Founder of Hup Lee Fried Bee Hoon, Which Has 90 Outlets in S’pore, Dies at 51

Whenever you’re hungry and need a budget meal, you’d be familiar with the $2.50 Kway Chap Set at Mountbatten. In the same grain, you should be familiar with the hawker chain Hup Lee Fried Bee Hoon which had been selling $3 to $5 meals and has expanded from three to four outlets, to about 90 outlets islandwide.

Shin Min Daily News reported that the founder of the chain, Mr Tan Boon Hai, had died of heart failure on 2 May 2024 at 51 years old.

Hup Lee Fried Bee Hoon – A Flourishing Business 

During Mr Tan’s wake in Yio Chu Kang on 4 May, Mr Tan’s partner Huang Suling, 50, told Shin Min Daily News that he had been ambitious growing up and honed his cooking skills by helping his mother at a stall in Yishun.

It was mentioned that he would write down his entrepreneurial plans and action steps, which led him to open his first stall in Woodlands.

He only had secondary school qualifications but had worked hard and earned money from working at the family business.

This continued on, and eventually allowed him to open three more stalls and a factory to mass-produce chilli sauce, marinades and bee hoon.

Shin Min Daily News also stated that he had invited friends and relatives to join his successful expansion which had peaked in the early 2000s.

Over 10 years, he managed to open a total of 90 stalls.

Mr Tan Was Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

According to Shin Min Daily News, Mr Tan experienced his left hand becoming weak in Feb 2022.

He visited six doctors and was eventually diagnosed with ALS.

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is the most common form of Motor Neuron Disease. It is a neurological disorder that affects neurons (nerves) that control movement.

Some symptoms include:

• Weakening arms and/or hands that impair daily functions such as getting dressed and pressing buttons
• Weakening legs and/or ankles leading to foot-dragging, tripping and falling
• Breathlessness during light exertion
• Slurred speech, drooling and swallowing difficulties

ALS was found to be more common among people aged 50 and above and is more prevalent among men.

The disease has no cure.

Mr Tan’s Heart Failure

Ms Huang told Shin Min Daily News that Mr Tan’s condition improved with the use of medication, but he had started coughing and lost his appetite five days before his passing.

While Mr Tan was heading to the hospital for a check-up, his heart failed.

Doctors had reportedly performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Mr Tan.

He was revived momentarily but his blood pressure remained low and he eventually passed. He was 51 years old.

Shin Min Daily News also reported that Ms Huang hopes ALS patients remain positive and not be afraid.