Page 67 - Our Hawker Stories

At the Sembawang Hill Hawker Centre, a familiar face
greets regulars each morning with a warm smile and a
plate of perfectly toasted kaya bread.

“I started helping out at this stall when I was young,”
Mdm Irene Tan shares. “This stall was handed down to
me from my mother.” For over thirty years, Mdm Tan has
kept her family’s legacy alive.

Though her children have their careers now, she
continues to run the stall independently.

“I’m still strong and fit to work, so I keep going,” Mdm
Tan shares. This sense of purpose is reflected in every
movement, from the swift spreading of kaya to the
careful pouring of coffee for her loyal customers.

Mdm Tan credits her mother as her most outstanding Her signature kaya toast is a timeless classic. “If it’s your
first time, that’s what you should try,” she laughs.
teacher. “Everything I know, I learnt by watching and
helping my mother – the recipes, the timing taken, the Behind simplicity lies dedication, skill and pride. Her
way we treat our customers,” she shares cheerfully.
advice to young hawkers? “It’s tough work. Start small.
Her day starts before sunrise. Mornings are the busiest And most importantly – do it with heart,” she shares.
as office workers drop by for breakfast.
Mdm Tan is more than a cook – she is a keeper of
“I have a group of regular customers. They are all friendly tradition and a quiet hero. Her kaya toast, just like her
story, is warm, humble and unforgettable.
and nice. They love my kaya toast,” Mdm Tan shares.
“It’s this genuine connection that keeps people coming
back and fueling my determination to run the stall well.”
“Madam Tan’s kaya toast isn’t just breakfast
Despite long hours, rising costs and growing competition, — it’s a bite of history, handmade with love,
Mdm Tan remains committed. “You do your best, and passed down through generations.”
your customers will come,” she shares.

Zhang Junjie, Gavin and Tan En Qi
P5 Responsibility & P6 Integrity
Endeavour Primary School

Our Hawker Stories 63