Qantas is paying tribute to one of Singapore’s longest standing dining institutions by bringing two signature dishes from Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant to its lounges at Changi Airport, following the restaurant’s closure after a century of serving generations of customers.
The family run restaurant holds a special place in the history of the Australian national carrier and its crews. Its story began during World War Two, when founder Au Yuen and his son, Au Chan Seng, affectionately known as “Fatty”, quietly provided food to prisoners of war despite the personal risks involved. As news of their generosity spread among Australian servicemen and Royal Australian Air Force pilots, the restaurant became a familiar gathering place for flight crews passing through Singapore.
For generations of Qantas pilots operating the Kangaroo Route between Australia and Europe via Singapore, Fatty’s became a cherished stop after long haul flights, known as much for its warm hospitality as its food.
Following the announcement that Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant would close, Qantas worked closely with the Au family to preserve part of its culinary legacy by introducing two of the restaurant’s best-known dishes in its Singapore airport lounges. Guests visiting the Qantas First Lounge can enjoy Fatty’s crispy spring rolls, while the restaurant’s famous Nuclear Chicken will be served in the Business Lounge.
The recipes were personally shared with Qantas chefs by 75-year-old “Skinny”, the third-generation custodian of Wing Seong Fatty’s, together with his brother Kelvin, other members of the Au family and the restaurant team. The dishes were showcased during a special event celebrating the restaurant’s enduring connection with the Qantas community.
Before the restaurant officially closed its doors, Qantas also organised a private farewell dinner for the Au family. During the gathering, the airline presented Skinny and his family with a commemorative book containing photographs and heartfelt messages from Qantas pilots, cabin crew and friends who had shared countless memories at the restaurant over the decades.
Qantas Chief Pilot Dick Tobiano said Wing Seong Fatty’s Restaurant occupied a special place in the hearts of many of the airline’s pilots and crew, reflecting the deep bond that had developed between the restaurant and generations of Qantas employees throughout its 100-year history.
