Page 134 - Our Hawker Stories

The Kaya Toast Legacy

At the heart of every hawker stall lies a story — one of
grit, heritage, and family. Our interview with a veteran
hawker revealed just that. With hands that have
kneaded dough and shaped lives for over three decades,
he shared with us the story of how he came to inherit his
family’s business.

“My mum left the store to me,” he told us, a simple
statement filled with love and responsibility. When asked
if his children were helping him now, he smiled and said,
“They have their jobs. I can still work, so I continue.”

His journey began when he was just a young boy,
learning side-by-side with his parents. By his twenties,
he was already helping out full-time. “I learnt from my
father and mother,” he said. “It’s been over 30 years.”

Time may have aged him, but it has not diminished his
spirit. “I’m old now,” he said matter-of-factly, but the “We saw how being a hawker takes hard
twinkle in his eye told another story — of a man still work, strong values, and a deep love for
passionate about his craft and proud of what he serves. family and heritage.”

When we asked if his customers still liked coming back,
he laughed and replied, “Okay, not bad. I got a group of
regular customers. After trying my food, they all say it’s Zhang Junjie, Gavin & Tan En Qi
good.” His confidence was quiet but unwavering. P5 Responsibility & P6 Integrity
Endeavour Primary School
We asked one final question: “Is your bread good?”

“Next time you can try, and you’ll know,” he grinned. We
will.

Through his story, we learnt that hawker culture is not
just about food — it’s about dedication, memories
passed down, and pride in serving others. We hope
more people get to taste not just his bread, but the
legacy baked into every bite.

130 Our Hawker Stories