Owner of renowned Bukit Merah seafood restaurant, passes away at 77

The owner of the famed Ah Orh Seafood Restaurant at Bukit Merah has passed away on Feb. 8 at the age of 77, Zaobao reported.

Goh Leng Chia, also known as Uncle Ah Orh, took over the Teochew zi char business from his father, who first set it up as a pushcart stall at the former Ellenborough Market in 1919.

Melvin Chew, owner of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck And Kway Chap, described Uncle Ah Orh as "the heart and soul behind Ah Orh Seafood" who devoted his life to the hawker craft.

"His hard work, passion, and kindness touched countless lives in the food community and beyond," Chew wrote on Facebook.

Health problems

Uncle Ah Orh's oldest son, 50-year-old Goh Maih How, told Zaobao that his father had been hospitalised in early 2026.

The doctors found excessive fluid in his lungs, and Uncle Ah Orh began going in and out of the hospital.

Although his condition later improved, he was hospitalised again in Jan. 23 due to a fever, and remained there until he passed peacefully around 11pm on Feb. 8.

He is survived by his 76-year-old wife, three children, and four granddaughters.

"My father left very suddenly, but at least he parted from his illness and pain, which must be a relief for him," Goh Maih How said.

The legacy continues

Uncle Ah Orh passed the business down to his children in 2015, according to Zaobao.

His daughter, the eldest child, has been managing the restaurant, while Goh Maih How and the youngest son take charge of the cooking.

Still, their father continued to care about the restaurant and visited it even when he was using a wheelchair due to weak legs in the past few years, Goh Maih How shared.

The eldest son got emotional as he recalled how his father used to take on many responsibilities, both cooking and steaming fish.

His resilience has earned the admiration of his son and his patrons.

His three children will continue to run the business, carrying on their family's legacy.

Goh Maih How said that he has spent over 25 years learning the craft from his father, and will continue to work hard to recreate the original flavour of his father's cooking.

The funeral procession for Uncle Ah Orh will start at 11am on Feb. 13, towards Mandai Crematorium Hall.

Top images from Melvin Chew/Facebook and SL/Google Maps