Introduction

In a charming corner of Chinatown Complex Food Centre, amidst the hustle and bustle of Singapore, you’ll find The Asian Makanstall, run by an inspiring duo, 74-year-old Bobby Lee and his wife, 70-year-old Wendy Wang. This duo has turned adversity into opportunity, serving delectable home-cooked dishes like laksa and mee hoon goreng, alongside a selection of traditional kueh.

Unique Selling Proposition

What truly sets their stall apart? A strikingly low price of S$2 for a bowl of Katong laksa, something that’s nearly unheard of in today’s dining landscape where hawker dishes often soar past S$4.

Challenges in Visibility

Despite the stellar value, many locals remain unaware of Lee’s laksa at his stall #02-055, just $2 from regular markets. “People don’t seem to know about our laksa yet,” Lee lamented. After moving to this stall just months ago from a location with higher visibility, Lee has been on a quest to find affordable rents, relocating four times in eight years, each move costing around S$2,000 to S$3,000.

Past Ventures

Earlier, Lee had attracted a following for his S$4 Indian-style biryani but found limited demand, especially when local office workers favored other hawker centers during weekdays. The modest foot traffic means weekends are their busiest days, as patrons travel from all across the island for a taste of his cooking.

Donation and Community Spirit

The amazing $2 offering came about thanks to a generous patron who donated S$2,000 after trying Lee's laksa and wanting to help others enjoy affordable meals. Initially, the plan was to provide free laksa, but Lee wisely suggested using the funds to reduce the price sustainably for more people.

Inclusivity in Offerings

"We had to remove the limit on offering the S$2 laksa only to senior citizens," Lee explained. “It would be too hard to manage.” Thus, anyone can now enjoy a bowl of laksa, regardless of their age, as long as supplies last.

Future Prospects

Currently, the initial funds have been spent, but Lee shares optimism with talks of a new donor bringing in an additional S$1,500, extending this affordable offer. In a heartwarming twist, some customers choose to pay extra, contributing between S$3 to S$4 instead of the base price as a way to 'pay it forward.'

Festive Offerings

As the festive season approaches, the couple is preparing special treats as well. Their homemade pineapple tarts will hit the shelves at S$19 per bottle - a delightful offering for Chinese New Year!

A New Beginning

Before diving into hawker life, Bobby was a quality assurance manager and faced a tough transition after being retrenched when his company shut down. Being only 50 at the time, he found it nearly impossible to secure another position despite over 100 interviews. So, he turned to entrepreneurship, enrolling in cooking classes while helping out with family finances through insurance.

Resilience and Purpose

“It was really challenging at first,” Lee shared, recalling how Wendy initially took care of all cooking while he honed his skills. “Now it’s more manageable, especially with the support of our children.”

Conclusion

The couple’s continued hard work in their 70s serves as a remarkable testament to resilience. They juggle running their stall with responsibilities like picking up their grandchildren from school, earning not just for survival but retaining purpose and connection in their golden years. "Sometimes, it’s better for older people not to stop moving!" Wendy chuckled, a reminder that age should never define someone's potential.

Call to Action

So, make a point to visit The Asian Makanstall at 335 Smith Street, #02-055 Chinatown Complex Food Centre; a bowl of delicious, affordable laksa awaits! Open from 11 AM to 2 PM, this hidden gem is slowly but surely making waves in Singapore's culinary scene, and who knows? You might become a part of the “cult following” right here! Don't miss out!