KUALA LUMPUR: Zainuddin Yahaya, the owner of the immensely popular Tukdin Flavours of Malaysia restaurant in London, died today.
He was 70.
Zainuddin, better known as Tuk Din, died at the Hammersmith Hospital in London around 9.40am (UK time).
News of his passing was shared by many of his acquaintances.
Datuk Seri Mohd Ashraf Abdullah, former Group Managing Editor of News and Current Affairs, Media Prima Television Networks, also confirmed news of Zainuddin's passing via a Facebook post.
"I first met him in 1995 when he was working part-time at Malaysia Hall and I was the London correspondent for the New Straits Times.
"He never failed to make me laugh and never failed to fill my tummy with the delicious food that he loved to cook. Such a character he was.
"May his soul be placed among the righteous. Al-Fatihah," he wrote.
It is understood that Zainuddin had been placed in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit for several days due to his deteriorating health.
He had lived in the United Kingdom for more than 40 years, having obtained permanent resident status.
Zainuddin's restaurant, which offers Malaysian cuisine, has been a mainstay of the London food scene and is a favourite among not just Malaysians but also celebrities.
The Paddington restaurant was also a favourite of several English Premier League footballers including French defensive midfielder, N'golo Kanté, who usually orders 'nasi lemak kosong' and 'ayam masak merah'.
Earlier this month, the restaurant, in a social media posting, had announced that Zainuddin had been warded in the ICU due to health problems.