This Popular Ampang Yong Tau Foo Eatery Is Closing Down After Half A Century
The eatery's last day of business will be 8 February.
By Sadho Ram - 15 Jan 2024, 02:22 AM
Cover image via FMTNestled inside a house in Kuala Ampang, Selangor, Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo has been serving Hakka fare for nearly half a century
In its heyday, the humble eatery drew crowds from near and far, even Singapore, with its delicious, affordable food. Weekends saw long lines, while weekdays hummed with steady customers.
Originally near Ampang's Flamingo Hotel, the eatery was forced to move to a house in Kuala Ampang due to the construction of the Sungai Besi–Ulu Klang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) Highway.
Highway Ampang welcomed all, offering Muslim-friendly options and building a diverse community. Their secret? In-house fish paste, made with premium ikan parang, and a unique fish bone broth.
Despite its storied past, rising costs and a hefty licence fee — going from RM900 per year for its original commercial location to RM2,000 every six months in a residential area — have forced 63-year-old proprietor Elaine Siow to give up and close down the eatery. Its last day is on 8 February.
Image via Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo
Image via Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo
Despite facing adversity and rising costs, Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo has remained committed to keeping prices low
The reason, as shared by Siow who has run the place with her two sisters since she was 17, is rooted in a desire to serve all customers, irrespective of income.
The menu still features items like 60 sen iced Chinese tea and RM1.50 yong tau foo dishes.
"We are not so business-minded as to only want to make money. We want everybody to come here and eat, not just 'rich' people who can afford to pay RM2 (per dish)," she told FMT.
"We sell our food at RM1.50; some people take two bowls of rice and three dishes of yong tau foo, which is RM6 to RM9. Some of these people, we don't even charge them for Chinese tea," she added.
In a heartfelt farewell message posted on its website, Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo expressed gratitude to all who supported it
It announced the closure, set for 8 February 2024, asking customers to stop by one last time.
Image via Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo
Location:
2, Lorong Awan 1,
Kuala Ampang 68000 Ampang, Selangor
Business hours:
9am to 5pm, all week
Website:
Highway Ampang Yong Tau Foo
