Former Meta Engineer Leaves High-Paying Job to Pursue Passion for Noodles
‘Bored’ techie leaves Meta to sell noodles with girlfriend despite earning ‘3x more’ as an engineer

Image: Hindustan Times
Alvin Tan, a former software engineer at Meta, has traded his lucrative tech career for running a noodle stall in Singapore's Geylang district. He cites boredom in corporate life as his reason for the switch, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passion despite earning significantly less.
- 01Alvin Tan left his job at Meta, where he earned 2-3 times more than his current income, to run a noodle stall called Umami Bomb.
- 02Tan describes his former role as boring and believes in pursuing what genuinely fulfills him.
- 03His family initially doubted his decision, questioning his ability to handle the physical demands of hawker life.
- 04Despite lower earnings, Tan has adapted his lifestyle, cooking at home and reducing social outings.
- 05He emphasizes the importance of health and perseverance in following one's passion.
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Alvin Tan, a former software engineer at Meta, has gained attention for leaving his high-paying job to operate a noodle stall named Umami Bomb in Singapore's Geylang district. Tan, who found his corporate role unfulfilling, chose to pursue his passion for cooking despite earning significantly less than his previous salary, which was reportedly 2-3 times higher. In a conversation with financial advisor Louisa Tay, he expressed that many dream of working at big tech companies, but once inside, they often reconsider their life choices. Tan's family had doubts about his ability to adapt to the demanding hawker lifestyle, but he has successfully operated his stall for over a year. While he has had to downgrade his lifestyle and sacrifice social activities, he remains committed to his new path and encourages others to pursue their passions. Tan acknowledges the challenges of working long hours and the impact on his social life but stresses the importance of health and resilience in following one's dreams.
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Tan's choice reflects a growing trend of individuals prioritizing passion over financial stability, impacting local food culture.
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