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New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
GreenTree expands presence in Malaysia, eyes Kuala Lumpur growth
KUALA LUMPUR: GreenTree Inns (GTI) Hotel Management Group, which operates over 5,000 hotels in China and nearly 200 properties across Japan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, is investing RM500 million over the next three years to expand in Malaysia. "We plan to allocate RM300 million to RM500 million over the next two to three years, depending on finding suitable properties," said Alex Xu, the group's founder, chairman, and chief executive officer. Xu added that GTI is in discussions with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to accelerate its expansion in Malaysia. The group is also collaborating closely with Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts for its Malaysian ventures. Xu said that GTI plans to open three hotels in Malaysia, targeting key markets such as Kuala Lumpur and Johor. "Kuala Lumpur remains a primary focus due to its role as a business and tourism hub. It's the centre of all the action, and we're eager to operate more hotels in Kuala Lumpur and other metropolitan areas that attract diverse travellers," Xu said, following the announcement of the joint-venture partnership with Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts. As part of the partnership, GTI's first hotel in Johor Bahru is expected to open by 2026. This milestone marks the group's official entry into Malaysia and is made possible through a collaboration with Malpakat Group, the developer of GreenTree Hotel Johor Bahru, and the licensee of Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre. GTI's first investment in Kuala Lumpur, valued at around RM100 million, will see the rebranding of an existing property near the Petronas Twin Towers to a Holiday Villa Hotel, Xu said. Xu further shared that GTI is considering expanding the Holiday Villa brand into existing markets such as the US and other parts of Asia as part of its long-term strategy. "The collaboration between GTI and Holiday Villa is seen as a strategic fit, offering a cost-effective and efficient hotel management solution," Xu noted. He expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting Holiday Villa's rich hospitality heritage, experienced leadership, and expert management team. Xu said the collaboration represents a long-term strategic alliance aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies by leveraging the combined expertise of both groups in hotel management. "As we expand our presence in Southeast Asia, this collaboration with a brand that shares our commitment to service excellence and hospitality innovation is a natural fit. Holiday Villa's strong market positioning in Malaysia and beyond makes them an ideal partner," Xu said. Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts chairman Tan Sri Azman Shah Haron said the collaboration with GTI aims to accelerate the Holiday Villa group's expansion not only within Malaysia but also across Asean, China, and Middle Eastern countries. He said the group is targeting key markets such as Riyadh, Bangkok, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where demand for quality hospitality services is growing. "We currently operate 26 hotels across five countries, and we continue to expand. With GTI's support, we aim to have more hotels in the near future," Azman Shah said.
Independent Singapore
24-04-2025
- Independent Singapore
Five Johor Bahru dim sum spots worth crossing the Causeway for
MALAYSIA: Singapore's dim sum scene is hard to beat, from elegant indulgences at Madame Fan to perennial favourites like Swee Choon. But if you're craving a change of scenery and flavour, you can check out more spots across the Causeway. Johor Bahru, known for its vibrant café culture and seafood feasts, also boasts a deliciously diverse dim sum landscape. According to Tatler Asia, these no-frills JB eateries prove that sometimes the best experiences come with plastic stools, communal tables, and a side of chilli oil. You can expect a lot of things, from pushcart nostalgia to bamboo steamers brimming with Cantonese classics as you explore these spots. Here are some establishments you can check out when the cravings hit you because, let's face it, when they do, they hit you hard. Cha Lao Dim Sum Located at Holiday Villa, Cha Lao Dim Sum delivers on both experience and flavour. According to Tatler Asia, they offer a traditional pushcart experience with handmade finesse with their dim sum. Peer through the kitchen window to watch chefs handcraft each dish, then settle in as staff push carts brimming with steamed goodies to your table. Favourites include stir-fried radish cake with bean sprouts, char siew rice rolls, and golden Portuguese egg tarts. Don't miss the molten salted egg custard buns for dessert. Address: G-6, Ground Floor, Holiday Villa, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Instagram: @cha_lao_dim_sum Restoran Sin Siang Yuan Tim Sum This restaurant is an old-school gem where bamboo steamers do the talking. Located in Taman Johor Jaya, this bustling spot is hard to miss with its red signage and towers of steamer baskets by the entrance. A favourite among locals, Restoran Sin Siang Yuan serves up both timeless and creative bites, from century egg mai to prawn rolls, fried carrot cake, and the comforting lotus leaf rice. It's a self-service setup at the front, so get ready to make your pick before grabbing a seat. Address: 62, Jalan Bakawali 48, Taman Johor Jaya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Pin Ming Xuan Ping Ming Xuan offers dim sum in a mall setting, with vegan-friendly options as well. Tucked inside KSL Shopping Mall, this place is a convenient and satisfying option if you're already on a shopping spree. Expect favourites like crispy shrimp beancurd rolls, braised chicken feet, and their signature 3-in-1 porridge, a hearty blend of egg, salted egg, and century egg. There's also a vegan-friendly menu with cabbage crystal dumplings and buns stuffed with snow fungus and celtuce. Address: 10 Jalan Serigala, Taman Century Garden, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Facebook: Pin Ming Xuan D'Shanghai Dim Sum If xiao long bao is your thing, D'Shanghai Dim Sum in Taman Pelangi should be high on your list. For broth-filled dumplings and herbal surprises, this place is definitely one to check out, as recommended by Tatler Asia. Their signature soup dumplings are packed with juicy pork and rich broth, simmered over three hours, and come in unique flavours like rice wine, scallop, and even an Angelica root-infused version. You'll also find an array of siew mai, shrimp rice rolls, and classic dim sum staples. Address: 56, Jalan Permas 15/1, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor Facebook: DShanghai Tasixi At Tasixi, instead of classic pushcarts, trays of dim sum are brought to your table for selection. The menu spans all the essentials—har gao, steamed pork ribs, carrot cake, egg tarts, and more. The molten-centred custard bun is a sweet standout. It's a popular spot in Taman Perling, so come early to beat the crowds and secure a table. Address: 11 Jalan Camar 1/3, Taman Perling, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor Read also: Free things to do in Johor Bahru: A budget-friendly guide to exploring the city Featured image by Vecteezy (for illustration purposes only)
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cha Lao Dim Sum: Authentic pushcart-style Cantonese artisanal dim sum in JB with tong sui trolley
For Singaporeans, no Causeway adventure to JB — jam or no jam — is complete without an exciting hunt for delicious dim sum. The only problem? Some of these spots are only accessible by car or are surrounded by, well, nothing interesting. If you've never visited Cha Lao Dim Sum, it's time you did! Located right next to KSL Mall at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre, this 6-year-old establishment serves over 35 varieties of Cantonese dim sum. As you enter, you're invited to peek into the chefs' domain through a round window, where you can witness the magic unfold as culinary masters handcraft each piece of dim sum. Head to the cosy main dining area, or explore their new section that transports you straight to a Hong Kong cha chaan teng. Growing up, one of the simple joys of dim sum was the sight of old-fashioned pushcart trolleys — now a rarity. Guess what? Cha Lao Dim Sum brings back the nostalgia, making its rounds table by table, inviting customers to take their pick. To kick off my dim sum feast, I momentarily ditched the fancy, exotic options and went back to basics to put their quality to the test. No surprises here — I began with the classic Siew Mai (RM9.80) and the Steamed Prawn Crystal Dumpling (RM9.80). The pieces of Siew Mai were firm and juicy, bursting with the savoury-sweetness of the pork and prawn mixture that was flawlessly seasoned. Was the Steamed Prawn Crystal Dumpling equally impressive? Absolutely. The skin was chewy yet soft, encasing delightful pieces of prawns. Even when I went back for it after it had cooled down, it still retained its pillowy texture. And so, we're off to a strong start! I was pretty excited when the plate of Stir Fried Radish Cake with Beansprout (RM8.50) landed on my table. Even before it made its grand entrance, my sharp sense of smell had already caught a few tempting whiffs of its drool-worthy aroma. Sautéed with egg, taugeh, and chives, each cube of golden-brown radish cake was perfectly fried to a crisp, enhancing its already-satisfying smoky wok hei flavour. Beneath all that, a subtle kick of spice made its presence known only after a while. Do you love the thin, crunchy sweet layer of a crème brûlée? Now imagine that on a Portuguese Egg Tart (RM8.80). This, my friends, has got to be one of the best versions I've had in a long, long time! As soon as my teeth sank into the caramelised sugar top, I was greeted by an unctuous egg filling, all encased in a perfectly flaky shell that was shatteringly crispy. The Steamed Rice Roll with Char Siew (RM10.50) was neatly presented in a pool of soy-based gravy, served with sambal on the side. 10 best JB seafood restaurants worth braving the insane checkpoint jams for [Oct 2024 update] The rice sheets were slithery smooth and soft like clouds, filled with bits of char siew that were dotted with coriander slivers. The meat filling resembled my favourite char siew bao, a combination I find utterly irresistible. The sambal was a great addition, bursting with umami-rich notes of dried shrimp. The attention-to-detail on the Apple Bun (S$12.80) made it look like it came straight from the supermarket's fruit section. In case you were wondering, it's filled with tau sar (nope, not apples) that was rich, smoky, and wasn't overly sweet. The Steamed Black Sesame Bun (RM12.80) bore an uncanny resemblance to giant shiitake mushrooms. Eat with caution — black sesame lava bursts forth the moment you sink your teeth into the soft bun. It's rich and nutty with that signature gentle bitterness at the end. If black sesame isn't your cup of tea, there's also the Steamed Custard Bun with Salted Egg Yolk (RM12.80) for that surge of creamy, savoury salted egg goodness. I went for one of their latest creations — the Vegetable Prawn Dumpling (RM9.80). Stuffed with fresh prawns, carrot strips, and fragrant chives, each bite delivered a satisfying mix of textures and tastes. If you're a fan of deep-fried or baked treats, there's a variety of options waiting for you to indulge in. If you think the dim sum pushcarts are the only ones roaming the floor, hold onto your spoons! Cha Lao Dim Sum also has tong sui trolleys offering desserts that are homemade daily. The cold Mango Pomelo Sago (RM8.50) and hot Black Sesame Paste (RM6.50) were the perfect finale to balance the hearty dim sum feast. There are other options like Lemongrass Jelly (RM6.50), too! Authentic Cantonese dim sum that's 100% made-by-hand, convenient location, and comfortable ambience — what more can you ask for? Though its prices may be higher than those of other establishments, the quality definitely justifies the cost. With Cha Lao Dim Sum nestled in one of my all-time favourite hotels in JB for a staycation, I can picture myself dropping by for multiple visits in future to explore their other offerings. So the next time you're planning a trip to JB, be sure to add this place to your list. Expected damage: RM10 – S$40 per pax * This post is brought to you in partnership with Cha Lao Dim Sum. 10 best eats at KOMTAR JBCC to skip the crowd The post Cha Lao Dim Sum: Authentic pushcart-style Cantonese artisanal dim sum in JB with tong sui trolley appeared first on
