Gēn 根 IS A PLACE THAT GIVES PROMINENCE TO THE REFLECTION OF OUR MALAYSIAN STORY. WE GAVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO HOW MALAYSIA’S QUALITY PRODUCT AND LOCAL FLAVOUR FUSED WITH THE INTANGIBLE. THROUGH FOOD WE TRANSLATE RELINQUISHED MEMORIES, CULTURES AND EXPERIENCES INTO SOMETHING TANGIBLE THAT OUR GUESTS CAN BE A PART OF. WE HOPE TO HAVE IT TRANSPORT US BACK TO THE PAST AND ALLOW US TO REMINISCE ABOUT IT THROUGH OUR TASTEBUDS. INTRODUCING TO YOU, OUR VERY FIRST INTERPRETATION OF MALAYSIAN INGREDIENTS AND LOCAL FLAVOURS - OUR MALAYSIAN STORY.
'We, as the cooks, we are the souls to what we put on the plates.’
Johnson started Gēn 根 after deliberating about starting something iconic to his signature cooking having been executive chef in Macalister Mansion, Penang. His devotion to the exploration and development of Malaysian ingredients and local flavours, along with a desire to share their love and passion for food with local patrons, led to the birth of a Malaysian Cuisine Restaurant Gēn 根 in 2018.
JOHNSON WONG
Chef Yau Chin born and breed in Sungai Petani, Kedah. His inspiration to be a chef comes from his dear grandfather. The generational influence and passion on cooking was passed on to him, he wanted to be an outstanding chef just like his grandfather since young. He hopes to ignite the passion on younger chefs like him and towards the local community who can experience good food that can last through generations.
His experience working at Sprouts, Johor Bahru in Modern European cuisine with local twist, led him to discover his skills at gēn 根.
YAU CHIN WONG
SHERRIE HOO
Sherrie was born and raised in Georgetown, Malaysia. Since 2014, she has gained first-hand experiences while cruising Southeast Asia (Maldives, Singapore, and Taiwan). A new discovery of Gēn根 taught her a new work culture “work like family”, entrusted her care as "little home".
Her career found greater heights as she worked with wines and local produce to curate bespoke pairings for the menu, engaged in R&D on non-alcoholic beverages, and applied the principles of produce waste. She hopes to bring endless innovation and creativity to light through Gēn根.