00:00With its bright yellow facade, Ban Chun is a striking shophouse along Jalan Balai Police in Kuala Lumpur.
00:09Inside, you'll find an array of truly scrumptious Chinese pastries and delectable dim sum.
00:16But did you know that the business, which dates back to 1893, bears a history almost as rich as the filling of its famous egg tarts?
00:25Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Wong Kok Tong, the fourth-generation owner of Ban Chun, said the business was started by his great-grandfather, Wong Kee Swee.
00:35Back then, it functioned only as a regular tea house.
00:39Over the decades, several of Kee Swee's children and grandchildren joined the business, including Kok Tong's father, Chun Hang.
00:47From only selling tea, they expanded their menu to include dim sum and Chinese pastries as well,
00:53winning over many new customers with their delicious offerings.
00:57Sadly, the family decided to close shop for good in the early 2000s when rental for the premises became too high.
01:05However, Kok Tong was reluctant to let the business go without a fight.
01:10He kept thinking that if Ban Chun could survive two world wars and the Japanese occupation of Malaya,
01:17he would do all in his power to preserve the rich legacy of the family business.
01:32Thanks to his perseverance and hard work, his small business grew from strength to strength.
01:38And last year, they were able to move into their present shop, reaching a business milestone of their own.
01:47We have dim sum and egg tart.
01:52We also have mooncake every year.
01:56We also have rice and noodles.
01:59We also have dessert.
02:01You can come and try it yourself.
02:04Today, Ban Chun proudly displayed at the shop's entrance is a sweet reminder of Kok Tong's persistence
02:11in guaranteeing a place for his great-grandfather's legacy in modern times.
02:16For the full story on Ban Chun and more, visit FMT and follow our socials.
