Rolex mee master, Mr Tan Kue Kim, passes away at 79
It seems like February is a sad month for hawker legends. After we mourned the loss of 94-year-old Madam Leong Yuet Meng, founder of Nam Seng Wanton Noodles, I’m disheartened to share that Mr Tan Kue Kim, the mastermind behind Kim’s Famous Fried Hokkien Mee, bid us farewell on 15 Feb 2024— he was 79 this year.
Mr Tan was infamously known as the ‘Rolex Mee Master’. He spotted a signature look comprising a long sleeve shirt and a gleaming gold Rolex watch, as he used the wok to churn out plate after plate of Hokkien mee.
In 1960, Mr Tan embarked on his culinary journey at Jalan Kayu, honing his skills under the guidance of his elder cousin, who watched over him as he mastered the fine art of frying Hokkien mee.
5 years down the road, he took a leap of faith, establishing his own stall. By 1971, he had relocated to Changi Road, continuing to carve his legacy in the realm of Hokkien mee.
Having good business, he then went on to establish his very own eating house in 1984. He engaged a number of chefs to assist him in seafood and zi char dishes, but business wasn’t brisk. It was then that Mr Tan decided to take over kitchen duties and revolutionise his business.
Besides his traditional Hokkien mee, he also introduced sambal kangkong, black pepper crab, in hotpot, claypot abalone Hokkien mee, fish maw soup, spicy bean sauce steamed tilapia, and a host of other detectable dishes.
On Sep 2023, Mr Tan was actively seeking a successor to take over the reins so that more Singaporeans can have a chance to taste his recipes. This happened after a dispute with his eldest son, Hock Yong in Aug 2023, during which he expressed doubts about Hock Yong’s ability to effectively manage the business.
Our hearts ache at the news of Mr Tan’s passing, and we extend our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
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