93-Year-Old Hawker Of Popular Albert Centre Fried Bee Hoon Stall Fatt Kee Passes Away
She had been serving her food cooked on old-school charcoal stoves since 1960.
Hawker stall Fatt Kee Shou Shi is a familiar spot for folks who frequent the Albert Centre Market & Food Centre in Bugis. The popular 61-year-old stall was founded in 1960 by Mdm Lai Kum Chee, who made a name for herself serving Cantonese-style peanut congee, fried bee hoon, chee cheong fun and steamed yam cake that usually sell out by noon.
Passed away at 93
On the morning of May 4, 2021, Mdm Lai passed away “peacefully” aged 93, according to a post by netizen Larry Lai on local Facebook foodie group Can Eat! Hawker Food.
“She is now an angel watching over us”
Fatt Kee also informed its fans of Mdm Lai’s passing via its Facebook page, sharing that “she is blessed and thankful with all the heart-warming support from the regulars throughout her years at Fatt Kee [heart emoji]. She is now an angel smiling happily watching over us from the top”.
Old-school charcoal stoves
Fatt Kee still uses traditional charcoal stoves to cook its dishes. During the Circuit Breaker last year, the stall was temporarily closed for dine-in, though it started a WhatsApp form ordering service for pick-up and delivery.
Online orders a hit
It proved to be a hit judging from Fatt Kee’s Facebook updates, which informed customers that its online slots were fully taken up. The service has since been halted, when the stall reopened for dine-in customers in June 2020.
Signature dishes
Fatt Kee is well-loved for a number of breakfast dishes including fried bee hoon, peanut congee, chee cheong fun and yam cake.
Closed till further notice
On May 3, 2021, Fatt Kee posted on Facebook that it will be temporarily closed till “further notice” due to “personal reasons”, according to its Chinese notice. It was updated a day later that Mdm Lai had passed away, and her wake would be held from May 4 to 8. She is survived by her sons, who have been helping her to run her stall.
Fatt Kee Shou Shi, #01-68 Albert Centre Market & Food Centre, Blk 270 Queen St, S180270. Open daily 7.30am till sold out (closed on alternate Sundays & Mondays). www.facebook.com/fattkeeshoushi.
Photos: Larry Lai, Fatt Kee/ Facebook
