Long before gastronomy tourism became a thing, Singapore was already known for its cavalcade of dining options. Hence, I was not at all surprised when the Lion City earned a whopping 27 selections on Trip.Gourmet’s recently unveiled 2027 Fine Dining List.
It was even less surprising to learn that the multi-awarded, 2-Michelin Star JAAN by Kirk Westaway, a prestigious fine dining restaurant located 70 floors above the iconic Swissôtel The Stamford, was again given the coveted Diamond status in the much-anticipated annual list.
Ng Guo Lun, Head Chef of JAAN by Kirk Westaway, was on hand to receive the citation, only the latest in a long line of numerous accolades, and later talked to BusinessMirror about the restaurant’s storied odyssey and his personal association with it.
Defined by a longtime collaborative partnership, steady culinary evolution and a common passion for contemporary British cuisine. Guo Lun shared that JAAN by Kirk Westaway originally specialized in French cuisine, but when its namesake Executive Chef Kirk Westaway took over in 2015, Guo Lun helped craft a new identity that moved beyond traditional French boundaries toward modern British gastronomy.
With Chef Kirk’s British heritage, Drawing from Chef Kirk’s British heritage, JAAN by Kirk Westaway built a culinary style rooted in comfort, familiarity, and fine ingredients.
‘I wouldn’t say there’s approval, but Kirk and I work together like a partnership. He comes up with ingredients that he might want to incorporate; I try to put them together. It’s a continuous effort to put them together to create dishes,’ Guo Lun shared in describing their creative process.
Through continuous tasting, testing, and tweaking, they constantly evolve the restaurant’s set menu together.
Asked about their popular dishes, Guo Lun says that they’ve got a range of good dishes that are constantly evolving; among the most sought-after, not only with Singapore diners but also with an increasing number of visiting tourists, is the Hen’s Egg.
Often offered in several variants, JAAN by Kirk Westaway’s Hen’s Egg is a runny, slow-cooked organic egg paired with complementary gourmet ingredients such as Kaviari or Oscietra caviar, Cornish Yarg cheese wrapped in nettles, wild mushrooms, onions, or cauliflower base, then served with truffled or parmesan brioche ‘soldiers’ for dipping.
Aside from the Hen’s Egg, other signature dishes in JAAN by Kirk Westaway’s current menu include the Kagoshima Wagyu, described as an exquisitely tender beef glazed in a concentrated, rich jus with chopped black truffle and accompanied by seasonal roasted white asparagus; the Violin Courgette, a lengthy, trumpet-shaped Italian climbing squash prized for its delicate, nutty flavor, fine texture, and tender bite; and its Charred Leek and Potato Soup, a British classic fine-tuned with whipped potato foam, chives, and crispy croutons, and served in a cup specially designed for sipping.
Of course, anyone who has dined at JAAN by Kirk Westaway will attest that while the aforementioned offerings and more contribute to its popularity, the overall ambiance is an equally big part of its appeal. Beyond the food and the floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of Marina Bay Sands and the rest of Singapore’s breathtaking skyline, Guo Lun said he places more emphasis on building a warm, welcoming, and almost home-like atmosphere where guests feel genuinely cared for through thoughtful hospitality.
‘We feel that it’s not just about the view, but also about the whole atmosphere that we create. What we like to do is a lot more welcoming and homely feel so everybody’s being welcomed to the restaurant itself,’ he pointed out.
His philosophy resonates with a wide variety of international patrons, including many Filipino diners who come to JAAN by Kirk Westaway to discover unique takes on British cuisine they can’t and won’t find anywhere else.
‘Our guests enjoy our food, and most of them will admit that they have never encountered British cuisine to be such a unique experience,’ Guo Lun further enthused.
Outside of his 70th-floor kitchen, Guo Lun still manages to find a healthy work-life balance as a dedicated family man and father to two children while still staying active through running and playing tennis.
JAAN by Kirk Westaway, however, remains the heart and soul of his professional life. His passion and dedication to his craft, as well as his collaborative partnership with Kirk Westaway, are key to the numerous accolades the restaurant has been showered with every single year. It’s also why it literally and figuratively towers head and shoulders above just about every other dining option.