Malaysian F&B entrepreneur Tony Lim Chin Hau, the founder of popular restaurant chains Boat Noodle and BananaBro, has died at the age of 47.
His passing was announced today through the official social media accounts of both restaurant brands. However, the cause of death has not been disclosed.
In a statement, BananaBro remembered Chin Hau as the driving force behind the brand, with a vision of bringing Malaysia’s banana leaf dining culture to the international stage.
The company said he had dedicated not only his ideas but also his heart and soul to the people working alongside him and the business he believed in.
“Although he is no longer with us, his dream will live on in every banana leaf meal we serve and in every life he has touched.
“Thank you, Tony. Your spirit inspired us, your generosity touched our hearts, and your legacy will live on,” the statement read.
Boat Noodle also paid tribute to Chin Hau, describing him as a dreamer, fighter, leader and mentor who always believed in the potential of every individual in his team.
The restaurant chain said he built the business with passion and determination, firmly believing that challenges could be overcome through continuous improvement.
The principle of ‘Together We Grow’ was more than just a slogan to him, but a philosophy that guided his journey in building the business and developing his team.
Boat Noodle pledged to carry on his legacy by continuing to grow, improve and uphold the values he had instilled in the company.
Chin Hau founded Boat Noodle in 2014 after recognising the potential of introducing halal versions of Thailand’s traditional boat noodles to Malaysian diners.
The idea reportedly came to him after he tried the dish during a visit to Bangkok. He subsequently opened the brand’s first outlet at Empire Damansara.
Boat Noodle quickly gained attention for its small-bowl noodle concept, as well as its distinctive tradition of customers stacking their empty bowls after finishing their meals.
The chain reportedly operates 49 outlets across Malaysia and has also expanded into several regional markets.
In 2018, Chin Hau established BananaBro with the aim of presenting banana leaf rice through a more modern and accessible dining concept for customers from different backgrounds.
The brand went on to expand to more than 40 outlets nationwide. By 2023, it had reportedly generated approximately RM70 million in revenue during its first five years of operations.
Before entering the F&B industry, Chin Hau, who had a background in automotive engineering, ran a car workshop before joining his family’s logistics business in 2005.
He also helped his younger brother develop the Chatime beverage franchise in Cambodia before venturing into the restaurant business with Boat Noodle.
His passing marks the loss of an entrepreneur whose efforts helped introduce different food cultures to a wider Malaysian audience, leaving behind a significant legacy in the local F&B industry.
