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A popular stall at Bedok Reservoir Hawker Centre, Cheng Fa Fried Kway Tiao, has closed down.
The chef, known as Uncle Lim, had been cooking char kway teow there for over 40 years.
The wet style traditional char kway teow (S$4/ S$5) boasted a signature wok hei flavour that kept people hooked.
Despite lacking the clout of more famous char kway teow haunts, the stall always saw crowds of loyal customers coming to support the homely business.
via Google Maps Geraldine Wu
MP Pritam Singh was also a fan.
Suddenly gone
Seemingly out of the blue, the stall was discovered to have closed shop.
Customers who made the trip down to the hawker centre were left bereft and faced with a heart-dropping sight.
An empty stall — completely stripped of the fixtures responsible for whipping up the community's beloved comfort food.
via Facebook Esther New
The once bustling stall was now an abandoned hole in the wall, with only the unlit "Cheng Fa Fried Kway Tiao" as proof of what it had been.
Refusing to believe what this meant, people took to social media for answers.
via Facebook
In denial.
At last, everyone's greatest fears were confirmed.
A Facebook user wrote: "Spoke to Helen the lady boss on the phone just now, It's official."
via Facebook Ken Ken Ken
Talks of retirement
The stall's closure was apparently quite some time coming.
In April 2022, Uncle Lim had said he was thinking of retiring and asked if anyone was up for taking over the stall.
via Facebook
People speculated that Uncle Lim's retirement had to do with an injury he sustained, saying that he had fallen and fractured his arm.
Since they have vacated the space, however, there has yet to be anyone taking up the mantle.
At least for the foreseeable future, it looks like Uncle Lim's customers will have to satisfy their char kway teow cravings some place else.
Top images via Facebook Esther New and Google Maps Lawkoh