SINGAPORE – The culinary world mourns the loss of Mr. Looi San Cheng, the esteemed founder of the beloved local brand Tip Top Curry Puff, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 80. Reports indicate that he suffered a heart attack in his home on October 28.

Speaking at her father's wake on October 30, his daughter, Liang Huiping, revealed that Mr. Looi had been battling chronic health issues, including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, and had been on long-term medication for his blood pressure. "He didn’t want to burden anyone, so he kept his health problems to himself," she told reporters, emphasizing the shock his sudden passing brought to the family.

Mr. Looi’s roots trace back to Tanjung Balai on Indonesia’s Karimun Island, where he grew up as the third of eight siblings. His early career saw him working as an electrician and contractor, a path he eventually diverted into the food and beverage industry, perhaps inspired by his Hainanese heritage; his father had operated a coffee shop. Ms. Liang reminisced about her father's passion for cooking, particularly Western cuisine.

In 1976, Mr. Looi began selling his signature curry puffs from a bakery in Marine Parade. His innovations quickly won over customers, leading him to open a stall in Ang Mo Kio just three years later. At the time, curry puffs were largely unheard of, with many customers confusing them for doughnuts. “I sensed a market for them, and that’s what fueled my venture,” he shared in a 2006 interview.

The secret to the popularity of Tip Top Curry Puffs lies in Mr. Looi's unique recipe, featuring a special blend of Indonesian curry powder, fresh Dutch potatoes, and an intricate mix of 18 herbs and spices. This dedication to quality caught the attention of then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who highlighted the brand's international expansion during his National Day Rally speech in 2006. At that time, Tip Top had established outlets in Harbin and Shenyang, China, illustrating the brand's growing influence.

In 2011, Tip Top became a joint venture, expanding its horizons further with several branches throughout Singapore, including locations at Changi Airport Terminal 1, One Raffles Place, Bugis Junction, Compass One, Tampines Century Square, and E!Hub@Downtown East.

Mr. Looi’s funeral will take place on November 2 at the Singapore Funeral Parlour in Tampines. As the community reflects on his profound impact on local cuisine, his legacy as a culinary pioneer will continue to inspire future generations. The beloved Tip Top Curry Puff brand stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to quality, ensuring that his memory will endure in the hearts of curry puff fans everywhere.