In 1986, Han Keen Juan, the group’s executive chairman and controlling shareholder, bought over the business. According to newspaper archives, Chang was said to be a distant relative of Chang’s. As of March 31 this year, Han has a direct interest in 71.1 million shares in Old Chang Kee, representing 58.61% of the company’s total stake.
The name Old Chang Kee (SGX:5ML
) immediately comes to mind when it comes to traditional Singaporean snacks. The company is synonymous with mouth-watering snacks and finger food, including its iconic curry puffs (also known as Curry’O), spring rolls, fishballs, fried cuttlefish and breaded prawns, just to name a few.
Established in 1956, Old Chang Kee began as a humble stall owned and operated by Chang Chuan Boon, a Hainanese immigrant. Chang sold curry puffs filled with fried chicken, curried potatoes, and a slice of hard-boiled egg. He subsequently moved his stall to Albert Street, a location known for its street hawkers until 1981. In 1973, Chang opened a second stall within a coffee shop near Rex Cinema on Mackenzie Road, where his curry puffs gained popularity and became known as the “Rex curry puffs.”
