Wing Seong Fatty's Restaurant originally of Albert Street Singapore, the legendary centenarian closes for good on 27 Jun 2026.
I joined kaki kaki for dinner at Wing Seong Fatty's before the well loved institution's final farewell. Lots of people were here for Fatty's last hurrah.
Fatty's (now at Bencoolen Street) has an air conditioned indoor section and an al fresco section.
Many of Fatty's fans have always preferred the al fresco section like the old days at Albert Street (even during the current heat wave 🥵 ).
Fatty Au Chan Seng was actually the second generation. Fatty's father Au Yuen started the two-storey restaurant serving Cantonese cuisine at Albert Street in 1926.
Along Albert Street, which was a chaotic food paradise with around 60 popular street hawker stalls and restaurants, only Fatty Au Chan Seng could speak fluent, impeccable English. Fatty studied at St. Joseph's Institution (an independent Catholic school founded in 1852 by the De La Salle Brothers).
He was also an excellent chef but most importantly, Fatty was a man with a good heart. His motto was "always do good things" and he was blessed many folds in return.
During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, Fatty and his father would at great risk to themselves discreetly slipped food and cigarettes to starving Australian prisoners of war doing forced labour near their restaurant at Albert Street. (Food was rationed and scarce for everyone including civilians.)
Many of these grateful soldiers returned to visit Fatty after the war. The ex-prisoners of war asked how they could repay Fatty. Fatty simply said, just tell people about his cooking.
Some of these ex-prisoners became air crew of Quantas, Australia's national airline. Fatty's became popular with Quantas crew and Fatty's reputation spread worldwide. British Airways, Emirates and other major airline crews also called on Fatty's whenever they stopped over Singapore on the Kangaroo Route (between Sydney / Melbourne and London).
The astute chef was attuned to preferences of his international customers and offered them an "Omakase" of sorts. Meals at Fatty's were always delicious, satisfying, and Fatty never shortchanged his customers (never taking advantage of their trust and unfamiliarity with Cantonese cuisine).
Wing Seong Restaurant at Albert Street in 1986. After sixty years, in 1987 Wing Seong Fatty's moved into Albert Complex.
By that time, at least six other unrelated stalls and restaurants assumed the Fatty Wing moniker without permission, to take advantage of Fatty's fame.
When the media asked him about the situation, Fatty Au Chan Seng shrugged it off with a "live and let live" attitude in his usual charitable style.
In 1999, Fatty's moved here at Bencoolen Street and handed over the reins to Skinny, his son Au Kok Wing. Skinny, because Kok Wing is built lean unlike his rotund father.
Fatty Au Chan Seng passed on in May 2000 at age 78.
Fatty's run by Skinny was still using this weathered, simple plastic laminated paper menu when we visited in Jun 2026.
Fatty's menu was extensive with over 100 dishes and they were the same for 100 years, since 1926.
Amazing isn't it? The same dishes and taste for 100 years.
Fried kway teow with gravy 什锦河粉.
Truth be told, I ate at Fatty's only once before, in 1997. I remember the date clearly because it was to celebrate our class' return from training in Australia.
Pardon me that I could only remember the great experience, and the wonderful hor fun (rice noodles). The heady wok hei was still there today. The meaty prawns were huge, shelled, de-veined, crunchy to the bite and rich with natural umami and sweetness.
Fatty's uses only fresh wild prawns from the start, never farmed, frozen or quick-freeze nonsense.
Shark fin with crab meat 蟹璜鱼翅.
Braised abalone 红烧鲍鱼.
Steamed threadfin fish tail 魚尾 Cantonese style.
Fried prawns with oats 麦片虾球. Skinny's daughter's favourite dish at Fatty's.
Sliced fish Indonesian style. (Fatty's also have this dish done with chicken.)
Sweet and sour pork 咕噜肉.
Chili kang kong 叁峇应菜 (spicy water spinach).
We enjoyed every dish we had. Despite the crushing crowd here for their last hurrah, we thoroughly enjoyed their skilfully executed food. I can still feel the palpable pride in every dish served as if the late Fatty was present. The flavours reminded me of how it was like, back to that evening in 1997.
Fatty's restaurant may close but let's make sure his legacy and story live on long into the future.
Thank you Fatty Wing and family.
Restaurant name: Wing Seong Fatty's
Address: 175 Bencoolen St, #01-31 Burlington Square, Singapore 189649 (Burlington Square)
Nearest MRT: 5 minute walk from Rochor station
Tel: 6338 1087
Hours: 12 noon - 2 pm | 5pm - 10 pm (Mon off)
Read more 👉
I have an article on their amazing soya sauce chicken 👈
And, a separate article on their beef brisket noodle and shrimp dumplings 👈
They are the only link we have left to the legend of Fatty Wing now. Do pay them a visit, their food is wonderful, I vouch for it.
Written by Tony Boey on 7 Jun 2026
Who is Tony Johor Kaki?
A precious video of Fatty's in the 1980s. We will never have such moments again in Singapore
Another unsung hero. 👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I’ll admit didn’t know Fatty Weng had such an epic history until now🙏
ReplyDeleteMemories of their food stall at night at Albert St in the mid '70s.....a draw of both locals and expats....Ioved their meals & flavours!
ReplyDeleteGreat story I remember that stall.
ReplyDeleteFamily gatherings favorite place. Good hearts good food good vibes
ReplyDeleteOh, wow, I remember him as a child at Albert St.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sir 🇦🇺
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear this I have visited the restaurant many times
ReplyDeleteThey had the best fried rice!
ReplyDeleteA stone's throw away from my family's flat in Singapore They buy takeaway or eat there often
ReplyDelete肥仔荣
ReplyDeleteFei Zai Wing
Best chicken/cashew stir fry like many cultural things in Singapore coming to an end will be missed
ReplyDeleteMy dad would take me there for dinner in the ‘70s. I remember sitting outside and the food was delicious…
ReplyDeleteWith all my respect, I salute you♥️👍
ReplyDeleteI lived in block 10 Selegie House. From my back balcony, I could hear and see whatever was going on..especially in the evening. There were 2 similar restaurants on that street but mainly catered to locals.
ReplyDeleteHad some good times at Fatty's.
ReplyDeleteWith Best pork chops and fried rice.
ReplyDeletehad a chance to eat at the original store (before moving next to sim lim square) during poly days !
ReplyDeleteTheir best food is hor fun
ReplyDeleteI met this uncle before when I was helping out in my father's curry fish head shophouse at Middle Road. He always cycled down in this white shirt to eat my dad's curry chicken drumstick. Later then I know he is fatty wing.
ReplyDeleteMy family & I used to savour Fatty's food at Albert St. years ago, Fatty's legacy lives on!
ReplyDeleteWhen the British forces in Singapore, many hawkers well patronised by the servicemen are “stuck up” and at times ignored the local buyers. Personal observation at Changi Village near Changi RAF base.
ReplyDeleteIn 50s to 70s I lived just opposite the Fatty's restaurant, along Albert Street. The business was so good every night end up in the early hours of next day.
ReplyDeleteLove to eat his 沙㷛鱼头
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid eat with my family.
I used to call him 肥叔 (广东语)..
He is very friendly ,nice n a good uncle to me...
Will always memorise him .....
Always remember this friendly smile🙏👍❤️
Naomi & The Boys together then enjoyed many dinners at Fatty’s after our live performances shows. Their Chinese food was excellent. Nice Memories.
ReplyDeleteMany unsung heroes in Singapore during the Jap occupation. Funny why these stories are not taught in school.
ReplyDeleteHe was a legend not just the locals, the expats as well. ! Love his food!
ReplyDeleteI remember well going there with my Parents, I remember also there was a retired filipino retired boxer who looked after cars opposite his restaurant... Best Char Siew .
ReplyDeleteThanks for this slice of history which many of us are not aware of
ReplyDeleteFond memories of visits to Fatty’s in 1950’s - always with excited anticipation.
ReplyDelete