Many people in Singapore barely carry cash these days, so seeing a food stall with a “cash only” sign can feel unexpected.
A Reddit user recently shared an experience after visiting Joo Chiat, where several hawker stalls and coffeeshop vendors still accepted only cash. After ordering food without checking the payment options first, a trip home was needed to grab money before returning to settle the bill. “Leaving without paying never felt right, with the situation feeling too “pai seh” to walk away”, they described.
The post quickly started a discussion about why some hawkers still prefer cash over digital payments.
Fake payment scams remain a concern
One major reason brought up was payment fraud.
Several commenters shared cases where customers allegedly showed fake PayNow screenshots or used someone else’s payment notification before leaving with their food.
One Reddit user recalled a situation where a customer tried to pass off another person’s payment notification as their own. The stall owner nearly accepted it before realising something was wrong.
For some hawkers, cash removes that uncertainty. It is not only about sticking to old habits. Cash also removes the worry of digital payment scams and keeps transactions straightforward, especially when a stall is busy and every order needs to move quickly.
Digital payments can come with extra costs
Going cashless might seem like the obvious upgrade, but for small hawker stalls, it is not always that simple.
Every digital payment can come with fees or extra charges depending on the provider. Some commenters also pointed out that those audio devices announcing “payment received” are not always free either. For a small stall, these little costs can add up over time.
As of June 2026, NETS charges participating hawkers a 0.5% transaction fee, while other payment providers may charge different rates. A small fee from each order might not seem like a big deal, but for stalls handling many payments every day, the amount can slowly add up.
Cash still works better for some hawkers
For some hawkers, cash is still part of the daily routine. One hawker shared that physical cash is needed at the end of the day to pay elderly workers who are less comfortable using digital payments.
It is also just more straightforward. No checking apps, no waiting for payment confirmations, no wondering if the transaction actually went through. For some stalls, cash keeps things moving.
Cash also makes small things easier, like preparing change for customers during busy periods. No waiting for payment apps to load. No checking whether a transaction has actually gone through.
Some commenters said older hawkers often feel more comfortable with cash because it is familiar and straightforward.
See the post here:
Why still so many “Cash Only” Food Stalls?
byu/rainWhiskers inaskSingapore
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