Our Story and History
since 1989
The idea to start a Na Na Homemade Curry (NNHC) stall was started in 1989 by Yap Hock Kee, Grandma Khim’s eldest son, while the family gathered over a meal of curries prepared by Grandma Khim.
Na Na Homemade Curry’s first outlet at Marina South in that year, made a name for itself fairly quickly and was a hit amongst avid curry fans who would travel all the way there just to have their favourite dose of spicy curry. However, a spike in rental rates forced the decision to relocate.
​
In 1996, NTUC Fairprice caught on the curry fever and opened a chain of franchised stalls with the popular Na Na Homemade Curry brand. This collaboration lasted over a period of 3 years.
Today, Na Na Homemade Curry has 4 outlets in Singapore (Bedok North, Bukit Merah View, Commonwealth Crescent and Jurong East). These stalls stayed true to the authenticity of the original NNHC stall.
NNHC has a manufacturing arm to prepare pre-packed curry paste for distribution. The business is currently being handed over to the next generation of the Yap family, with e-commerce and home deliveries of ready-cooked curries and accompanying condiments being the latest offerings for Singapore.
Meet the Founders
Tan Ah Khim
​
Grandma Khim, a Peranakan “woman of steel”, was the matriarch of her family of 8 children. She was fully dedicated in the family kitchen, serving up dish after dish of really good food for her big brood.
There was one dish that especially stood out. Her curry was very popular amongst family and friends. Being a true purist, she used only the best ingredients. This resulted in a curry with impeccable depth to it.
​
Her meticulous attention to detail ensured every pot of curry was consistently prepared, thick and spicy, but not too heavy and distinct in taste. At the grand age of 86, she is still very much involved in the kitchen.
Yap Hock Kee
​
Hock Kee is the eldest boy of the family. As a teenager, he learnt to cook from his mother. Being hardworking and traditional, he made sure he followed his mother’s cooking instructions to a tee.
When Grandma Khim finally gave the thumbs up to his standard of cooking curry, Hock Kee decided to start a curry stall as he was convinced the public would enjoy the curries as much as his family did.
With the key people on board with this idea, from 1989, Hock Kee helmed his first Na Na Homemade Curry stall with his mother assisting him closely.
.png)