Ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, this is how Hassan Sunny fostered a community both through on-pitch heroics and at his Nasi Padang stall, Dapur Hassan this Ramadan
In a month where charitable donations, communal prayers and iftars with loved ones (the act of breaking one’s fast) are essential, community is at the heart of Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri. While donations are often made quietly, perhaps the love and togetherness is more evident in every bit of food effortlessly prepared for each other’s iftar meals. With food and football being two of Singapore’s biggest cultures, there sits a small corner of Tampines where the two communities merge.
Nestled in a quaint corner of a coffee shop beneath Block 144 in Tampines resides Dapur Hassan, a humble Nasi Padang stall. Led by Singapore National Team and Albirex Niigata (S) goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, affectionately called “Superman”, the stall is more than just a place to grab a meal. It's a hub where Singaporeans are drawn together by a shared love for both the beautiful game and hearty Malay cuisine.
Since the stall’s birth in 2021, the 40-year-old returns to Tampines to join his wife — who helps to run the stall — in making sure his customers are fed even after making game-decisive saves for his country.
Whether it be on the pitch or in the coffee shop, Hassan knows just how to pull people from all walks of life together — and it was on display this Ramadan when he and his teammates rallied a country so often left dampened by football.
Despite not winning the two games against China in March, the draw at the Singapore National Stadium and subsequent narrow 2-1 loss in Tianjin garnered a surge of support from Singaporeans who appreciated the team’s grit and determination over the result. Hassan’s heroics including a penalty save resulted in him being at the center of the love received by the squad.
“When I came back from the two games, surprisingly a lot of Chinese nationals came to the shop and wanted to take photos with me. I was quite shocked! When I was not around, my wife had to entertain it because they came looking for me,” he chuckles.
“A few days ago, I had a family from China based in Singapore. Their son was going to school here and he was so proud to share with his classmates in school that had the chance to take a photo with me. It was an amazing feeling after the China game.”
Even before the recent wave of love for the goalkeeper, he has always felt it in his customers, including a group he never thought he’d get it from.
“After a game, if I’m at the shop, customers will come to congratulate me for a game well played. It’s really nice especially when it comes from the older fans like those in their 60s and 70s. I used to think that they don’t watch us anymore but once they started coming up to me while I was at the stall, I realised that they really do give us a lot of support,” Hassan smiles.
“Although we receive a lot of criticism, people really do care. Most times before a big game for the national team my customers will come and say ‘you have a big game coming up, we’ll support you.'"
Having had to play the two games against 88th ranked China during the fasting month, the goalkeeper says it was tough but that the camaraderie remained unwavering.
“The good thing is that we played the games late so we had the chance to break fast before both games. It was still difficult though because you can’t do much the whole day but I think the effort we put in was quite an incredible one,” he recounts.
“The team has been breaking our fast together for a couple of years now, but it's different when you fast together while approaching a big game. It’s a different atmosphere. You have to really take care of what you eat at iftar because half an hour later, you’re going out there to play. It’s all in the dates and half a sandwich.”
With family being at the core of Ramadan and Hari Raya, the adoration of his is evident on the veteran footballer’s face as they prepared food to be delivered to their customers for iftar. While he admits that it’s not easy to juggle both football and business, he finds solace and a silver lining in his customers and loved ones.
“When I have a match, customers and family will come and support, so we have a lot of time together as a family,” he shares.
“This year’s Hari Raya will be one where I'll get to spend the whole month in Singapore. I only have one day off and I'll be back in training the next morning but the good thing is I won’t be travelling at all so I will have more time with my family.”
A much-loved footballer within the fraternity, warmth and humility radiates when he speaks about the football community as well as his customers. While packing platter upon platter of the stall’s Nasi Ambeng orders specially made for Ramadan and the festive Hari Raya period, it may seem like somewhat of a double life but wherever he goes, one thing’s for sure — he fosters a community. After all, it's all in his nickname.