Zén brings Nordic Japanese mastery to Singapore Grand Prix

Few culinary experiences merge the precision of Nordic gastronomy with the elegance of Japanese refinement, yet Zén has long mastered this singular fusion. Come 2026, the restaurant elevates its vision further still, securing a place amongst the world’s most distinguished culinary establishments selected for the Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix Paddock Club at Marina Bay Street Circuit.

Under the visionary stewardship of acclaimed Swedish chef owner Björn Frantzén, Zén has built a reputation for transforming Scandinavian culinary principles through the lens of Japanese minimalism and technique. This forthcoming venture into Formula 1’s most exclusive dining sphere represents a natural evolution for a restaurant that has long understood the relationship between restraint, precision and profound flavour.

Joining Frantzén in this extraordinary undertaking are Chef de Cuisine Kelvin Ng of Zén and Emil Ess, Executive Chef of Brasserie Astoria Singapore. Together, this triumvirate brings complementary expertise and an unwavering commitment to ingredient integrity and culinary storytelling. The collaboration speaks to a deeper philosophy: that excellence in the kitchen requires the kind of discipline and focus one might recognise in elite sport itself.

An Encounter with Signature Mastery

Guests within the Paddock Club will have the rare privilege of encountering Zén’s signature dishes in an environment where every detail, from presentation to provenance, reflects an uncompromising pursuit of perfection. The restaurant’s menu philosophy centres upon the marriage of Scandinavian abundance with Japanese restraint, where each plate honours both traditions without compromise to either.

The Grand Prix experience offers something increasingly rare in contemporary dining: the convergence of world class motorsport spectacle with restaurant led culinary artistry at the highest level. As one of a carefully curated selection of global establishments, Zén stands among institutions recognised for their enduring contribution to gastronomic excellence and innovation.

For those fortunate enough to secure access to the Paddock Club during the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, the opportunity to experience Zén’s Nordic Japanese vision in this context represents more than a meal. It constitutes an encounter with culinary philosophy refined through years of dedicated practice, elevated further by the electric atmosphere of one of motorsport’s most celebrated events.

Imagery courtesy of Zén (@restaurantzen.sgp).