Popular Wei Nan Wang Lor Mee’s Elderly Hawkers Announce Sudden Retirement

As Singapore’s pioneer hawkers get on in their years, it’s inevitable that some will eventually retire after decades behind the wok (though there are hawkers, like the couple behind Kueh Pulau Pinang, who resolutely soldier on).

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One hawker stall that announced its shock closure yesterday is Wei Nan Wang Hock Kian Lor Mee in Market Street Hawker Centre, within the new CapitaSpring building in Raffles Place. The well-loved stall’s charming Chinese name translates to “unforgettable taste”. It had a strong following for its Hokkien-style lor mee laden with shredded fish, fried wonton skin and braised pig’s skin. Each bowl cost only $3.50.

Sold lor mee for 47 years

The popular stall was founded in 1975 by husband-and-wife Lee Cheow Huan and Ng Ah Tee at the iconic riverside Boat Quay Food Centre. The couple later ended up shifting locations thrice. They first moved to Golden Shoe Food Centre (formally known as Market Street Hawker Centre) in the ’80s after their original hawker centre was demolished to make way for an MRT station.

The hawkers had to relocate again in 2017, when Golden Shoe closed for redevelopment. They operated at the temporary Market Street Interim Hawker Centre in Telok Ayer until April this year, when they moved for the final time to the newly-reopened Market Street Hawker Centre at CapitaSpring.

Surprise closure announcement on Facebook

However, the veteran hawkers’ stint at the new food centre was short-lived. On Oct 23, their Facebook page had a cryptic post that read: “Finally, ‘R’ is imminent [smiling emoji].” Just yesterday (Oct 26), the page followed up with a comment on its original post explaining that “R” referred to retirement.

The poignant comment stated: “Dear all, An-Gong & Ah-Mah have decided to let-go the stall (sic) and are in the midst of transferring the stall space to another fellow hawker owner @CapitaSpring. As such, ‘Wei Nan Wang’ will now be history.”

The hawkers' only son, Joshua Lee, 52, tells 8days.sg over the phone that the stall's sudden closure was spurred by a fall his mum suffered a few weeks back, resulting in a hairline fracture. "She has already recovered and is out of the hospital. She’s able to walk by herself again, but that was what caused [them to decide to close their stall]," he says.

Joshua will not be taking over his parents' business, as he "already has a career of [his] own" as a senior manager at an MNC. "From what I understand, they are not planning to sell their recipe," he shares. "It's good lah. Everything has to come to an end."

But the stall reassured fans by clarifying that the elderly couple are in good spirits and plan to enjoy their retirement. “They are both happy and well and wish to spend the remaining days of their life in quiet and peaceful ways,” the post said, signing off with a final goodbye to loyal customers. “Last but not least, they want to wish all the kind supporters through the decades, good health and happiness!”

One netizen’s comment on the post summed up our feelings best: “Oh no… Sad and happy at the same time.”

Stall already closed

Unfortunately, if you are planning to rush down for one last bowl of Wei Nan Wang lor mee, it seems that the stall has closed for good, according to some members of Facebook foodie group Can Eat! Hawker Food who visited the stall post-announcement. Wei Nan Wang has also changed its status on its Facebook page to “Permanently Closed”.

Photos: Wei Nan Wang Hock Kian Lor Mee, Joanne Lim