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The 2nd generation owner of Jurong East’s famous Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh at Yuhua Market & Hawker Centre, Mr Phua Swan Yeow, has passed away.
He was believed to be 48 years old.
Boasting a multi-generational following since 1984, the beloved bak kut teh store was added to the Michelin Guide list of hawker stalls a few years ago. While the cause of his passing was not revealed, the heartbreaking news was first shared by a member of Hawkers United – Dabao 2020, Mr Roy Tan, who had attended Mr Phua’s wake.
Affectionately referred to as Ah Yeow, Mr Phua has helmed Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh for the past 21 years after his late father handed him the reins to this traditional trade. According to Mr Tan, the late owner recently “opened a new stall” in April at Taman Jurong Food Centre which is still under renovation.
The fate of the family business is unfortunately now uncertain.
In memory of Mr Phua, here is what sets them apart from other bak kut teh stores.
It is one of the few hawker stalls that keeps the age-old Gong Fu Tea Ceremony alive. Therefore, it is common to see customers pairing their “肉骨汤 (pork rib soup)” with cups of Chinese Tea from the historical Pek Sin Choon. This truly represents the in bak kut teh.
Described as a peppery brown soup with a tinge of sweetness, the store’s signature Rou Gu Cha features generous pieces of tender pork ribs. In addition, Hua Xing Bak Kut Teh provides unlimited soup refills that are poured from kettles found around the hawker stall.
They also occupy another hawker stall unit that is renowned for selling Teochew-style Steamed Fish that can be enjoyed with their bak kut teh as well.
With the news of Mr Phua’s passing coming as a shock to many, we would like to express our deepest condolences to his loved ones.
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