SINGAPORE — Qantas has introduced two signature dishes from the historic Wing Seong Fatty’s restaurant into its premium lounges at Singapore Changi Airport, preserving a long-standing culinary tradition that has been closely tied to the airline’s operations in Singapore for more than seven decades.
The Australian carrier announced that Wing Seong Fatty’s renowned crispy spring rolls and nuclear chicken will now be served in its First and Business lounges, respectively. The move comes following the closure of the nearly 100-year-old restaurant and represents an effort by the airline to maintain a connection to a landmark that played a significant role in the lives of generations of Qantas pilots and cabin crew.
For many airline employees, Wing Seong Fatty’s was more than a dining establishment. The restaurant became a regular gathering place for crews traveling through Singapore on the historic Kangaroo Route, which connected Australia with Europe and made Singapore one of the most important stopover destinations in Qantas’ international network.
Restaurant’s History Intertwined With Australian Aviation
Wartime Origins Created Lasting Connections
The story of Wing Seong Fatty’s stretches back to World War II, when founder Au Yuen and his son, Au Chan Seng—known widely as “Fatty”—provided food to prisoners of war despite significant personal risk.
Their actions earned the admiration and respect of Australian servicemen and Royal Australian Air Force pilots stationed in the region. Over time, those wartime connections evolved into a lasting relationship with Australian aviation personnel, including generations of Qantas flight crews.
As Singapore developed into one of Asia’s leading aviation hubs, Wing Seong Fatty’s became a familiar destination for airline staff arriving after long-haul flights. The restaurant’s reputation and welcoming atmosphere helped cement its status as a cherished part of many crew members’ travel routines.
When the restaurant announced it would close after nearly a century in operation, Qantas worked with the Au family to preserve part of its culinary legacy by bringing some of its most popular menu items into the airline’s lounge network at Changi Airport.
Under the arrangement, travelers visiting the Qantas First Lounge can now enjoy the restaurant’s signature crispy spring rolls, while passengers using the Business Lounge can sample its famous nuclear chicken.
Family Recipes Passed to Qantas Chefs
Culinary Tradition Continues Inside Airport Lounges
To ensure authenticity, the recipes were personally shared with Qantas chefs by 75-year-old “Skinny,” the restaurant’s third-generation custodian, alongside his brother Kelvin and other members of the Au family.
The handover of the recipes was marked during a special event celebrating the long relationship between the family-owned restaurant and the airline.
The collaboration highlights the importance both organizations placed on maintaining a tradition that had become deeply woven into the airline’s culture and Singapore operations.
Nick McGlynn, Executive Vice President for Asia at Qantas, said Fatty’s had become closely associated with the airline’s presence in Singapore since the late 1940s.
According to McGlynn, the restaurant represented much more than a place to eat. It became a gathering point where crews returned repeatedly over generations, making it a memorable part of the journey through Singapore.
Qantas Preserves a Piece of Aviation Heritage
Lounge Enhancements Reflect More Than Menu Expansion
The initiative also aligns with Qantas’ broader efforts to enhance its premium lounge experience for international travelers. However, airline executives emphasize that the addition of the dishes goes beyond a simple menu refresh.
Qantas Chief Pilot Dick Tobiano described Fatty’s as an important part of the airline’s shared culture, saying it had served as a meeting place where pilots and cabin crew from different fleets and bases gathered after flights.
He thanked the Au family for their decades of friendship with Qantas and wished them a well-earned retirement as the restaurant closed its doors.
By bringing Wing Seong Fatty’s signature dishes into its Singapore lounges, Qantas is preserving more than a culinary tradition. The airline is keeping alive a unique chapter of aviation history that has connected Australian flight crews, Singapore hospitality, and generations of travelers for decades.
For passengers passing through Changi Airport today, the spring rolls and nuclear chicken offer not only a taste of Singapore but also a connection to a tradition that has accompanied Qantas crews since the early days of international air travel.
