ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the creator economy explodes, influencer marketing agencies are emerging as the real power brokers reshaping how corporate India spends its advertising money.
ADVERTISEMENT
Storyboard18 Awards for Creativity 2026 honoured campaigns that blended storytelling, cultural relevance and measurable impact across platforms.
ADVERTISEMENT
Brand Marketing
Storyboard18 Creativity Awards 2026: Swiggy, Nestlé, HDFC, Flipkart, Puma, Lahori Zeera take center stage
Brand Makers
Key takeaways from Global Pioneers Summit 2026: Why trust, storytelling and attention will define India’s next decade
Brand Makers
From Flipkart to Swiggy, winners of Storyboard18 Awards 2026: See photos (Part 1)
Brand Makers
Storyboard18 Awards 2026 winners in pics: Fevicol, KitKat, Swiggy (Part 2)
Special Coverage
SAC 2026: Why Piyush Pandey remains the North Star for India’s evolving creative landscape
Trending News
"I want to support his education": Anand Mahindra wants to back Nainital boy's magic dreams
Trending News
FIFA asks fans to pay after website glitch issued World Cup 2026 tickets for free to 60
Trending News
Tech worker flags AI U-turn at WITCH firm as companies rethink usage amid rising costs
Brand Makers
Mumbai’s dabbawalas face decline as remote work and food apps reshape demand
Brand Makers
From Gautam Adani to Zhong Shanshan: Meet Asia’s wealthiest billionaires in 2026
Leave a Reply