Sing Yee Owner Brings His Fish to Work

If you're driving down Turnpike Street in Easton on Route 138 and you blink you may just miss the tiny red Chinese restaurant Sing Yee.

For those who have never been inside Sing Yee, the food - or perhaps the whole restaurant - isn't the only thing you're missing.

Because for owner and fish collector Jack Soohoo, 62, every day is bring your pet to work day.

“I bring my hobby to work. How many people can do that?,” said Soohoo, who has owned and operated Sing Yee since it opened 30 years ago in 1993.

Jack said he has 11 fish tanks with dozens of exotic fish, many of them saltwater fish.

“All kinds, minnows, clowns, snappers, groupers, dragon reds, all kinds of fish and shrimps and lobsters,” he said of his collection.

Soohoo said he has been enamored by sea creatures since he was a young boy.

“I was interested in fish since I was a baby. Since I was like 6 years old. I caught a fish in a bucket. I didn’t have a fish tank about 50 something years ago, only in the bucket. Give him a little rice and he’s happy," he said. “I changed the water daily and kept it for a while and ever since I’ve fallen in love with fish.”

“My son calls me the fish loving dad," Jack said with a smile.

He likes talking about his hobby. Just don't ask him which one is his favorite.

“Once you get to a point that you like fish so much they’re all your favorite,” Soohoo said. “I’m a fair guy, so you know, I don’t particularly like one. I like everything.”

So, next time you're driving down Turnpike Street keep your eyes peeled. You may just wind up in a fishy situation with a side of rice.