Australia – Tam Jai International, alongside joint venture partner ST Group, has recently opened its first Australian restaurant and overseas franchised outlet on Swanston Street, Melbourne. This marks the group’s foray into the western market and overseas market expansion through partnership models.

This store opening follows Tam Jai International’s plans in November 2023 to expand its overseas presence to the Philippines and Australia.

Located in Melbourne’s central business district and close to Chinatown, the new store is approximately 123 square metres and can accommodate up to 42 patrons. It is expected to benefit from the high foot traffic and large Chinese communities in the area, attracting a diverse customer base. The central location can also help enhance the restaurant’s visibility, contributing to building brand recognition.

Leveraging the extensive local network of TJI’s JV partner, this new store is operated by a sub-franchise partner secured by ST Group. Following the debut of this store, two more restaurants are set to open in Melbourne by the end of the first quarter of 2025, and these will be operated directly by the Group’s JV with ST Group. Sydney is next in the development plan.

Moreover, the new store operates under the brand name ‘TamJai Mixian,’ reflecting the core elements of the Group’s flagship brands in Hong Kong, ‘TamJai Yunnan Mixian’ and ‘TamJai SamGor Mixian,’ and is tailored for international markets. ‘TamJai Mixian’ aims to bring diverse flavors and unique culinary experiences, inspired by the tastes of Hong Kong. 

The brand also features a refreshed visual identity characterised by a bold and playful style with a strong Hong Kong influence. The restaurant includes modern décor and a layout designed to engage customers, featuring a soup sampling station at the entrance where visitors can explore the spice levels of TamJai’s signature soup bases and experience the distinct qualities of mixian noodles.

TG Saw, executive chairman and CEO of ST Group, said, “We are proud to be part of the journey to bring the powerful ‘TamJai’ brand to Australia through our partnership with TJI. With its extensive expertise in restaurant operations, including branding, staff training, store and food menu design, IT systems and infrastructure, TJI has provided tremendous support that has been instrumental in making this store debut a success. By leveraging our complementary advantages in operational excellence and local network, we are confident in our continued expansion across Australia.”

Meanwhile, Daren Lau, chairman and executive director and CEO of TJI, said, “This new store in Australia not only embodies our relentless effort in pushing boundaries, but also marks several significant firsts for us – tapping the western market, launching a new international brand, and implementing JV and franchise models to expand our global footprint. We are excited and proud to bring to Australia our distinctive culinary experience that has captured the hearts and appetite of Hong Kong people for close to 30 years. We will build on our experience in expanding into the Australian market through local partnerships to further our mission of ‘Bringing Tam Jai Taste to the World’.”

Singapore – Mastercard has announced that it has sponsored the Netflix gastronomy series ‘The Mavericak Academy’. To commemorate this initiative, an exclusive ‘Lap of Luxuries Around Asia’ tasting menu, jointly curated by Chefs Alvin Leung and Yuda Bustara, the program’s winner, will be launched at LUMA, making the mouthwatering moments leap from screen to plate. 

By purchasing the menu, diners will also be contributing to Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition reforestation initiative.

On the show, LUMA, the first concept restaurant introduced by Mastercard in the Asia-Pacific region in partnership with LUBUDS Group, plays host to the final Maverick challenge and witnesses the crowning of The Maverick Academy Top Scholar. This reflects Mastercard and LUMA’s aim of spotlighting the capabilities of Hong Kong’s homegrown culinary talent while welcoming the electric energy of guest chefs from around the world.

As the winner of ‘The Maverick Academy’, rising culinary star Yuda Bustara has been granted an invaluable opportunity as Chef Alvin’s protégé and business partner. For the next three months, Yuda will be stationed at LUMA, which will serve as the culinary stage for his boundary-pushing collaboration with Chef Alvin who will co-curate an exciting Asian-inspired tasting menu that showcases signature dishes in their own unique style.

With the theme, ‘Lap of Luxuries Around Asia’, the chefs have curated The Maverick Academy exclusive tasting menu, featuring a creative symphony of vibrant Asian flavors. From the appetizer combining signature Asian dishes from Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Thailand and the Philippines, to the main dishes that incorporate lavish ingredients such as LUMA’s signature Hung Wan Farm ping yuen chicken, every dish is a masterclass in culinary flair and artistry.

Julie Nestor, executive vice president of marketing and communications for Asia-Pacific at Mastercard, said, “LUMA, as a culinary incubator, provides a platform for emerging chefs to showcase their passion and talent. By sponsoring The Maverick Academy and collaborating with Chefs Alvin and Yuda to create an exclusive tasting menu, Mastercard is thrilled to unite culinary talents from around the world at LUMA, while inspiring international travelers to experience Hong Kong’s vibrant culinary scene.”

Meanwhile, Helena Chen, managing director for Hong Kong & Macau at Mastercard, commented, “Mastercard is thrilled to support and take part in the filming of The Maverick Academy finale, a testament to our partnership with LUBUDS Group. This initiative underscores Mastercard’s dedication to fuelling culinary passions and mission to re-establish Hong Kong as one of Asia’s gastronomic capitals. To satisfy the cravings and culinary curiosities of international visitors and local diners alike, Mastercard looks forward to continuing to collaborate with strategic partners to curate more Priceless Experiences for cardholders worldwide.”

Hong Kong – Chinese catering group Fulum Group Holdings has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Sunpark Holdings, an F&B corporation in Japan, to further expand its diversified F&B offerings.

In this new partnership, Fulum Group will introduce multiple of Sunpark’s F&B brands into the Hong Kong food scene. These brands are ‘Takagi Coffee’ that provides specialty coffee and pancakes; ‘Karubi Kazan’ that offers handcrafted barbeque meat rice bowls; and ‘Hachikian’ that specialises in chicken dishes.

The restaurants will be located in the city centre with high foot traffic to attract the younger generation.

With Sunpark already eyeing Hong Kong as its next destination for expansion, its partnership with Fulum will materialise this plan. Meanwhile, Fulum’s cooperation with Sunpark is expected to further diversify the group’s restaurant portfolio.

This strategic agreement is the result of an initiative organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and InvestHK. The Hong Kong F&B Mission aims to business match and network the F&B corporations in Hong Kong and Japan.

Samuel Yeung, CEO of the Fulum Group, said, “Hong Kong people have always favoured Japanese cuisine. Sunpark offers various specialty F&B brands and has decades of experience and insights of the industry, which is what Fulum is trying to achieve with our diversified restaurant mix. We are very excited about this strategic cooperation. Looking forward, we will continue to closely monitor latest trends and hope to introduce more of Sunpark’s brands in hopes of offering even more gourmet options in Hong Kong.

Ken Takagi, CEO of Sunpark, also shared, “Sunpark is committed to bring quality Japanese food at highest level of hospitality from Japan to the world, one store at a time. We are honoured to partner with a strong partner like Fulum Group. This cements our relationship as family.”

Meanwhile, Leo Tze, acting principal Hong Kong economic and trade representative for Tokyo, commented, “Today I am happy to witness the signing of the first deal resulting from this mission, namely this partnership agreement between Sunpark and Fulum. I wish them every success in their business in Hong Kong. I believe this would be the good start and hope to hear more good news amid ongoing partnership discussion of the participant companies.”

Also speaking on the partnership, Alpha Lau, director-general of investment promotion at Invest Hong Kong, said, “When foreign and local players work together, in a strategic partnership like that of Fulum and Sunpark, I believe the synergy will only mean even more opportunities and growth potential for both sides. This partnership is the result of our collaborated programme with colleagues at Tokyo ETO. Going forward, Invest Hong Kong will continue to work with ETOs around the world to assist more Mainland and foreign companies to set up their base in Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong – Restaurant group Tam Jai International (TJI) has announced its plans to expand its presence in the Philippines and Australia. 

For the Philippines, it has announced a potential franchise partnership with a subsidiary of the Philippine conglomerate Suyen Corporation. Meanwhile, for its foray into the Australian market, it has announced a joint venture with ST Group Food Industries Holdings Limited.

TJI entered into a memorandum of understanding and heads of terms with BVCUISINE, a subsidiary of the Philippine conglomerate, Suyen Corporation, in relation to the proposed entry into the Philippine market by way of a franchise arrangement. 

This MoU, made in August this year, will grant an exclusive license to BVCUISINE to set up and operate restaurants under the group’s brands in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a joint venture company which is 49% owned by TJI and 51% owned by ST Group, has been established and the JV company will be granted the master franchise rights to operate restaurants and associated delivery services under one of the Group’s brands in Australia and New Zealand. 

In addition, the joint venture will be able to enter into further sub-franchise agreements with other partners to facilitate the group’s expansion. TJI also retains the right to open and operate self-operated restaurants in the two countries under the TamJai Yunnan Mixian and TamJai SamGor Mixian brands.

Daren Lau, chairman, executive director and chief executive officer at Tam Jai International, said, “Building upon our investment and the development of a strengthened management team over the past year, we are thrilled to embark on an exciting new chapter for TJI with the introduction of a franchising model as we enter the inaugural Western market, Australia, and the Philippines.”

He added, “In particular, our JV partnership with ST Group, an experienced franchised F&B operator in Australia, not only paves the way for a successful and expedited expansion in Australia, but also establishes a strong foundation for future ventures into other Western markets, propelling our mission to bring ‘Tam Jai Taste’ to the world.”

Bangkok, ThailandーThai-based food startup Yindii launches a mobile app, in collaboration with local restaurants and cafes, to sell food items at discounted prices, rather than potentially going into waste in an effort to prevent mass food waste produced by restaurants and cafes.

The mobile app, structured around a direct-to-consumer platform, offers “Happy Hour Deals” that are tailored per member restaurant or cafe. Once implemented, users may enjoy 50 to 70% per purchase.

Initial users of the app can avail an early discount for free delivery of their items, albeit limited to the first 100 users and within a 5-kilometer delivery radius.

While primarily focused to combat food waste problems by purchasing excess items, app users may also connect with their favorite restaurants to check on other discounts and savings.

Louis-Alban Batard-Dupre, Yindii founder and tech entrepreneur, expressed a positive note towards the project, reassuring that all food offered are of quality. He also stated that the app is just one of the startup’s ongoing mission to prevent food loss in the community.

“The growing problem of food waste is challenging to solve for endless reasons including logistics, the complexities of short-lived items and the lack of a set market, which is what we are working to help solve – with a simple system for people and restaurants of surplus food to connect and enact”, he stated.

The app is downloadable through Google Play Store and App Store. 

Singapore – The Singaporean branch of Philippines-grown restaurant brand Jollibee has decided to spruce up its menu, by bringing its local take of the dish Nasi Lemak.

Nasi Lemak, which has its origins in Malay cuisine, consists of fragrant rice that has been soaked in coconut milk and cooked with Pandan leaf that gives it its distinct flavor. It is a staple favorite in neighboring countries Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and even Philippines; each having its unique take on the dish.

The Nasi Lemak dish is a variant to Jollibee’s signature meal consisting of “Chickenjoy.” Instead of the usual rice, the new dish will be served with traditional Nasi Lemak sides: coconut rice, hot spicy sauce Sambal, small fried anchovies called Ikan Bilis, and cucumber slices.

https://www.facebook.com/JollibeeSG/posts/3404371049608915

As per usual, customers can order the chicken either in original or spicy flavor. The meal’s starting price is at S$5 and can be ordered via in-store or food delivery apps.