Toa Payoh wanton mee stall closes temporarily after owner, 57, gets diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer

A wanton mee stall in Toa Payoh has suspended its business after one of the owners was recently diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer and has now started chemotherapy.

Pin Xiang Wanton Mee, located at Toa Payoh Lor 4, has become a neighbourhood favourite since it began serving customers in 1993.

The notice put up at the shuttered stall, shared on Facebook on Oct. 20, simply stated that the closure was "due to personal circumstances".

It was a "difficult decision", and the owners are "unable to confirm if or when [they] will return", the notice added.

The diagnosis

He Mei Fa, 57, who runs the stall with his 52-year-old wife Ye Xue Ying (both names transliterated), revealed to Shin Min Daily News that he got the news on his birthday on Oct. 5.

Ye's birthday fell on the following day.

The couple could not believe it when they learnt about his diagnosis.

Despite having high blood pressure and diabetes, He had always thought he was still rather healthy.

But he started losing weight earlier in the year, and by October, he was feeling unwell and fatigued. After a health checkup, the doctor told him he had cancer.

Although it came as an unexpected blow, He is determined to face his cancer with a positive mind, and even jokingly asked his doctor whether he could still continue to run the stall.

He understood, however, that he needed to get healthy to support his family and not worry them.

Support from his family

His wife, who was devastated by his diagnosis, is his greatest source of support, Shin Min reported him as saying.

To allow him to rest during his treatment, the couple decided to suspend the stall's operations.

After finishing one round of chemotherapy, He would get tired more easily, but has felt no major impact on his daily life.

As his original plan to visit Xinjiang with his wife was cancelled, he hopes to take her to Finland after his recovery.

His older daughter described He a great father who used to take her and her sister cycling and to the library when he was free.

"He often said that we weren't wealthy, but since we were young, he signed us up for piano, drawing, and swimming lessons," she said.

Concern from customers

Over the 30 years that Pin Xiang Wanton Mee has been in operation, the stall often sees long queues of customers, according to Shin Min.

Many of their customers have become friends, and would even invite them to go on trips together, He shared.

A regular customer posted on Facebook that he was "really affected and sad to hear that Uncle fell sick", and wished that he would get well soon.

Speaking to Shin Min, He said he was grateful for the customers' concern, and hopes to reopen the stall when he gets better.

He added that he had talked to his two daughters about a potential takeover of the business in the future. If they are willing, he would help them out.