In Kampong Gelam, new souvenir shops were disallowed from June 2025 following community feedback. This added to existing restrictions on new bars, nightclubs, karaoke lounges, and Western fast-food outlets across all three historic zones.
Additional support and relocation pilots
Beyond regulatory measures, heritage businesses have access to grants and schemes led by the National Heritage Board (NHB).
These include the SG Heritage Business Scheme, which provides marketing and consultancy support, and the Organisation Transformation Grant, which funds initiatives like digitalisation and staff upskilling.
URA also cited a pilot programme in Kampong Gelam, managed by the Kampong Gelam Alliance (KGA), a coalition of stakeholders including residents, businesses and cultural groups.
Under the pilot, selected heritage eateries can be supported in relocating within the district. Sabar Menanti, another well-known nasi padang restaurant, successfully relocated under this scheme in October 2023.
“In partnership with URA, the Kampong Gelam Alliance has also developed a Place Plan to enhance Kampong Glam's heritage offerings and visitor experience,” the authority added.
Deepening anxieties on the ground
Despite these efforts, business owners express concerns that policy responses may be too late for some.
Iszahar Tambunan, owner of Sabar Menanti, told Straits Times that his rent tripled to around S$12,000 over the last decade.
“I cannot increase the price by three times as well,” he noted, with a standard plate of nasi padang costing about S$10.
Tour guide Gia Munaji, who has led tours in the district for over 21 years, lamented that an increasing number of non-Malay or non-Muslim businesses have altered the area's cultural character.
“Maybe the Government could consider something mandating 80 per cent of shops in the area have to do with the Malay or Muslim community to preserve what it stands for,” she said.
Fauzia Rani, from VSS Varusai Mohamed & Sons, a long-standing haj goods business, said many heritage outlets had already shut down despite ongoing support measures.
“So many businesses are already gone,” she said.
Sector-wide closures persist
The closure of Warong Nasi Pariaman reflects broader pressures on Singapore's food and beverage sector.
Between 1 January and 23 October 2025, 2,431 retail food establishments ceased operations, according to data from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and ACRA. A further 3,357 were newly registered.
Among businesses that closed within five years of registration, 82 per cent had never recorded a profit.
Closures of prominent chains have continued into 2026, including Hooters, Open Farm Community, Pizza Express, and Kith Café, the latter two now operating only two outlets each.
The Government reiterated that it remains committed to sustaining heritage businesses and cultural life in historic districts.
URA encouraged enterprises to approach relevant agencies for assistance, while also emphasising the importance of continued public support to help heritage businesses remain viable.
The future of Warong Nasi Pariaman remains uncertain, but the widespread affection it received is a testament to its lasting imprint on Singapore's culinary and cultural landscape.
