On Sept 19, 31-year-old Lianhe Zaobao photojournalist Ngoh Shian Bang organised a free pizza party at The Chop Community space in Yishun, bringing about 90 strangers together over Neapolitan pizza to combat modern isolation through shared neighborhood meals.
Kampung Soup Kitchen Expands to Yishun Void Decks
The Sept 19 gathering at the Chong Pang Zone 7 Residents’ Network located at 287 Yishun Avenue 6 was the sixth community event hosted by Ngoh under the project name Kampung Soup Kitchen. The initiative started on May 30, when Ngoh spent about $2,800 of his personal savings to serve free clear chicken broth and spiced pumpkin and carrot soup to about 50 strangers at a Tampines HDB void deck. What began as a viral online moment has since expanded into a monthly project supported by various Residents’ Networks in Tampines and Yishun, which provide free venues while volunteers assist with cooking and service.
For the Yishun gathering, Ngoh teamed up with The Chop Community, where community manager Abel Fam and volunteers like 47-year-old Solomon Kang and Shaun Ng helped prepare and serve seven kinds of Neapolitan pizza. Attendees such as 35-year-old product designer Kong Shihui noted that the environment fostered spontaneous and refreshing conversations among otherwise unfamiliar residents.
Did You Know? Ngoh first conceived the idea of hosting community meals at Housing Board void decks in 2025 after finding that private event spaces cost about $800 for a four-hour rental. After securing town council approval to rent a void deck space for $50, he successfully lowered his event costs to $89 including ingredients.
Bridging Social Divides Through Shared Meals
Ngoh explained that these communal events resonate because they fulfill a deep societal yearning for neighborhood connection despite modern technological interconnectivity. He noted that food acts as a natural bridge across social divides, pointing out that even individuals who disagree on various topics can usually agree on the quality of a local chicken rice stall. Although government agencies have informed him that he is eligible to apply for funding, Ngoh remains hesitant to tie his project to grant proposals or key performance indicators, maintaining that taxpayers should not fund his personal project while he has the means to cover the expenses himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is behind the Kampung Soup Kitchen project?
The project was created by Ngoh Shian Bang, a 31-year-old full-time Lianhe Zaobao photojournalist who finances most of the food and preparation costs out of his own pocket.
How did the community project begin?
It started on May 30 when Ngoh served two kinds of soup for free to about 50 strangers at an HDB void deck in Tampines, an event that unexpectedly went viral online.
Where do these gatherings take place?
Various Residents’ Networks in Tampines and Yishun provide free venues at HDB void decks and community spaces, such as The Chop Community at 287 Yishun Avenue 6.
What steps might Ngoh take next as the monthly community gatherings continue to draw attention from residents and grassroots leaders alike?
Keep reading