Michelin-Starred Born Merges French and Sichuan Cuisine in Singapore

Born occupies the former Jinrikisha Station at the edge of Singapore's Chinatown, a rickshaw depot completed in 1903. The venue earned a Michelin star and placed No. 23 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list for 2026, less than one year after it opened in July 2022.

The ranking arrived quickly for a restaurant that opened only four years earlier. Diners and critics have taken note of the compact space and the focused menu that draws on the circle of life and nine guiding principles, among them Birth, Roots and Legacy. Chef Zor Tan, once a protégé of André Chiang, oversees the kitchen and combines French methods with regional Chinese and Sichuan elements.

Historic space and menu structure

The dining room features high glass ceilings and a suspended paper sculpture by Peter Gentenaar. Guests receive a nine-course tasting menu that moves through the stated principles. Two dishes frequently highlighted are aged wagyu tartare served with oyster inside a fried bao and monkfish paired with fermented capsicum. The progression stays within the nine-course format rather than offering à la carte selections.

Reservations are handled directly through the restaurant. The kitchen operates Tuesday through Saturday from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM and remains closed on Mondays and Sundays. These hours have stayed consistent since the opening year.

Practical planning notes

Tables fill steadily after the 2026 ranking appeared. Advance booking several weeks ahead is the standard approach for evening seatings. The tasting format means the full sequence takes most of the evening, so diners typically plan accordingly. The location inside the preserved depot keeps the experience tied to the surrounding Chinatown streets, where the building still stands as a reminder of its 1903 origins.