SINGAPORE - Following reports of local actor-host Ben Yeo shutting all six of his Tan Xiang Fish Soup stalls, he has been quick to emphasise that it is business as usual for his three Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat outlets. 

On July 16, he posted a video on Instagram to thank followers for their concern, and reiterated that his Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat outlets remain open in Kallang, Chai Chee and Marsiling, recently relocated from Woodlands. 

Those who want to have fish soup can still order it at the Kallang and Chai Chee branches.

Yeo admits that Tan Xiang Fish Soup expanded too quickly, with six outlets launched in 2025 at locations including Clementi, Orchard Towers and Ang Mo Kio.

“We tried different methods for marketing and branding. Previously, stalls selling fishball noodles and chicken rice could open many outlets because people didn’t have many choices. Now, people are spoilt for choice. We’ve learnt that opening too fast is dangerous,” says the 47-year-old, who also runs Thai eatery Benkok13 in Taman Jurong. 

In June, Yeo also had to deal with two break-ins to an economy rice stall, a tenant at the Chai Chee outlet of Charcoal Fish Head Steamboat, which he says is under police investigation. 

The decisions to open and close food and beverage (F&B) concepts over the years are part and parcel of running a business, he adds. 

In 2025, he shut modern Chinese restaurant Tan Xiang Yuan in Dickson Road after incurring more than $1 million in losses from the v...