A Q&A with Phey Ah Huat, a traditional ice cream seller who has been manning his cart for eight years
On a scorching hot day in Singapore, there’s no better way to cool down than with a frozen treat. Thankfully, traditional ice cream sellers are still a quintessential sight on the city’s modern streets.
These vendors usually operate out of motorcycle sidecars and under the shade of broad umbrellas, doling out their confections in various forms: sandwiched between crispy, thin wafers, wedged in a slice of rainbow-coloured bread, or served in a plastic cup. We chat with 66-year-old Phey Ah Huat, who has been manning his cart for the past eight years.
How did you get into this trade?
I once worked as a used-car dealer, but I gave that up when COE [Certificate of Entitlement, which grants holders the right to own and use a car in Singapore] prices kept rising. I decided to try my hand selling ice cream instead, and have been doing it ever since.
What’s your daily routine like?
Every morning, I collect large blocks of ice cream from my supplier, cutting them up into smaller pieces before loading them into my cart. Then, I sell my ice cream from 10am to 6pm.
What’s the best thing about your job?
Now that I’m my own boss, I have more freedom. I also love meeting new people, especially tourists from all around the world. They like to take selfies and wefies with me!
SEE ALSO: Japanese mochi, Italian gelato, and more unique ice cream types around the world
This article was originally published in the May 2017 issue of Silkwinds magazine
