Tang Yah Juang @ Tan Sin Soo was born on Monday, the 9th of December 1940 to Tan Joo Ching (1917-) and Koh Sai Mui in Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang. He was their second child and had an older sister by three years, Tan Yeah Ai (1937-1963). His mother passed away when he was around 4 years old, followed by his father when he was around 9 years old. Ever since his mother passed away, he was cared for and raised by his grandmother, Kang Ah Eng (1887-1967). His grandfather, Tan Heng Yew (1886-1946) passed away when he was around 6 years old.
After the passing of his grandmother in 1967, Tang Yah Juang @ Tan Sin Soo struck out on his own to Kuala Lumpur where he continued his trade of fishmongering and worked for Chop Hong Hup at the wholesale market on Jalan Ipoh. After a number of years working for Chop Hong Hup, the owner fell ill and asked him to take over the business. Working diligently, waking up at 2am every night to go to work, he built up the business importing fish from Thong Kuang, a supplier in Thailand.On Sunday, the 17th of May 1970, Tang Yah Juang @ Tan Sin Soo married Chan Kim Ean. They were married for more than 54 years until his death. Together, they had four children: Dato' Tan Yang Thai (spouse Akiko Morioka Tan), the eldest son; Tan Yang Cheng (spouse Sum Chin Liang), the elder daughter; Tan Yang Wah, the second daughter; and Tan Yang Han (spouse Connie Kam Sook Wei), their youngest son. They also have 7 grandchildren: Tan Ken Ji and Tan Sho Ji; Sum Hsin Pern & Sum Hsin Jee; Ong Jay Den; Tan Shuen Ern & Tan Shen Hong.