Xi Yan was first started by Jacky Yu, a designer-turned-celebrity-chef In Hong Kong in year 2000. In 2005 Xi Yan Singapore was started, the private dining restaurant transcended the ordinary to champion creative cooking, and epitomized what private fine dining should be. Since then Xi Yan, meaning "banquet of joy" or "happy and joyous banquet" has continued to be rated top among the private dining restaurants in both Hong Kong and Singapore.