Raymond Wong is a beadwork and embroidery practitioner in Singapore and a fashion designer at Rumah Kim Choo, a business founded by his paternal Peranakan grandmother, Nyonya Lee Kim Choo. Immersed in his family's cultural heritage, Raymond's interest in beadwork and embroidery was sparked in 2005 while working in the family-run business. His passion led him to collect antique beadwork from around the world, allowing him to study different techniques and refine his craft.
After graduating from university, Raymond's fascination with traditional Peranakan art deepened as he began collecting vintage Nyonya slippers. What started as a simple hobby soon became a dedicated pursuit. "I always wondered why beaded shoes were so expensive," Raymond reflects, "until I tried making a pair myself! It was only then that I realized how time-consuming it is to complete a pair using the fine seed beads of Peranakan embroidery."
Since 2005, Raymond has meticulously honed his skills in kebaya-making and Peranakan beadwork, earning widespread recognition for his craftsmanship. His expertise even caught the attention of the Singapore government, who commissioned him to create a Peranakan shawl presented to Michelle Obama during her visit as First Lady.
Born in 1933 in Terengganu, the daughter of a wealthy merchant and a Singapore nyonya, late Madam Lee Kim Choo's father insisted of giving her away immediately after her birth. She shared in an interview, "According to the astrologer, my stars clashed severely with my father and that she would bring him ill fortune, so I had to leave them." Desperate, late Kim Choo's mother quickly wrote to her mother in Singapore and begged her to take the baby. She was then raised in a strict Peranakan household. Her grandmother even gave her baby to her sister to take care of me, which fostered in me an eternal love and respect for her." She said this with tears in her eyes.
The family struggled with debt and made do by selling local kuih and foraging for unwanted vegetables local pasar. To support herself and her family, Madam Lee worked at a coffee shop and married a man she met there, despite her family's objections. She married at 17, hoping that love would change her husband’s gambling habits. However, their earnings from selling chap chai png(rice with vegetable stew) from ages 21 to 29 were insufficient to sustain them.
Seeing her plight, a sympathetic neighbor suggested she focus on her Nyonya kuih, saying, “Selling Ang ku kueh won't bring much success, but I remember your Nyonya rice dumplings—I'm sure you can make something out of it.”
Guided by her grandmother's recipe, she made a bold decision and began a new chapter by selling kueh chang babi or rice dumplings as a humble stall under a Banyan tree at the intersection of Joo Chiat Place and Everitt Road. She noted, “Selling Nyonya rice dumplings didn't bring much fortune, as it was just enough to cover my children’s education fees.” Despite the challenges, such as getting drenched in the rain, this venture marked the beginning of a brighter future.
Not deterred by unpredictable weather, she once had to borrow money from a local loan shark to set up a stall with a tent and tables to keep the business going. However, they were frequently disturbed by the authorities and asked to leave. With the help of Dr. Fong Kim Heng, a pioneering political figure, my grandmother secured a bank loan to acquire a commercial shop at 60 Joo Chiat Place following Singapore’s independence. This pivotal move enabled Madam Lee Kim Choo to continue selling rice dumplings even during adverse weather conditions.
Madam Lee Kim Choo's grandmother was originally from China, adapted to the local culture and began wearing Peranakan Nyonya clothes, influenced by the local Chinese community, becoming a beloved figure in the neighborhood. She was nicknamed Bibik Kueh Bakol and her secret recipe made the kueh bakol stay soft for weeks.
Collectively, the third-generation business owners of Kim Choo Kueh Chang—Desmond Wong (left), Edmond Wong (center), and Raymond Wong (right)—are taking on their roles as custodians of Kim Choo Kueh Chang. Each of them is committed to preserving and growing the evolving business, focusing on different pillars according to their respective passions, strengths, and interests within the business.
Walking tour discovering Hainan’s roots, with a Hainanese guide by your side, make hands-on Hainan treats, where food and culture collide.
Walk through a village full of heart, where inclusion plays a part.
Narrated by Charmaine Leung, this tour explores her childhood in Singapore's red-light district and her mother’s brothel, shedding light on the lives of marginalized women.
Candles bloom, hearts make room, lenses zoom — illuminating lives, one candle at a time.
