“ is like a sports car, and I’m an antique automobile. I’m not even done absorbing the fact that we opened our first stall, and he’s already planning the next one,” jokes Peter.Local influencer Simon Khung, better known as Simonboy, has come a long way. The 37-year-old is now clean from a 16-year drug addiction, which. While incarcerated, he attended a Christian testimony-sharing session by veteran actor Peter Yu, 56, himself a former drug user who overcame his struggle.’s shows.
“I have always wanted to start my own business. Passions can become a business too,” muses Simon, who also started his own clothing line Chance and a video production house. Other than the standard plates of steamed and roasted chicken rice, Singabola offers a unique XL-sized deep-fried Singapura Chicken Rice Ball loaded with chicken meat, a braised egg, and optional coriander. Which explains its ‘Singa-ball’ name lah., Simon has an interest in food. “In prison, everyone read 8 Days magazine.
Simon roped in award-winning actor Peter for the venture, but the pals appointed Simonboy as the ‘poster boy’ for their biz. A large decal of him with full-sleeve tattoos, wearing a thick gold chain necklace and bracelet, adorn the chicken rice storefront. “People asked me if this is a moneylender shop,” Simon deadpans. “Look like moneylender hor?”Peter, himself a chicken rice fan, has had F&B experience opening a now-defunct bar in the noughties before selling it to his brother.
Meanwhile, the complimentary home-style carrot and corn Soup of the Day is a nice touch. There’s enough ingredients in the soup to make it a generously hearty side, instead of the usual insipid salty bowl of soup that accompanies chicken rice.Melaka’s Jonker Street-style chicken rice balls can also be found in Singapore — basically rice packed tightly and shaped into orbs. Singabola’s chicken rice ball is a whole ‘nother thing.