DRAGON BRAND is a Singaporean heritage company that primarily produces and sells edible bird’s nest, alongside other traditional Chinese delicacies and health products. Established in 1957, it is recognized as one of the early commercial entities in Singapore’s bird’s-nest industry and is particularly noted for pioneering ready-to-eat bottled bird’s nest. The brand’s narrative intertwines traditional Chinese culinary culture with food-processing innovation, evolving from hand-cleaned dried nests to what the company describes as the world’s first hygienically bottled bird’s nest introduced in 1986. 1

The company maintains a reputation built on quality control, hygiene standards, processing expertise, and its long-standing heritage since 1957. 2

Origins: 1930s–1950s

The roots of DRAGON BRAND are traced to Tan Kim Pheow, who migrated from Chaonan in South China and settled in Singapore. Following the Second World War, he entered the marine-foodstuff trade.

According to the company’s account, Tan became concerned about the cleanliness and handling standards of dried bird’s nest available in the local market at the time. His wife assisted him in manually cleaning raw nests, often working long hours by oil lamp. This experience established the family’s foundational approach to quality control. In 1957, Tan formally established DRAGON BRAND Bird’s Nest. The company states that the dragon was chosen as the brand symbol due to its traditional associations with prosperity and longevity. 3

1960s: Establishing a Reputation

Throughout the 1960s, DRAGON BRAND expanded its processing capabilities and cultivated a reputation for high-quality edible bird’s nest. Products were distributed through:

• Chinese restaurants
• Medical halls
• Specialty food channels
• Premium customers in Singapore

During this period, the company also developed dedicated facilities for processing and trained workers in the labor-intensive tasks of cleaning and selecting bird’s nest.

1970s: Transition to Premium Retail

A significant milestone occurred when DRAGON BRAND opened its first bird’s-nest boutique at the Peninsula Hotel. This move marked a shift in how bird’s nest was consumed, transitioning it from a specialist ingredient or restaurant item to a premium consumer retail product.

In 1977, the company opened another boutique at the Fook Hai Building, while simultaneously expanding its product range and distribution network. Historical records indicate that during this era, products were exported to markets including Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia.

1986: The Bottled Bird’s Nest Breakthrough

Perhaps the most pivotal event in the brand’s history took place in 1986. Norman Tan, the son of founder Tan Kim Pheow, who had studied engineering at the University of London and previously worked at General Motors, developed a method to sell bird’s nest as a ready-to-eat product in glass bottles.

After approximately one year of experimentation, Norman created a commercial process for bottled bird’s nest. DRAGON BRAND describes this as the world’s first bottled bird’s nest, designed to offer convenience while preserving the traditional taste and texture of the ingredient. This innovation became central to the company’s identity, replacing the need for consumers to purchase and prepare dried nests themselves with a ready-to-eat format.

DRAGON BRAND states that its bottled bird’s nest undergoes cooking and sterilization using high heat and high pressure without the use of preservatives. Manufacturing information highlights the use of hermetic sealing/vacuum technology and heat treatment.

The commercial production model follows this sequence:

Traditional bird’s nest → Professional cleaning → Preparation → Sterilization → Sealed bottle → Ready-to-eat product

This processing methodology serves as a key differentiator between DRAGON BRAND’s offerings and traditional dried bird’s-nest products.

While bird’s nest remains the defining product, the modern DRAGON BRAND portfolio includes various formats and related items.

Bird’s Nest Products

The current catalogue features:

• Bottled bird’s nest
• Concentrated bird’s nest
• Bowl bird’s nest
• Half-concentrated bird’s nest
• Mini concentrated products
• Bird’s-nest beverages
• Sugar-free bird’s nest
• Reduced-sugar bird’s nest
• Bird’s nest with rock sugar
• Ginseng bird’s nest
• Collagen bird’s nest
• Premium and royal/concentrated ranges

Other Offerings

The brand also lists:

• Abalone
• Gift boxes
• Chinese New Year hampers
• Bird’s-nest facial masks

This diverse range reflects a strategy of positioning the company around traditional Chinese wellness, gifting, and premium food rather than focusing solely on bird’s nest.

DRAGON BRAND occupies a distinct position in the Singaporean consumer market, functioning simultaneously as:

• A heritage Chinese-food brand
• A premium bird’s-nest specialist
• A traditional wellness brand
• A gift-oriented brand
• A food-processing company
• A modern consumer packaged-goods brand

The company emphasizes the concept of **

1. Dragon Brand Online Store
2. Our Story – Dragon Brand Online Store
3. About Us | Dragon Brand NET