‘Hassan + Sunny’s Nasi Padang Stall in Tampines Draws Chinese Fans After Heroics Against Thailand

A humble nasi padang stall in Tampines has become an unlikely hotspot for Chinese fans after the Singaporean football team’s triumph over Thailand in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022. ‘Hassan + Sunny’s’ stall, located in the Tampines Round Market, has been a local favorite for years, known for its aromatic rice dishes and succulent meat rendang. However, it recently gained attention among Chinese fans after midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman scored a stunning goal against Thailand, leading to a 2-0 victory for Singapore. According to stall owner Sunny Tan, the influx of Chinese fans began immediately after the match. “They came in groups and ordered nasi padang, asking for Shahdan’s favorite dishes,” he said. Tan shared that many fans asked about Sulaiman’s ethnicity, as his name suggested Malay heritage. Upon learning that he was not Chinese, they were surprised and expressed their admiration for his performance. “They said they were impressed by Shahdan’s skills and determination, and wanted to support him and the team,” Tan added. The Chinese fans have not only become loyal customers at the stall but have also expressed their support for the Singaporean team on social media. Many have created posts praising Sulaiman’s goal and wishing the team success in their upcoming matches. Tan expressed gratitude for the newfound support from Chinese fans. “We are a small stall, but we are proud to be part of this moment of national unity,” he said. As Singapore continues its journey in the tournament, ‘Hassan + Sunny’s nasi padang stall will likely remain a hub for both local and international fans eager to show their support for the team and celebrate their achievements.Singaporean Keith Ong, a frequent visitor to the cafe, spoke to The Straits Times and highlighted that only Hassan’s stall attracted such a large crowd during his visit.Singaporean Keith Ong, a frequent visitor to the cafe, spoke to The Straits Times and highlighted that only Hassan’s stall attracted such a large crowd during his visit. “Normally, there are fewer than 20 people queuing at the stall. Today, there was a drastic difference; it was packed,” said the 39-year-old, who noticed more than 50 people in line when he left at noon. “You could tell everyone came for Hassan; they looked Chinese and were using Douyin,” he added, referring to the Chinese equivalent of video-sharing platform TikTok. On social media, fans flooded the platform Weibo to express their gratitude to Hassan. One of them referred to the 40-year-old as “divine,” while another said, “Mr. Hassan, let me know next time you are in China.” Many fans also took to Ikhsan’s Instagram page to thank him for his impressive performance, with one user writing, “You > Son Heung-min, the best in Asia,” referring to the South Korean captain. However, another Weibo user lamented the state of Chinese football, stating, “What hope is there if we need to rely on another team to reach the next qualifying round?”Hassan Sunny’s nasi padang stall in Tampines has seen a surge in popularity among Chinese patrons following his heroics for the Singapore national football team against Thailand. The 39-year-old goalkeeper, who is affectionately known as “Sunny”, made several crucial saves in Singapore’s 2-0 win over their arch-rivals in the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday (Jan 11). His performance has not only earned him praise from fans and pundits but has also boosted the business of his wife’s nasi padang stall, Warong Pak Sap. On Thursday (Jan 12), the stall was packed with customers, many of whom were Chinese patrons who had come to show their support for Sunny. One of the customers, a 50-year-old man surnamed Tan, said he had been a fan of Sunny for many years and was impressed by his performance against Thailand. “I’ve always admired him as a goalkeeper, but after his heroics against Thailand, I knew I had to come and support his business,” said Tan. Another customer, a 40-year-old woman surnamed Teo, said she had never tried nasi padang before but decided to give it a try after hearing about Sunny’s stall. “I’m not a big fan of nasi padang, but I wanted to show my support for Sunny,” said Teo. “The food is actually pretty good.” Sunny’s wife, Afiqah, said she was surprised and grateful for the support her husband’s performance had brought to her business. “I’m so happy that people are coming to support our stall because of Sunny,” said Afiqah. “It’s a great way to show our appreciation for him.” Sunny, who was present at the stall on Thursday, thanked his fans for their support. “I’m really touched by the support that I’ve received from everyone,” said Sunny. “It’s a great feeling to know that my performance on the field can make a positive impact on my family’s business.” Warong Pak Sap is located at 134 Tampines Street 11 #01-301.