He dreams of taking the humble kai see hor fun (chicken kway teaw) to great heights by introducing it to the world. Ultimately this delicious slippery rice noodle soup would be synonymous with his brand Little Katong.
Datuk David Tan Sek Yin is not quite there yet but royalties and celebrities are regular customers of the kai see hor fun from his stalls around Ipoh and at his newly opened cafe Little Katong in a quiet suburb of Ipoh.
On the Little Katong cafe wall, is a portrait of him with award-winning actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh. “She is not a client, she is my Godsister,” David clarified, directing his gaze at another portrait of him and his wife with the actress and her mother Datin Janet Yeoh.
David added that he had been busy preparing to serve 500 bowls of kai see hor fun at the Istana (palace) at Kuala Kangsar, Perak on the first day of Hari Raya.
This 68-year-old former industrialist knew nothing about the food and beverage industry when he retired as executive director of the then Tasek Corporation Berhad 11 years ago but knew it was time to take his passion for cooking seriously.
After spending a year writing and researching for his recipe books about traditional dishes and going on cooking demonstration road shows, David was prompted to open his food outlet.
His other passion is nature photography but in line with his new career in FNB, David has turned to food photography.
David’s day started early and he laboured from early morning till way into the night trying to perfect the authentic taste of the kai see hor fun which, he stressed, must have that old taste. The magazine-styled kitchen and an outdoor extension became his test kitchen. When he opened his first stall in town David did his marketing and was meticulous to the fault of his ingredients. He would go to way off markets to buy chillies because “they are cheaper and spicier,” he said.
And with his entrepreneurial mindset, he would naturally seek solutions to save time and money. For him, anything that he could save, whether in time or money, would equate to profits for the business.
Seven years ago David talked about taking the kai see hor fun to the UK and Australia where there are large communities of Malaysians. Since then he has managed to develop the soup into powder form and ready to pack off the iconic noodles as instant noodles.
“I developed this powder product myself through trial and error. This powder is sent to Kuala Lumpur and Johore where bowls of the authentic kai see hor fun are being served.
“At first I tried reducing the stock but that was inconsistent. I decided to experiment with powders like chicken stock, milk powder and other powdered ingredients to concoct the authentic taste.
“Everything except the most important special ingredient, the own blended red oil, is in liquid form,” says David who is far from calling it a day as he sets new targets for selling the noodles.
“My target is 1000 bowls a day but since I am also selling Katong laksa, which is also a favourite of Michelle Yeoh, the popularity is divided.
“I am driven by people who are happy eating my cooking,” says David who also has the crowd-favourite Cathays Mee Mamak on his menu.
He had 8 stalls around Ipoh selling kai see hor fun but the MCO shut them down and only two are still open for business.
“Little Katong Cafe was my mother’s dream because she didn’t want me to run around so much tending to the stalls. She said I should focus my business in one place. But she passed away almost 2 years ago while renovation went on.”
Soon after the cafe opened, David had a special catering to grace the outlet. “It was Michelle’s private party for 150 family members to celebrate her marriage to Jean Todt. Needless to say, kai see hor fun Katong laksa was also on the menu,” David adds.
After 10 years of perfecting and promoting the sumptuous bowl of hor fun how would David rate his kai see hor fun?
“There are many versions of the Ipoh kai see hor fun being sold but there aren’t many who would have the ‘old taste’. I believe I have achieved that taste.
“Besides, if you make it in Ipoh, your product can sell anywhere in the world because Ipoh customers are the worst!
“They want it cheap, they want it good, they don’t want to wait for their food, they want easy parking and they want cool places! There is no need for these in KL. Whether the food is good or bad they will still queue for it!” David plans to take his business to KL. – JE Tan
Contact Little Katong at +60125257755
