A former Meta software engineer has drawn attention online after leaving the technology industry to run a Hokkien Mee stall at a local food market.
The story was shared in an Instagram video by financial advisor and content creator Louisa Tay, who asked whether pursuing passion can sometimes be the most practical choice in a society that often prioritises financial security.
The video opened with the caption, “Meta software engineer to Hokkien Mee hawker.” Hokkien Mee is a noodle dish that is widely popular in Singapore and across parts of Southeast Asia.
Speaking to Tay, Alvin Tan explained why he decided to leave Meta.
“Because software engineering is boring,” Tan said.
When Tay noted that many people aspire to work at Meta, Tan said large companies were going through restructuring and that his own team had been reorganised multiple times.
“It's everyone’s dream but once you’re in, you’ll think about it like what other things you can do in life,” he said.
Asked how his current earnings compare with his Meta salary, Tan said he could not make a direct comparison but acknowledged that his income at the company was “easily 2-3X more.”
The video showed Tan preparing Hokkien Mee at his stall. He said he currently runs the business with his girlfriend because hiring additional workers is difficult within his budget. Tan also thanked her for supporting and contributing to the venture.
Sharing advice for people considering a career change, Tan said, “Don’t give up so easily. There will always be doors open for you.”
He added that if the business did not work out, he would explore other opportunities in the future.
Tan also stressed the importance of health, saying he would prioritise his wellbeing if the demands of cooking began affecting him frequently.
The video sparked discussion on social media, with some users pointing to the changing nature of technology jobs. One commenter wrote, “AI can replace a software engineer job, but cannot replace Hokkien Mee hawker.”
Another user said it was possible to balance entrepreneurship with engineering work, while a third praised Tan’s sincerity and wished him success in his business.
First Published on June 7, 2026, 09:47:02 IST
