SINGAPORE: After more than six decades in business, a turtle soup stall in Jalan Besar is set to close permanently following medical advice to its owner.
Very Lucky Turtle Soup, located at Berseh Food Centre in Jalan Besar, will cease operations by the end of August 2025.
The closure comes after the stall owner, 65-year-old Chua Yoke Lin, was hospitalised in April 2025 after experiencing dizziness and weakness in his legs while working at the stall, Shin Min Daily News reported.
According to Shin Min, the brand was originally founded by Chua’s parents in the 1960s.
The current stall, run by Chua, has been operating since 1981 and is well known for its turtle soup, as well as more than 20 other dishes, including crocodile meat soup and claypot rice.
14-Hour Workdays on His Feet
Speaking to Shin Min, Chua recounted the struggles his parents faced when they first started the family business.
Having helped out since he was young, Chua briefly left to learn how to prepare claypot rice but ultimately returned to take over the family’s turtle soup legacy.
For years, Chua would open the stall at around 9am and only return home at 11pm, spending about 14 hours a day on his feet.
On 18 April, Chua began feeling unwell after starting work for the day.
He was later rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a contagious virus and poor blood circulation in his legs, caused by prolonged standing.
Doctors warned that continuing such long hours on his feet could lead to disability.
Chua was hospitalised for three weeks and took additional time off after his discharge to recuperate.
Prioritising his health, Chua eventually decided to close the stall by the end of August.
“My mother told me that if I want to close it down, I should not feel pity about it,” he said.
“I also do not want to continue working until I have to rely on a walking stick to go around. I hope I can get some good rest after retiring.”
Willing to Sell Secret Recipes
Chua revealed that he has two sons, who work as a manager and a pork supplier respectively.
While they had expressed interest in taking over the stall, Chua declined their offers.
“Practising this trade requires determination. Those who are not interested will find it difficult to continue in the long run,” he explained.
Chua said he would be returning the stall to the authorities after its closure but is open to selling his secret recipes for S$40,000 to anyone interested in continuing the trade.
“If they have the heart to learn, they can pick it up in a week or a few weeks,” he said.
Chua added that he would teach the person everything he knows.
He also said he would visit the stall in future to see if there was anything that could be improved.
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