Singapore’s ‘rudest’ nasi ayam goreng seller is expanding his business, again. Shafiie, who went viral last year after our profile on him, is notorious as the no-nonsense owner of Fiie’s Cafe on the sixth floor of Lucky Plaza.
Customers flock to “Mr Grumpy’s” eatery for his tasty fried chicken rice, but the risk is just as great as the reward. Clueless folks who don’t follow Shafiie’s rules like ordering before grabbing a seat will earn themselves a robust scolding from him.
But all the one-star Google reviews inflicted no damage on the man, who has gone on to open an outlet at Toa Payoh last September. Last Friday (Apr 26), he soft-opened a new coffeeshop outlet called Mr Grumpy by Fiie’s Cafe at 43 Holland Drive, in the neighbourhood’s famous ‘red brick’ building near Buona Vista MRT station.
WEST SIDE LOCATION
Speaking to 8days, Shafiie said he had considered several locations including Clementi before settling on Holland Drive, as he saw potential in the office crowd that throng the coffeeshop on weekdays.
Weekends are quieter at his new stall, which he opened with two business partners. “I opened on Friday so (my kitchen team) can settle in first,” shared Shafiie, who streamlined his operations by hiring dedicated staff for cashiering and cooking. So if you want a plate of chicken rice without jostling with people, you know when to drop by.
But the mercurial boss will still be based at his OG Lucky Plaza eatery, which was opened by his mother some 20 years ago before he took over. “People can sit anywhere in a coffeeshop, so they won’t get scolded by me lah,” he deadpanned.
We notice the loud bright yellow signboard at the Holland Drive stall, which is emblazoned with a bold new claim: #1 Nasi Ayam Goreng In Town!.
“Aiyah, ownself say one lah,” Shafiie remarked. “My friends said it’s good to put that up because it attracts more attention when customers walk in.”
