The Final Chapter of Uncle Lui’s Legendary Food Stall
It’s a bittersweet goodbye—after nearly four decades, the hunch‑backed hawker who’s been serving Taiwanese‑Western flavor in Block 116, Toa Payoh, has closed his stall. Uncle Lui’s last‑minute post on the Toa Payoh Makan Places Facebook group lightened the mood with gratitude, humor, and a touch of nostalgia.
Behind the Self‑Employed Scene
- Age‑proof decision: Betti Lui, his daughter, said the time came when his “back was taking the on‑us and he just couldn’t keep up the grind.”
- From kid‑to‑adult patronage—the stall’s heartwarming story: “Dad would watch little boys and girls become fathers, and they’d still yell, ‘Uncle, five chicken wings, please!’”
- Betti admitted the family has missed out on each other’s company because of the business. “Now it’s time he spends time with us instead of hats to the brim.”
Seller’s Expedience & Community Love
Uncle Lui’s stall was a daily staple from noon to ten at night. Social media celebrated him as a “one‑man show”:
- “When the price for fried whole spring chicken was only $8, people were giddy, saying it was a steal!”
- “He can’t do it in a team, but he’ll sorta do it yourself. He’s the legendary, old‑school hawker.”
But the trend is that the stall wasn’t going to become a legacy. Betti was quoted saying “there weren’t any ch future hawkers who could keep the same standards”, so the doors stayed shut forever.
Final Cheer & A Toast to the Past
Betti’s last message to the long‑time crowd was a mix of heartfelt thanks and a wish for “May your life be bright and spicy, like his chilli!”— a perfect mix of sugar, sarcasm, and sincerity for a hawker who always had a saying ready.
We’ll forever taste the memories from his whispering hustle, and the community can still find a taste of that classic 8‑$ fried spring chicken if they wander into the old hawker legends hall.
