Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Third-generation owners bring Singapore herbal soup brand to a mall
Allan and Vivian Tan have taken over their family’s herbal soup business in Singapore, despite neither planning to inherit it.
Their grandfather, Tan Ah Sai, began selling herbal turtle soup from a street stall in 1946, and the brand is now marking its 80th year.
The siblings are the business’s third generation of owners, with Allan overseeing the business and Vivian leading kitchen operations and product development.
Their new restaurant at Great World is the brand’s first outlet outside its original Geylang restaurant.
They hope the mall location will bring in younger local customers, alongside the brand’s loyal diners and Chinese tourists.
Allan is also trying to address misconceptions about turtle soup, which is made with specific farmed freshwater turtle breeds, not wild sea turtles.
The family aims to preserve the dishes’ traditions and standards as it brings the business to a new generation.
Tan Ser Seng, an 80-year-old Singapore herbal soup brand, has opened its first outlet outside its original restaurant at Great World mall.
Third-generation owners Allan and Vivian Tan are leading the family business.
They hope the mall outlet will help the brand reach younger local diners.
The business is known for traditionally brewed soups, including turtle soup.
The family says it aims to preserve the brand’s traditions while bringing it to a new generation.
- Who
- Third-generation owners Allan and Vivian Tan are leading Tan Ser Seng.
- What
- The Singapore herbal soup brand has opened its first outlet outside its original restaurant.
- When
- The outlet was opened on the occasion of the brand’s 80th anniversary.
- Where
- Great World mall, Singapore.
- Why
- The owners hope to reach a younger crowd of locals and carry the heritage brand forward.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Founder Tan Ah Sai emigrated from China’s Chaoshan region to Singapore as a child.
Tan Ah Sai began selling herbal turtle soup as a street vendor.
The third-generation owners opened Tan Ser Seng’s first outlet outside its original restaurant at Great World mall.
- Brand age
- 80 years
- Mall outlet
- Great World, Singapore
- Third-generation owners
- Allan Tan and Vivian Tan
- Original street-vending start
- 1946
- Founder’s birthplace region
- Chaoshan, China
What people are saying
I had always told myself that I had to do very well in my studies because I didn’t want to take over the business
My father thinks he’s a Michelin-starred chef