Holland Village stalwarts Wala Wala, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao to shut

SINGAPORE – Two Holland Village establishments look set to bow out of the foodie cluster in 2025. The Straits Times recently reported that

the area is losing its mojo

, with foot traffic dwindling and businesses closing.

Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao will shut after 20 years on June 30, while nightspot Wala Wala Cafe Bar may end its 32-year run before its lease is up at the end of 2025.

Citing waning footfall, rising operating costs and a challenging labour market as reasons for the closure, Wala Wala’s owner Stanley Yeo told The Business Times in a June 12 article that he is looking for a new tenant to take over the space. 

In a statement to ST, a spokesperson for the Crystal Jade Group confirmed that the restaurant’s lease in Holland Village is up and added that the group is evaluating opportunities for new outlets in other areas of Singapore.

The group still runs its Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen at One Holland Village mall, and has other Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao outlets at i12 Katong, Bugis Junction and Hillion Mall. 

These add to other recent closures, including another Holland Village restaurant, Sens Dining, which shut in April; and ramen chain Kanada-Ya at Jem, Marina Square and Paya Lebar Quarter. 

In May, souffle pancake chain Fluff Stack closed its outlets, while Japanese ramen specialist Hokkaido Ramen Santouka exited Singapore after 17 years at Clarke Quay Central mall. 

Upmarket restaurants have not been spared either in the challenging food and beverage scene. Modern European restaurants Imbue in Keong Saik Road and one-Michelin-starred Poise in Teck Lim Road have also closed in recent months. 

Others are starting new chapters in different locations. 

In Hongkong Street, modern Spanish restaurant FOC announced in an Instagram post on June 12 that it will shut in August, after 11 years, as its shophouse venue is due for restoration. There are plans to relocate to a new venue. Its other outlet is at Sentosa’s Palawan Beach.

Choon Hoy Parlor, which shut in Beach Road on April 14, soft-launched on June 8 with a bigger 64-seat, double-storey space at Arcade @ The Capitol Kempinski, next to its sister concept The Masses. Choon Hoy Parlor continues to offer its style of Singapore soul food. 

In Robertson Quay, some former tenants at the mixed development Robertson Walk – which has shut for redevelopment into a luxury residential enclave with dining and entertainment choices – are also gearing up to open in new venues in July.

Home-grown Thai restaurant Fi Woodfire Thai will reopen at Shaw Centre, while decade-old burger restaurant Wildfire Burgers will relaunch as Wild/Fire at UE Square. 

Wine bar Wine RVLT – which announced in 2024 that it would not renew its lease in 2025 – will go out with a bang. It will wrap up a slew of events leading up to the final day on July 12 with a Finish Finish Liao Party. 

While its eight-year run in Carpenter Street will conclude, a new location is in the works for what will be called Revolution Wine Bistro. 

Wine RVLT’s co-owner Alvin Gho says: “It’s no secret the market’s been tough lately, with rising costs, shifting habits and more closures across the scene. But we’ve always believed in riding the waves, not avoiding them. RVLT may be closing this chapter, but everything we’ve learnt, everything we love, the spirit that was built, it doesn’t go away. Neither do the relationships we’ve formed nor the memories we’ve made along the way.”

Correction note: An earlier version of the story said that FOC restaurant will shut in Hongkong Street and that its Sentosa outlet is at Tanjong Beach. FOC Group has since clarified that the brand will be relocating to another venue. Its Sentosa outlet is at Palawan Beach.