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Born

Singapore

A life story conveyed in nine courses

An architectural icon: Contemporary fine-dining restaurant Born can be found on Neil Road, a Chinatown street famous for its beautifully preserved colonial shophouses – and even in such a colourful neighbourhood as this, it stands out from the crowd. Housed inside the historic Jinrikisha Station (which, constructed in 1903, originally served as a rickshaw depot), the striking triangular building occupies a position at a junction, giving it a landmark quality.

Heritage bones, 21st-century accents: With high glass ceilings, expansive arches and a large suspended paper sculpture at its core, Born's main dining room is as luminous as it is spacious, evoking the atmosphere of a cosmopolitan art gallery. The bar and lounge area is a little more relaxed, with low chairs and sofas providing the perfect setting to linger over pre-dinner drinks and amuse-bouches.

Honouring life's journey: Malaysian-Chinese chef Zor Tan served under the renowned André Chiang at three of his prestigious restaurants before founding Born in July 2022. A scintillating showcase of Chinese and Asian flavours and exacting French technique, his multi-course tasting menu is based on the circle of life, celebrating nostalgia, growth and the passage of time. Each heartfelt course reflects one of nine core principles: Birth, Roots, Memories, Craft, Relationship, Vicissitudes, Time, Progress and Legacy.

What does that mean, exactly? Expect courses such as Jerusalem artichoke with lily bulbs and caviar; representing Roots, this dish reflects Tan's dedication to wholesome ingredients and ancestral culinary traditions. Under the banner of Memories, you'll discover creations like monkfish with fermented chilli and chicken fat – a dish that draws on Tan's past experiences with Sichuan cuisine. Sweet potato with oolong and sea salt, on the other hand, is a dessert symbolising Birth via a medley of childhood flavours.

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