Malaysia’s ban on exporting fresh chickens from June 1 due to a domestic supply shortage has affected many chicken sellers in Singapore. Eateries like Tian Tian Chicken Rice expressed that it will stop serving its signature poached chicken, while Joo Chiat joint Dickson Nasi Lemak, which offers ayam goreng berempah, will halt operations for a month to wait out the ban.

Meanwhile Taiwanese fried chicken cutlet chain Monga, which has three franchised outlets in Singapore, is considering permanent closure here if supply woes persist. “We are still looking for a solution with our supplier, it’s a headache,” says Lem Cheong, director of operations at Baoshi F&B Management, Monga’s Singapore franchisee.

The chain uses fresh chilled Malaysian chooks for its XL-sized fried chicken cutlets, which boast a selling point of being at least 2cm-thick.

“Buying chickens is like buying stocks now” 

According to Lem, his company is working with its supplier “to store as many chicken cutlets as we can.” Other than securing a steady supply, he shares that he is also contending with ever-increasing prices for chicken. “The price rises every day — today it just rose by another 50 cents per kg,” he says. “Buying chicken is like buying stocks now. Every day our supplier calls us and gives us a heart attack. But we have no choice, what can we do?”

Considering all avenues

Closing Monga Fried Chicken Singapore is a last resort, Lem states. “Pray we don’t have to, but if worse comes to worst we will have to [close],” he reveals. “We are still looking into it and hope we don’t come to that decision.”

Deep-frozen Brazilian chicken is currently being considered as an alternative for Malaysian fresh chook. But the difference in size is a conundrum for Monga, as Lem points out: “Our large cutlets require a special chicken breast cut of a certain size, and usually the Malaysian side already has this specification.”

He remains optimistic that chickens from other provenances like Brazil can help overcome his supply challenges. He opines: “Quality-wise there will be some issues, but we are doing a lot of R&D with it now and hopefully we can find a solution.”

Monga Fried Chicken Singapore, three outlets including #B1-K10 Jem, #01-131 SingPost Centre and #B2-62 Ion Orchard. Facebook, Instagram

Photos: Alvin Teo