The former owner of the super popular hawker stall, Heng Ji Chicken Rice, Mdm Lim En Ai, has passed away at the age of 80.
Her obituary was shared on the Facebook group Hawkers United – Dabao 2020 on 22 Aug 2023. According to the obituary, Mdm Lim died on 21 Aug. Her memorial was held at 8pm on 23 Aug and her funeral took place on 24 Aug at 9.15am.
The OP of the post revealed in a comment that Mdm Ling had been “sick for quite sometime” before her eventual demise. The actual cause of her death is unknown.
The news was met with messages of condolences from netizens, with many expressing their sadness at the news. One netizen who had been dining at Heng Ji Chicken Rice since young described Mdm Lim as a nice lady, “always with a smile”.
Heng Ji Chicken Rice is known as one of Singapore’s oldest chicken rice stalls, with over 60 years of heritage. Many regard it as one of the best chicken rice stalls in the country, with its tender meat and fragrant rice. When we visited it earlier this year in April, we only had praise for its quality and amazing taste.
The stall first emerged at the old Smith Street food alley and was initially run by Mdm Lim’s father-in-law until her and her husband took over. During the covid pandemic in 2020, the stall closed for around a year, and reopened in Apr 2021.
As Mdm Lim continued to age, Heng Ji Chicken Rice was eventually taken over by younger owners, who proceeded to carry on the stall’s legacy. Mdm Lim then enjoyed her retirement before her death.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Mdm Lim’s family and loved ones, and hope that they find some solace in these trying times.
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Heng Ji Chicken Rice
335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-131, Singapore 050335
Heng Ji Chicken Rice
335 Smith Street, Chinatown Complex Food Centre, #02-131, Singapore 050335
