Ya Kun Kaya Toast, often colloquially known just as Ya Kun , is a Singaporean chain of mass-market, retro-ambience cafés selling toast products (notably kaya toast), soft-boiled eggs and coffee. Founded by Loi Ah Koon in 1944, Ya Kun remained a small family-run stall for decades, but has expanded rapidly since Loi's youngest son headed the business in 1999. The chain has over fifty outlets, mostly franchised, across 14 countries, and is a Singaporean cultural icon, known for its traditional brand identity and conservative, people-centric corporate culture.
History
In 1926, Loi Ah Koon (黎亚坤) emigrated from Hainan to Singapore, where he worked as a coffee-stall assistant.[2][3] He later went on to start his own business with two other immigrants. They sold coffee, crackers and toast at Telok Ayer Basin,[4] however, his two partners later dropped out, leaving him to run the stall alone.[2]