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Which Singapore celebrities own cafes? 35 stars who have gone into F&B, from Ben Yeo to JJ Lin and Rebecca Lim
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Which Singapore celebrities own cafes? 35 stars who have gone into F&B, from Ben Yeo to JJ Lin and Rebecca Lim

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Singapore's celebrity-driven food and beverage industry sees stars venturing into various F&B concepts, from casual eateries to upscale dining.
  • While celebrity endorsement can aid marketing, success is not guaranteed, with many ventures facing challenges like the pandemic and market competition.
  • Figures like Ben Yeo and Andie Chen exemplify the diverse F&B involvement of celebrities, showcasing strategies ranging from experimentation to managing established restaurant groups.

Singapore's vibrant food and beverage scene is a magnet for celebrities, with many stars venturing into entrepreneurship, often with mixed results. The industry is notoriously competitive, a reality that even famous faces cannot easily overcome. Ben Yeo, a host and actor, recently garnered attention when six of his Tan Xiang Sliced Fish Soup stalls closed. However, his Tan Xiang Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat outlets remain operational, alongside newer ventures like a Thai eatery and a zi char stall.

F&B in Singapore is a notoriously tough game. Sometimes, it feels like a gamble.

— Ben YeoDiscussing the challenges of the food and beverage industry in Singapore.

Yeo attributes his business strategy to experimentation and adaptability, emphasizing a shift from ambitious concepts to lower-cost, mass-market operations that allow for quicker testing and adjustments. While a famous face might offer a marketing edge, it's no guarantee of success. Many celebrities, like any other business owner, have thrown their fate into the hands of diners, with varying degrees of staying power, especially considering the impact of the pandemic on closures.

Yeo's F&B journey began in 2012 with Western food stalls. Over the years, he partnered with fried chicken chain Tenderfresh, launched the casual concept Hawkerman, and explored online delivery with Singapore Chee Cheong Fun. He also ventured into an izakaya and pizza joint (SG Umami), a beer garden (Playground), a roast meat stall (Tan Xiang Charcoal Roast), and even a durian business (SG Mao Shan Wang). His upscale dining concept, Tan Xiang Yuan, closed after two years, but he continues with Tan Xiang Charcoal Fishhead Steamboat, BenKok13, and Just 20 Dishes.

his business strategy revolves around experimentation and adaptability – a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained.

— Article textDescribing Ben Yeo's approach to his F&B ventures.

Other celebrities have also made their mark. Actor Andie Chen and his brothers acquired the Creative Eateries restaurant group in 2025, overseeing 14 brands and 24 outlets, including popular names like Bangkok Jam and Suki-Ya. Radio duo The Muttons, Justin Ang and Vernon Anthonisz, co-own the roast meat eatery Fook Kin and Korat Thai Cafe, which serves Thai street food. These ventures highlight the diverse ways celebrities engage with Singapore's F&B landscape.

a famous face is no guarantee of a business’ success.

— Article textHighlighting the limitations of celebrity status in the F&B industry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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