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Founder of Fatty Cheong roast meat stall at ABC Brickworks passes away aged 58
His two sons learnt how to cook from him from the age of 16.
October 21, 2024, 10:33 AM
Chan Tuck Cheong, the founder of the famous Fatty Cheong roast meat stall at the ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre, has passed away.
He was 58.
Chan's stall was known for its tender charcoal-grilled char siew, along with other roasted meats, and routinely attracted long queues.
Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer
Chan's passing was announced by his son Lachlan in a Facebook post on Oct. 20, which was reposted to the "Hawkers United - Dabao 2020" Facebook group.
The post in Chinese read, "Dad, you're finally free from the pain. Don't worry, we will take good care of mummy, and live our lives well. You will always be our pride."
Chan's daughter Chen Liming (transliteration) told Lianhe Zaobao that her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year and also underwent chemotherapy.
Chen added that her father had an operation a month ago, but passed away in hospital on Oct. 19.
Dreamt of becoming "King of Roasted Pork"
In a 2021 interview with Lianhe Wanbao, Chan said he grew up with seven other siblings and did not graduate from primary school.
Instead, he worked as an apprentice at a teahouse from the age of 10 to earn extra money.
As he grew up trying barbecued meats on the streets of Chinatown, Chan dreamt of becoming the "King of Roasted Pork" and starting his own brand.
Chan later learned the art of roasting meat from a Hong Kong chef, and in 1992, opened Fatty Cheong Char Siew Rice in ABC Brickworks Market and Food Centre.
His two sons also learnt how to cook from him from the age of 16 so as to help out with the business.
As for why his stall had the name "Fatty Cheong", Chan previously told 8days that it was his nickname.
He said: “You’d want people to remember you easily. I used to be very fat, 140kg! People are used to calling me Fatty Cheong. It’s a familiar name. Like if you say you want to drink Starbucks, people will know you’re referring to coffee.”
Top image from Chinaphong K. Foursquare/ Google Maps
