The end of a craft: Nan Rong Chee Cheong Fun closes after 83-year-old hawker uncle passed away.
Source: Entre Kibbles blog
Tan Chin Chuan (陈清泉), the stall owner and mainstay of Nan Rong Chee Cheong Fun 南榮豬腸粉 at Bendemeer Food centre, passed away on 26 December 2022 at a hospital after a fall at home in the early hours of the same day. He was 83.
In fact, he was hard at work the day before his sudden demise, from 5am in the morning to 8pm in the evening. Prior to going home, according to Chinese daily, ShinMin Daily News, he made orders for the ingredients that he would require the next day.
He bided farewell to his nephew (Mr Teo), who was also a stall owner at the same hawker centre and agreed to meet again the following day.
Mr Tan, together with his wife, had been running Nan Rong Chee Cheong Fun for the past twenty years, and had established a good name/reputation for his food. He was famous for his $1 Chee Cheong Fun served with sweet red sauce, who was not only economical but savoury. Thus, it was not a surprise that he had gained a following.
Source: Larry Lai
According to his nephew, Mr Zhang, his uncle insisted that his chee cheong fun must be affordable to the nearby residents and factory workers, considering that there do not enjoy high incomes.
His sudden and unexpected demise caught his suppliers and fellow stallholders at the hawker centre by surprise, and they expressed their condolences. He was described as a “hardworking man"; besides lunch breaks, he would be seen at his stall toiling away”.
“Uncle was a nice man, he was easy-going”, said Bai Ruisheng, another friend of Mr Tan.
His nephew commented, “We said our goodbyes, little did I know that I will not see you again”.
In fact, a while back, Mr Tan had fainted in the toilet of the hawker centre and conveyed to a hospital. Last year, he had another fall and broke his leg, and as a result, his stall was shut for a few months.
After his recovery, despite his health condition, he continue to operate and be of service to his regulars and residents, till the very end of his life.
Mr Tan, thank you for the savoury food and the wonderful memories. Rest well, Mr Tan. We will miss you!
Top image: Entre Kibbles blog
