Canteen 398, widely known as Boh Geh Uncle Canteen, officially closed its doors on Friday, Sept 18, ending a run of more than 57 years at 398 Piccadilly. The historic establishment originally opened in 1969 as a corporal’s mess for the British Royal Air Force base at Seletar Camp before evolving into one of Singapore’s oldest-surviving coffee shops.
During its decades of operation, the canteen housed three stalls offering drinks and dishes priced between $1 and $5, including economic rice, ayam penyet, mee hoon goreng, lontong, and sambal goreng. Owner William—affectionately referred to as the titular Boh Geh Uncle—shared in a video posted on Wednesday by We Are Majulah that he feels “okay” about the closure because he has worked there “very long already.” He noted, “58 years, I think you all know me very long already.”
Retirement Plans and Daily Routine
William maintained a rigorous schedule throughout his tenure, working continuously with no holidays and beginning his daily preparations at 3am. Following the closure, his immediate post-retirement plan involves resting for a bit and perhaps traveling afterwards. “Thank you for your support all these years,” he told patrons in the video.
The closure prompted an outpouring of nostalgia across social media. One netizen commented on the video, calling it “one of my favourite places to eat. Cheap and good,” while another shared, “Used to eat there a lot of times during my NS (national service) and reservist.” Many visitors also tagged army buddies in social media posts to reminisce about their time spent at the location.
Did You Know? Opened in 1969 at 398 Piccadilly, Canteen 398 originally served as a corporal’s mess for the British Royal Air Force base at Seletar Camp before transitioning into one of Singapore’s oldest-surviving coffee shops.
Decades of Memories From National Service
The military and aviation Facebook page Alert 5 also highlighted the coffee shop’s closure, inviting individuals stationed at Seletar Camp to share their stories. Historically, the camp served as home to the air force’s 160 and 170 Squadrons alongside the army’s Singapore Combat Engineers.
Former servicemen recalled the establishment as “a life saver during bad cookhouse days.” Another netizen who served in the 35th Singapore Combat Engineers (SCE) noted visiting the canteen when visiting the Seletar Medical Centre or after booking out to walk to the bus stop. Additional recollections came from a former member of the signal unit SRRU, who noted that in 1973 their unit lacked ration support and relied entirely on the canteen or food stalls from Jalan Kayu.
What May Happen Next
William is expected to begin his planned period of rest and potential travel following decades of uninterrupted daily labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Canteen 398 officially close?
Canteen 398 closed its doors on Friday, Sept 18, after operating for more than 57 years.
What was the origin of the canteen?
Opened in 1969 at 398 Piccadilly, the establishment was originally part of Seletar Camp when it operated as a British Royal Air Force base, serving initially as a corporal’s mess.
What were owner William’s working habits and future plans?
Known as the titular Boh Geh Uncle, William worked continuously with no holidays for decades, starting his daily preparations at 3am. His post-retirement plan is to rest for a bit and perhaps travel afterwards.
What are your favorite memories of dining at historic neighborhood canteens during your national service days?
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