Malaysia’s most famous Chinese restaurant is the story of YU Soo Chye.
‘Setting up a business is not difficult but to sustain and maintain it is always a challenge. You need to be hardworking, willing to learn and cannot be narrow-minded in doing things. You are employed to solve problems, not create them. You must look at problems without having to find fault with the people behind them.’
Yu Soo Chye was born in the state of Perak in 1945. At three years young, he followed his father back to Guangdong and only returned to Malaysia when he was 10. He had to start working and thought of being a car mechanic but his father objected. So, instead, Yu helped him sell wanton noodles and attended night classes. In 1957, he began work as a kitchen helper washing plates and bowls, cleaning tables, and other chores. Yu continued working in the kitchen for various restaurants and, with time, learned to cook and was standing behind a wok by the time he was 18. In 1977, at 27, Yu was promoted to being a chef .
An even bigger, life-changing break happened in 1977. The proprietor of a small restaurant was looking for someone to take over the business. Yu grabbed at the opportunity and Oversea was born. In 2010, Oversea Enterprise was listed on the Malaysian stock market. On 7 August 2020, YU Soo Chye, his brother-in-law, and son sold their combined stake of 63.37% stake in the company for RM45.37 million (US$10.8 m) to Anzo Holdings, a contractor company.
84-88 • Jalan Imbi
