I had shared many times that Wing Seong Fatty’s has always been one of our family’s favourite Cantonese tze char places. Last night felt a little different though. We had just landed back from Greece after a two week holiday, tired and badly jet lagged, but somehow all of us still agreed on one thing. We wanted dinner here. No discussion needed.

The kids immediately started ordering all their usual favourites. Sweet and sour pork, roast duck, claypot pork liver, stir fried sprouts, homemade tofu and that homely wok fried beef with spring onions. Familiar dishes that have followed our family through so many gatherings and random weeknight dinners over the years.

What makes this place special is not just the food. It is the people behind it. The seven elderly siblings who have been running the restaurant for decades. You can feel the warmth the moment you walk in. Sadly, they are closing on 28 June as age catches up and the next generation is not keen to continue the business. One of the bosses, Keong, told me there are interested parties looking to take over, so perhaps there is still a small bit of hope.

Wing Seong Fatty’s story goes back even further than most people know. During World War 2, the siblings’ father used to bring food to Australian and British pilots who were prisoners of war under the Japanese occupation. After the war, many of them never forgot his kindness. Some later joined Qantas and British Airways, and they continued returning here to support the family business whenever they were in Singapore. Even last night, you could still spot quite a number of Aussies and Brits dining inside the restaurant. That says a lot.

Some restaurants feed your stomach. Some become part of your family’s memories. Wing Seong Fatty’s has quietly done both for us for many years. We are really going to miss this place.