July 2018 - Scoot In-flight Magazine

FEATURE STORY
“I come here
because I like
being here. I get
to meet people
from all walks
of life.”
folks, and even gangsters. Our
customers are what make this
place interesting.”
The old man is happy to
keep reminiscing about his
early years, but unfortunately
lunch hour beckons. “Sorry
ah, have to go…” Uncle Ong
excuses himself and returns
to his post. As noontime
approaches, people begin to
trickle in from nearby shops,
offices, and homes. Soon the
eating house is once again
packed. I see hardware store
proprietors sharing tables
with housewives, real estate
agents, and delivery guys. A
pair of businessmen conducts
their meeting over noodles,
not far from a squad of
construction workers quietly
emptying plates of curry rice.
Zipping around them is Uncle
Ong, a busy bee taking orders,
clearing tables, collecting
payment, washing plates
– and yes, serving kopi.
The tide of hungry diners
turns, and by 2 p.m. all is once
again calm. Keng Wah Sung
usually has four or five
employed “uncles” at any
given time (one is an “aunty”
actually), with each person
holding equal duties at the
counter, the tables, and the
kitchen. “There are endless
little bits and pieces of things
to do. It all adds up to a lot of
work,” Uncle Ong explains.
These days, his youngest
brother opens the shop at
5:30 a.m., and runs things
until half-past nine. From
there, Uncle Ong takes charge
of operations until 7 p.m.
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