Chef Ace Tan has always felt a deep connection to food, whether thinking about it, eating it or cooking it. Born and raised in Singapore, his childhood was spent helping out in his family’s Traditional Chinese Medicine shop, absorbing expertise on Chinese medicinal philosophy, herbs and dietary therapy. The location of the shop was surrounded by local grassroots food centres where he happily feasted on the vibrant hawker fare as well as his grandmother’s Hokkien dishes and the Japanese meals his aunt learnt to make while she was living in Japan. Inspired by his childhood gourmet memories and his own training, Ace’s culinary philosophy weaves traditional Asian flavours and modern global techniques into a harmonious whole.
Ace worked his way up the kitchen hierarchy, through persistence, determination and a deep unyielding passion for food. His career has taken him from Japanese-French fusion restaurants and celebrated French fine dining venues in Singapore all the way to Korea as a consultant and sous chef in renowned fine dining concepts. Now, with his new restaurant ASU, he explores Progressive Asian Cuisine where he highlights the diverse cultures and flavours of Asia and incorporates the principle dietary therapy into dishes full of texture and memory.
But there’s more to Ace than just his culinary achievements. Here are five things you may not know about Ace Tan:
- He Loved the Japanese Manga Slam Dunk
Ace wasn’t completely obsessed with food to the exclusion of everything else. In secondary school, Ace loved the Japanese manga Slam Dunk to the point that he started watching the NBA and even started playing basketball every day after class!
- Ace is Super Fit!
Not only did Ace play basketball after school, he also became so proficient that he was drafted to represent the school in competitions. The sport taught him discipline, teamwork, and perseverance — values he carries into his life and the kitchen. When he went into National Service, Ace became, well, an ace: he became a naval diver, one of the toughest and most well-regarded positions. He learnt how to swim even when his hands and legs were tied up, and how to stay afloat without needing to tread water. These intense challenges trained more than his physical endurance; they honed his mental resilience, too.
- A Not-So-Secret Korean Mandu Obsession
While working in Korea, Ace developed an obsession with mandu (dumplings). For three months straight, he ate king-sized mandu every single day! Though he eventually got tired of mandu, his fondness for stuffed food items remains strong to this day.
- Favourite Genre of Movie - Comedy
When it’s time to unwind, Ace turns to comedy films. After spending hours in a high-pressure environment, he enjoys these light-hearted mental escapes – they keep his mind fresh for the next challenge.
- A Personal Motto
Ace lives by the motto: “To be a better version of myself from yesterday.” This constant drive for self-improvement is reflected in his approach to cooking, where he continuously pushes the boundaries of his creativity and skills.
