The mere mention of briyani, nasi lemak and durians would put a smile on Mr S R Nathan's face, said former senior minister of state Zainul Abidin Rasheed.

He was among several eulogists who spoke about Mr Nathan's love for food.

"I long remember the days when we would have a chat while having tea and enjoying durian puffs at his residence," he recalled.

Former Community Chest chairman Jennie Chua also reminisced about regular mee rebus lunches at Mr Nathan's Ceylon Road home which, she said, were the "most treasured of all".

There was a lunch scheduled for this month, but Mr Nathan had already taken ill.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, recounting that Mr Nathan would occasionally join him for lunch at the Istana after he retired, said: "I am afraid to report that my food paled in comparison to what he used to serve me when he was president."

Mr Nathan also often invited his friends to his home for tea, and would be dressed casually at these sessions. His attire of choice, Mr Zainul noted, was the sarong.