{
  "id": 10134753,
  "title": "‘Pure joy’: Singaporean serves free food in heartland every month to bring people together",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/pure-joy-singaporean-serves-free-food-in-heartland-every-month-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-27T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times",
    "slug": "straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/pure-joy-singaporean-serves-free-food-in-heartland-every-month-to-bring-people-together"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On a tranquil Saturday afternoon at a Yishun Housing and Development Board (HDB) void deck, a group of young individuals engaged in light conversation around picnic mats and mahjong tables. Most were unfamiliar faces seeking connections, but the tension eased with the arrival of a bubbly cheese pizza from a makeshift kitchen. People greeted each other with smiles and lively chatter, uniting over their shared love for good food. The organizer of this pizza party, 31-year-old Ngoh Shian Bang, had orchestrated this gathering on September 19 under the banner of The Chop Community, a platform for youth at Chong Pang Zone 7 Residents’ Network, located at 287 Yishun Avenue 6. This was the sixth community gathering Ngoh had organized since May, as part of the Kampung Soup Kitchen project. The concept is straightforward: prepare and serve complimentary meals, fostering connections among residents reminiscent of the communal kampung spirit of yesteryears. Most of the food and preparation expenses are covered by Ngoh, who is also a full-time photojournalist for Lianhe Zaobao. He has allocated approximately $2,800 from his savings to support this cause. Ngoh, who sports a bandana and a spirited demeanor, shared with The Straits Times, \"I enjoy seeing people happy. Perhaps, I can make the world a little less lonely.\" Initially, his first event on May 30 went viral online; he prepared clear chicken broth and spiced pumpkin and carrot soup, providing them free to around 50 strangers at the void deck beneath his Tampines flat. This concept has since evolved into a monthly community project, with various Residents’ Networks in Tampines and Yishun offering him free venues and volunteers assisting in cooking and service. The menu has expanded beyond soup to include ice cream, pizza, barbecued meat, and satay. Ngoh believes that people connected with the events because they resonated with a deeper yearning for neighborhood. In the modern era, where society is more interconnected through social media and technology, individuals might paradoxically feel more isolated. Ngoh noted the detachment in Singapore, where communal events seemed to diminish over time. He was drawn to the idea that food could bridge social divides, citing how even individuals who frequently disagree can agree on the quality of a chicken rice stall. This approach is how he sought to counter the trend. The meals served at his events are not of amateur quality. Ngoh graduated from hospitality school Shatec in 2015, pursuing photography as his other passion. In his own words, he is \"no stranger to strangers.\" His idea of cooking for the broader community emerged in 2025 after joining a Telegram group for socializing in Singapore. He sought private spaces for about 50 people, which cost around $800 for four hours. Then he learned about a potluck held at a Housing Board void deck. Ngoh saw it as an epiphany, utilizing such spaces not just for funerals and weddings, but also for broader community gatherings. He wrote to his town council to obtain approval to rent the space for $50, which included electrical and water points. He borrowed chairs and foldable tables from his flat to create a living room-like setting. The total cost, including ingredients, amounted to $89. He recalled the astonishment of witnessing people from all walks of life spontaneously engaging in conversation while savoring bowls of soup. Initially, he harbored concerns about neighbors' complaints. However, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with the sole concerns being regarding food hygiene. He has since obtained a food-safety certificate to alleviate these worries. \"Happiness, lah. Pure joy in seeing people being well-fed,\" he remarked with a smile. Preparing meals for these events typically takes several days. Ngoh designs the menu, procures the ingredients, and cooks from scratch. For the September 19 pizza party, he shared the food costs with The Chop Community. On that day, Ngoh and a group of volunteers toiled over pizza dough and chopped toppings, serving about 90 people with seven varieties of Neapolitan pizza, including cheese and hot honey; truffle cream, mushroom, and crispy kale; and sweet pistachio, brie, and honey. Among the attendees was Kong Shihui, a 35-year-old product designer at a startup, who appreciated the spontaneous conversations that ensued as the food and drinks circulated. \"That kind of curiosity and openness is quite refreshing. I haven't experienced that in a while,\" she shared. The initiative has garnered attention from grassroots leaders. Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo, who represents Tampines GRC, mingled with residents at Ngoh’s barbecue party at Sun Plaza Park on August 30. Government agencies have indicated that Ngoh can apply for funding. Though he is open to the idea, he is hesitant about linking his project to grant proposals and key performance indicators. He believes taxpayers should not fund his personal \"hobby\" while he still has the means to do so. \"I'm in a privileged position to do this,\" he stated. His objective is to expand the Kampung Soup Kitchen to every Residents’ Network in Singapore. People have also inquired if they can replicate the idea in their neighborhoods, and Ngoh gladly shares tips with them. \"I'd like to think that I still am a nobody,\" he said. \"Anyone can do this if they want to.\"",
  "summary": "He has spent about $2,800 of his savings on the six gatherings he has organised in 2026.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}