When TikTok account @/anything.singapore shared a video of an elderly man behind his stall at Tiong Bahru Market, it tugged strongly at the heartstrings of Singaporeans.
But this was not just another hawker clip; it was the story of Uncle Tan, an 84-year-old fishmonger who has dedicated more than half a century of his life to the same stall.
A Lifetime Behind the Stall
In the video, Uncle Tan’s granddaughter, Yuki, states that her grandfather had arrived in Singapore from Malaysia over 50 years ago.
He initially began his journey by running a humble vegetable stall before he moved on to sell fish. As the days passed, through rain and shine, Uncle Tan stood faithfully behind his stall, serving Singaporean families who grew up shopping at Tiong Bahru Market.
To him, running the stall was not just another job. He expressed to his family,
“This store means everything to me.”
Yuki clarified in the video that her grandfather was making losses each month, but was still determined to keep selling fish. Uncle Tan chooses to continue even after his children had urged him to retire during the recent market renovations.
His resilience and devotion shines in an age where traditional trades are on the decline. His sense of identity is tied to a stall that has seen generations of Singaporeans pass by, and purpose and pride fuel him.
A Call to Support Local
In the video, his granddaughter thanked loyal customers and gently appealed to others: “For those who haven’t, please come down and give him a chance.”
The message struck a chord. Beyond the neatly wrapped fillets and fresh catch displayed on ice, Uncle Tan represents something bigger—the fading heritage of Singapore’s wet markets.
Supporting him means supporting the heartbeat of local trade, where stories of migration, sacrifice, and resilience live on through each stall.
Legacy of Tiong Bahru Market
Tiong Bahru Market was born in 1951 as Seng Poh Road Market, built as a simple wooden structure with zinc roofs to replace pre-war stalls on Tiong Poh Road. In 2004-06 it underwent a major rebuild and emerged as the two-storey Tiong Bahru Market & Food Centre.
Most recently, it closed from mid-April to mid-July 2025 for upgrades—its first major refresh since 2017. Despite modernisation, it remains cherished for its community feel, heritage hawkers and local flavours.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
In an era of supermarkets and delivery apps, it is easy to forget the people who have kept Singapore’s markets alive.
Uncle Tan’s stall can be found at #01-137, Tiong Bahru Market, 30 Seng Poh Rd, Singapore 168898. For those who grew up visiting the market, and for those yet to make the trip, perhaps it is time to stop by.
Buy a fish, exchange a smile, and keep alive the spirit of a man who has given his life to the trade. Supporting local is not just about what we take home for dinner, its significance remains in what we choose to preserve for tomorrow.
Find Anything SG’s Instagram post here.
Watch the video here:
@anything.singapore The fish stall that lived longer than most of you 👴🐠 Ah Gong doesn’t talk unless you buy fish from him… P.S. He’s actually 84 not 80! Oldest fishmonger at Tiong Bahru Market 🫡 #fyp #hawker #singapore #sg #fish #wetmarket #tiongbahrumarket
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
Bread, Tradition, and Roots: How a Singaporean Baker Found Belonging in France
‘Sole breadwinner of his family,’ Video Shines Light on 80-year-old Holland Village Cobbler
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
If you can, please do consider buying a mug or two to support Wake Up Singapore’s work!
