Overview:
Gordon Koh is a Singapore entrepreneur whose unconventional career spans the military, entertainment, nightlife and food and beverage industries. A former military officer, professional magician and long-serving President of the Singapore Association of Magicians, Gordon is best known for creating Gordon’s Vadai, a popular brand inspired by his childhood memories of enjoying traditional vadai at football matches in Farrer Park. His journey reflects a lifelong passion for entrepreneurship, reinvention and bringing happiness to others.
Industry:
Food & Beverage | Entrepreneurship | Entertainment | Magic & Performing Arts | Hospitality
Professional Experience:
Gordon began his professional journey as a military officer, where he was among those selected to train Lee Hsien Loong and four other scholars during their National Service. After leaving the military in 1972, he pursued his childhood interest in magic, eventually becoming a sought-after professional magician and establishing an entertainment company. He later ventured into the nightlife industry, operating pubs where he began serving his homemade vadai. Encouraged by enthusiastic customers, Gordon opened a stall along East Coast Road, attracting long queues and media coverage from The Straits Times, The New Paper and Mediacorp. He operated the stall for six years before selling the business to focus on his other commitments.
Turning Point:
A significant turning point came when Gordon decided to recreate the vadai he remembered eating as a child. Unable to find the same taste elsewhere, he developed his own recipe and initially served it to customers at his pubs. The overwhelmingly positive response convinced him to turn his passion into a commercial venture. Although business was slow during the first week of his East Coast Road stall, customers began queuing by the second week. Gordon’s experiences across different industries also taught him to embrace failures, analyse setbacks and continually seek new opportunities rather than remain confined to a single profession.
What He Does Now:
Today, Gordon remains involved in Gordon’s Vadai, focusing on maintaining its distinctive taste and quality while exploring franchising opportunities. He personally trains prospective franchisees, ensuring they can consistently reproduce the snack’s signature shape, fluffiness and crispiness before allowing them to operate. Beyond business, Gordon values the friendships he has developed with customers and believes that bringing people happiness is among his greatest rewards. As he grows older, he also prioritises remaining physically and mentally active, maintaining his independence and enjoying a fulfilling life.
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