UE Square Izakaya’s Japanese Chef Passes Away After Suffering Brain Haemorrhage At The Gym

Mobomoga is an under-the-radar izakaya at UE Square. Popular with Japanese expats and F&B industry insiders, it offers an extensive selection of sake labels paired with tasty, unfussy bar grub. Since late 2019, its kitchen was helmed by Japanese executive chef Hideyuki Tanaka, who suddenly passed away today (Apr 20) following a brain haemorrhage. He was 40.

Collapsed during gym workout

The Niigata native’s passing was announced in a Facebook post by Mobomoga’s owner Daisuke Tohyama, who said: “It's hard to accept this news so suddenly, but our colleague Hideyuki Tanaka left us for heaven early [this] morning.”

According to Tohyama-san, chef Tanaka (pictured above) had “collapsed suddenly Sunday afternoon during a workout at the gym. The cause of death was subarachnoid haemorrhage. He was in a brain-dead state, but his heart continued to beat on its own power for more than 63 hours until his family arrived from Japan… You showed us a very strong Hide-san right to the very end!”

Chef was due to sign a contract to open his own restaurant

He also revealed the heart-breaking timing of chef Tanaka’s passing, as the late chef - who also worked at the defunct Ginza Rokukakutei at Odeon Towers - had been planning to open his own eatery.

“Before he passed away, Hide-san's dream was to open his own restaurant, and this happened just two days before he signed the contract. Those who knew him must have been looking forward to it. Thanks to you, MOBOMOGA has become a thriving restaurant with Hide at the helm,” Tohyama-san shared.

In tribute to the late chef who “loved to drink”, Tohyama-san added that attendees for the wake at Direct Funeral Services Memorial Hall in Geylang Bahru can bring their own alcohol to “send him off brightly.” Chef Tanaka will be cremated in the evening on April 21.

Photos: Facebook/ Daisuke Tohyama/ Hideyuki Tanaka/ Mobomoga