Jimmy Lim is a talented Singaporean chef and the founder of JL Studio in Taichung, Taiwan. With a career spanning several high-end restaurants worldwide, Lim has led JL Studio to earn three Michelin stars, distinguishing himself with his modern interpretation of Singaporean cuisine.
The Biography
Jimmy Lim was born in 1982 in Singapore. Growing up in a family of restaurateurs, he developed a passion for cooking early on, helping his parents with their street food stall. Initially inclined towards a career in sports, an injury led him to enroll at the Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre (SHATEC), where he discovered his true calling for cooking.
In 2007, Lim moved to Taichung, in Taiwan, to work at Le Moût, where he learned the importance of using local ingredients and developed a unique style that combines Singaporean cuisine with French techniques. In 2017, he opened JL Studio in Taichung, aiming to elevate Singaporean cuisine to an international level of excellence. The restaurant quickly gained recognition, earning its first Michelin star in 2019, the second in 2020, and the third in 2023. His restaurant is the first and currently only Singaporean restaurant to have 3 Michelin stars.
JL Studio is renowned for its innovative dishes that reinterpret Singaporean classics. Some of his iconic creations include "Shroom Kut Teh," a vegetarian version of the traditional bak kut teh, and "Tyan Tyan Hainanese Chicken Rice," a dish that combines traditional elements with modern presentation. Lim is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his use of local ingredients, adapting the flavors of his homeland to the Taiwanese palate.
Beyond his work in the kitchen, Jimmy Lim actively promotes Singaporean cuisine internationally, participating in culinary events and holding masterclasses. In 2019, JL Studio received the "One To Watch" award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, and in 2021, it was ranked 26th on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. In 2024, JL Studio was placed 33rd on the same list, confirming the restaurant’s growing international reputation.
