– Rolex-wearing hawker of Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
– Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee hawker.
Remembering Mr Tan Kue Kim: The Legendary “Rolex Mee Master” of Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
In a sad turn of events, the culinary world mourns the loss of Mr Tan Kue Kim, the renowned “Rolex Mee Master” of Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee. On February 14, at the age of 78, Mr Tan passed away, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered.
A Shocking Loss
The news of Mr Tan’s passing was first shared by Mr Melvin Chew, a fellow hawker and the founder of the popular Facebook group, Hawkers United – Dabao 2020. In a heartfelt post on February 15, Mr Chew conveyed the devastating news and provided details about the wake in the comments section.
According to Mr Tan’s eldest son, Mr Tan Fu Rong, his father suffered a sudden heart attack, which tragically took his life. Speaking to The Straits Times at the wake in Eunos, Mr Tan Fu Rong revealed that his father had been feeling unwell since the Chinese New Year weekend, experiencing a lack of appetite and a bloated stomach.
While the family was aware of his discomfort, Mr Tan’s sudden demise came as a profound shock. “The sudden loss of my dad is very sad. We were quite close, and I’m not quite used to it,” expressed the 52-year-old son, who has two younger siblings. Mr Tan Kue Kim is survived by his wife and four grandchildren.
A Culinary Journey
Mr Tan Kue Kim’s culinary journey began in the 1960s when he learned the art of frying Hokkien mee under the guidance of his elder cousin. In 1971, he took a significant step by opening his own stall on Changi Road.
It was during the 1980s that Mr Tan rose to fame, thanks in part to his remarkable sense of style. Often seen donning a Rolex watch and a long-sleeved shirt, he became known as the “Rolex Mee Master.” In an interview with Chinese-language newspaper Shin Min Daily News in September 2023, Mr Tan shared that he chose this flamboyant attire to challenge the prevailing perception that white-collar jobs were superior to blue-collar occupations.
With his popularity soaring, Mr Tan established his own eating house in Changi in 1986. Alongside his famous Hokkien mee, he served delectable dishes such as sambal kang kong, black pepper crab, claypot abalone Hokkien mee, and fish maw soup. However, a subsequent venture into the seafood restaurant business in Geylang proved unsuccessful, leading him to return to his roots and set up a stall in Ang Mo Kio Central in 1996.
Finally, in 2002, Mr Tan found his current location at 62B Jalan Eunos coffeeshop. Over the years, he introduced new dishes to his menu, with his oyster Hokkien mee becoming a crowd favorite.
A Legacy of Excellence
Mr Tan Kue Kim’s culinary prowess did not go unnoticed. In 2017, his renowned eatery, Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, was included in the prestigious Top 50 World Street Food Masters list curated by Singapore food critic KF Seetoh’s World Street Food Congress.
As the news of Mr Tan’s passing spreads, the question of who will carry on his culinary legacy remains unanswered. Mr Tan Fu Rong, who joined the trade in 1996 and now runs his own seafood eatery, was believed by his father to have not learned enough. However, the younger Mr Tan explains that despite his father’s search for a successor, his strict terms made finding one difficult. The family will come together after the funeral on February 19 to discuss the future of Mr Tan’s beloved stall.
A Lasting Impact
Regardless of what lies ahead, one thing is certain – Mr Tan Kue Kim and his signature lard-laden, wok hei-infused Hokkien mee will be deeply missed by fans and foodies alike. The legacy of the “Rolex Mee Master” will continue to live on, reminding us of the passion and dedication it takes to create truly remarkable dishes.
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– Rolex-wearing hawker of Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee
– died at 78.
