Historical Background
The now famous chicken rice business was origanally started by their grandfather, Mr. Loh Hwa Heng, popularly known by his nickname of "Fatty Loh", in 1969 at a stall at
No. 115, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, Penang, which was then the only coffee shop there. Jalan Tanjong Tokong, at that time was the only road in that area, and the surrounding was mainly made up of rambutan and mangosteen estates. At that time, business was then mostly confined to the residents staying around Tanjong Tokong area.
However, due to popular demand for the delicious roasted as well as the plain boiled chicken, and also the uniquely cooked rice and broth, the business expanded. Words also spread far and wide about the delicacies available at Fatty Loh's stall, and customers from other areas in Penang and other States began to patronise the stall.
In 1978, the business was taken over by the eldest son, Mr. Loh Kok Keong, who further expanded the business and additional dishes, such as salted fish curry, hot and spicy vegetable soup and bean curd and egg braised in soya sauce, were added to the daily menu.
As a result of the growing popularity of Fatty Loh Chicken Rice, other stalls and shops in the immediate vicinity began sprouting up, especially along Jalan Fettes and Jalan Tanjong Tokong, as businesses became more viable due to the ensuing increase in human traffic in the area. The growth in businesses in the area became more obvious with the subsequent expansion of the make-shift morning market along Jalan Fettes when more stalls were opened up by the hawkers .
With the demise of Mr. Loh Kok Keong in 1978, the business came under the management of his eldest son,
Mr. Loh Seng Hooi.The present Mr. "Fatty Loh" not only maintains the high quality standards set by his fore-fathers during the last two generations, but also managed to improve them further by introducing new roasting methods using the "Apollo" ovens.
Side orders such as, chicken legs and mushrooms braised in soya sauce, "kerabu" chicken legs, pork legs braised in black vinegar sauce, etc were added to the menu so as to offer a wider range of choices to the customers.
To ensure that the highest quilities are consistently maintained at all times, Mr. Loh personally attends to the processing, roasting and boiling of the chickens every morning. According to Mr. Loh, "the best way to promote customer satisfaction and loyalty is to maintain the highest standards, in the quality and quantity of the dishes on the menu and also the services rendered to customers". He added that, it is most gratifying whenever customers come up to tell me "you make the most delicious chicken rice" or "I've never tasted such wonderful chicken rice before !" Such feedbacks have often been received from the customers. Mr. Loh also said that he always welcome suggestions and feedbacks from the customers as these will unltimately help him to improve not only the qualities ofthe dishes on the daily menu but also the customer services
While operating at No. 115, Jalan Tanjong Tokong, Penang, the business was known as "Fettes Park Chicken Rice".
The chicken rice business expanded further and by 1996, due to the constraint in the seating capacity at the rented stall and also the inpending eviction by the new landlord who wanted to redevelop their recently acquired property, Mr. Loh moved his business to a newly renovated shop
at 501 K and 501 L, Jalan Tanjng Bungah, 11200 Penang. The business name was also changed to "Fatty Loh Chicken Rice" by which it is still presently known. There he operated the business for four years until March 20h, 2000 when he shifted to the present shop at 21, Jalan Fettes, Fettes Park, 11200 Penang, Malaysia.
It can therefore be said that Fatty Loh Chicken Rice has gone back to it's "roots" or own "home ground" in Fettes Park, Penang, where it can be operated more efficiently due to sufficient seating capacity and where it is more customer friendly in view of the ample free parking facility at the Private Car Park directly next to the shop.