Bukit Panjang BBQ stall owner, 71, dies in his sleep 3 months after closing stall of 22 years
Condolences to the family.
Chua Leong Quay, a 71-year-old BBQ stall owner in Bukit Panjang, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 23, three months after closing the 22-year-old business he had devoted his life to. The stall, 163 Ikan Bakar BBQ, previously operated at Block 163 Gangsa Road before closing in May 2023 due to escalating costs. Chua, who had a heart condition for over a decade and was on medication, remained in good health.
His wife, who had been by his side for 40 years, noted that Chua was ordinarily active and would typically wake up early. However, on the day of his passing, she found him sleeping later than usual. Chua, a respected husband known for his gentle nature, had not raised his voice at his wife in all their years together. They had two children together.
The family, who had grown up in Bukit Panjang, cherished the BBQ stall as their second home, where they forged strong bonds with the community. Despite the closure, the couple remained hopeful about reopening elsewhere. Just a week before his death, Chua expressed his longing for the stall at Block 163. Having learned the art of making BBQ dishes from a relative in the 1980s, Chua began selling grilled dishes in 1989, before moving to their Gangsa Road location in 2004.
The family has expressed their gratitude for the overwhelming support they received during this challenging time, sharing a heartfelt message on the 163 Ikan Bakar BBQ Facebook page.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
