Co-Owner Of S’pore’s Only Michelin’s Bib Gourmand Nasi Lemak Restaurant Passes Away At 40

The Coconut Club’s Co-Owner Lee Eng Su Passes Away At 40

In 2016, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong treated Philippines President Duterte to nasi lemak at a restaurant at Ann Siang Hill called The Coconut Club. The restaurant serves a unique kind of nasi lemak, with enough quality in its ingredients to earn a visit from Mr Lee and Mr Duterte.

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In 2018, the restaurant, with its dedication to the dish, made it to Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list, joining 49 other hawkers and restaurants from Singapore.

Unfortuantely, bad news befell the rising restaurant on 12 Sep. Its co-owner Mr Lee Eng Su passed away suddenly in his home.

From left: the late Mr Lee and his partners, Mr Lee & Mr Kamal
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According to The Straits Times, the family has declined to reveal the cause of death. Mr Lee was 40 years old at the time of his death.

Like family to the staff

Some of the staff from the restaurant told The Straits Times that Mr Lee treated everyone in the restaurant like family — which is a value he reiterated during interviews.

Another staff, a single mum, added that Mr Lee would always make the effort to ask how she was and made good conversation.

She had not planned to stay in the F&B industry, but working with Mr Lee and the rest of the people in the restaurant changed her mind.

Mr Lee also had a heart for the community, educating the less fortunate and giving back to society.

Had a passion for nasi lemak

Whenever Mr Lee spoke of nasi lemak, he spoke about it with tremendous passion, which he developed after attending a nasi lemak convention in Kuala Lumpur in 2014. Thereafter, he dedicated his time and energy to creating the perfect nasi lemak.

Nasi Lemak from The Coconut Club
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Together with his partners, Lee Chan Wai and Kamal Samuel, they set up The Coconut Club and served up a flavourful and well-balanced plate of the timeless dish.

And if a visit from the Prime Minister and his guest, as well as a place on the Michelin’s Bib Gourmant list are anything to go by, Mr Lee’s dream was probably realised.

MS News extends our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Mr Lee.

Hopefully, Mr Lee’s legacy will continue to live on.

Featured image from Pinky Piggu and Instagram.