Authentic Peranakan fare from a passionate retiree

Tan is a passionate home cook who has poured his heart, soul and life savings into his delightful Baba Nyonya eatery. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star

For years, Jackson Tan worked as a factory manager. When he was in his fifties, he decided to sell his shares in the company and take a much-needed break from working. That break only lasted a few years before the enterprising Tan hit upon the idea of opening a restaurant in 2017 in the Kuala Lumpur township Desa ParkCity, in collaboration with a popular Melaka-based eatery called Aunty Lee Restaurant, which specialises in Nyonya food.

Initially, Tan’s son was keen to run the restaurant, which is why the original idea was for his son to take over the business. But that plan fell through when his progeny decided to move overseas because of a work opportunity. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic.