SHIHLIN TAIWAN STREET FOOD DEBUT FIRST-EVER CHICKEN RICEBOWLS AND DROPS LIMITED EDITION BLINDBOX CAT-THEMED PLUSHIE KEYCHARMS FOR AVID COLLECTORS
Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks turns 22 this year and is spreading its wings even further with a rebrand: Shihlin 2.0! Since it hatched as a humble store in 2003, it has sold over 100 million pieces of XXL Crispy Chicken worldwide, growing into a global street food phenomenon, with over 240 outlets in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, and Egypt.
Now, as part of its Shihlin 2.0 transformation, this well-loved “old bird” is spreading its wings once more, embracing a new chapter of full-fledged mealtime options, and a fresh, modern identity that reflects both its heritage of serving the authentic flavours of Taiwanese night markets in Malaysia and its playful new spirit. Naturally, Malaysia, one of Shihlin’s earliest home markets, will be the first to experience Shihlin’s exciting transformation, starting with the renewal of the existing store at NU Sentral.
Going Beyond Snacks
After two decades of delighting fans with quick bites, Shihlin 2.0 marks its evolution into a full mealtime destination. The brand now offers two new hearty, and value-for-money rice bowls created in collaboration with a Taiwanese consultant that are inclusive and authentic.
One of these is the Braised Chicken Ricebowl 滷肉飯 (RM15.90), reminiscent of Taiwan’s famous braised pork rice bowls. To make this dish more inclusive, Shihlin uses poultry instead of pork, but without compromising on authenticity. Over three months, Shihlin worked closely with a Taiwanese food consultant to perfect the recipe. The result is a rich, delicious and succulent minced chicken sauce over glossy grains of Taiwanese pearl rice, served alongside braised beancurd, an oozy ramen egg, and pickles.
Another new meal option is the Chiayi Scallion Chicken Ricebowl 嘉義雞肉飯 (RM15.90), created in close collaboration with the consultant. Inspired by Chiayi city’s iconic turkey rice, it is drizzled with a moreish gravy made from turkey drippings and soy sauce. Staying true to its chicken speciality focus, and to keep the dish more accessible, Shihlin swaps turkey for tender chicken.
Following the launch of its hearty ricebowls, Shihlin introduces another exciting addition — the Dried Tossed Noodles Series, exclusively debuting in Malaysia. The new series celebrates the authentic flavours of Taiwanese night markets through three different noodle dishes, each carefully balanced to deliver a satisfying and flavourful bite.
The Scallion Oil Noodle 蔥油麵 (RM8.80) features springy noodles coated in savoury scallion oil — fragrant, umami, and perfectly balanced with a gentle hint of heat. For those craving something bolder, the Dan Dan Noodle 擔擔麵 (RM8.80) combines a rich, spicy, and nutty sauce for added depth and texture. Meanwhile, the Taiwan Cut Chilli Noodle 剁椒麵 (RM8.80) turns up the heat with a tangy, fiery sauce tossed over signature Taiwan cut noodles, offering a satisfying night market kick that’s both bold and memorable.
Complimenting the brand-new menu items are refreshing vegetarian-friendly appetisers such as Smashed Cucumber 涼拌小黃瓜 (RM4.90) , Black Fungus 涼拌黑木耳 (RM4.90) and Oyster Mushroom 凉拌杏鲍菇 (RM5.90).
Shihlin 2.0 also unveils a modern identity – a new logo, refreshed branding, and a distinctive Shihlin Pink that’s bold, warm, and instantly recognisable – a contemporary update to its dark red facades. Alongside the makeover comes Miào Miào, Shihlin’s new feline mascot that is cheeky, curious, and fiercely loyal, embodying the Shihlin spirit of playfulness and connection.
To celebrate, Shihlin introduces limited-edition, adorable merchandise, in the trendy “blindbox” format. These feature the new Shihlin 2.0 mascot Miào Miào, in three cuteness overload designs. Will you catch Crispy Miào Miào eating Shihlin XXL Crispy Chicken while wearing the giant cutlet on its head? Or will Slurpy Miào Miào be seen wearing an oyster hat, while holding onto a piping hot bowl of oyster mee sua? Or how about some seafood tempura that QQ Miào Miào grasps, its head also a gigantic tempura.
Shihlin 2.0 NU SENTRAL Reopening Promotions
To commemorate the new beginning of Shihlin 2.0 with the renewal of its NU Sentral outlet, special reopening promotions include:
*Each customer is entitled to 1 bowl only.
From 17 October 2025, while stocks last: Customers can also purchase the limited edition Shihlin blindbox plushies at RM25 each (U.P. RM35) with every RM15 spent.
Before Shihlin became a household name, its story began with two founders deeply in love with Taiwan’s vibrant street food culture. Determined to share that joy with the world, they travelled across Taiwan – from bustling night markets to hidden local gems – tasting, learning, and sourcing only the most authentic ingredients. What followed were months of R&D, as they perfected the recipes many of us are familiar with now; recipes that capture not just the flavour, but the spirit of Taiwan.
Proudly being the first brand to bring the authentic taste of Taiwan to Malaysia, the founders of Shihlin remain steadfast to their commitment to authenticity and joy in every bite. With this new chapter for Shihlin, they want to emphasise that Original means Authentic, the true taste of Taiwan, perfected. And that Original means the Pioneers, not the copycats. As Shihlin brings the flavours of Taiwan to more communities globally, they invite everyone to rediscover the magic of the original: “Join us. Taste the transformation. LOVE THE ORIGINAL.”
Some say Miao Miao had Michelin instincts. She wandered the markets, tasting the best street food in town, but only one stall made her stay – a humble chicken stand, and a man who shared his craft. Night after night, they met. She waited patiently; he fried with care. The XXL Crispy Chicken they shared became the talk of the town, and soon, the world.
Find Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks here: https://www.shihlinsnacks.com.tw/my/
AEON AND FRIM JOIN HANDS TO RESTORE FIREFLY HABITAT IN KUALA SELANGOR THROUGH “TERANG DI HUJUNG DAHAN” INITIATIVE
AEON CO. (M) BHD. (“AEON”) continues its commitment to environmental conservation through a tree-planting initiative in collaboration with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). The program, themed “Terang di Hujung Dahan” focuses on long-term efforts to restore the firefly habitat in Kuala Selangor, one of Malaysia’s renowned natural attractions.
Through this initiative, a total of 50 rumbia (Metroxylon sagu) and 50 berembang (Sonneratia caseolaris) saplings were planted along the riverbanks. Both tree species serve as crucial components of the fireflies’ natural habitat. This meaningful effort marks an important step toward ecosystem restoration while supporting scientific research to ensure the sustainability of firefly populations for the benefit of future generations.
The tree-planting activity, held on 11 October, was joined by volunteers from various organisations including the Selangor Water Management Authority (LUAS), Kuala Selangor Municipal Council (MPKS), Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), local community associations such as Inspirasi KAWA and KONGRES (Kelab Generasi Warisan Seri Asahan), as well as AEON volunteers.
Also present at the event were Dr. Ir. Ts. Hj. Mohmad Asari Daud, Director of LUAS; Dr. Kasuma Satria Mat Jadi, Chief Human Resource Officer of AEON; Dato’ Dr. Ismail Hj. Parlan, Director General of FRIM; Tuan Haji Mohd Azmi Sunda, Head of Plantation Section, MPOB; and Muhammad Asyraf Kamarrazaman, representative of the President of MPKS.
According to Dr. Kasuma Satria, “This collaboration continues the long-standing partnership between AEON and FRIM in environmental conservation. Our efforts in Kuala Selangor reflect AEON’s unwavering commitment to protecting biodiversity and maintaining the balance of our natural ecosystem.”
He added, “We hope today’s effort will continue to bring light to Kuala Selangor not only through the glow of the fireflies that illuminate the night, but also through our shared sense of responsibility in preserving nature for the well-being of the community and generations to come.”
The collaboration between AEON and FRIM in conserving the firefly habitat in Kuala Selangor began in 2011 at Tanjung Beluntas. The project was carried out in two phases, covering activities such as site clearing, research, tree planting, and maintenance. In 2018, AEON volunteers, together with the Selangor State Economic Planning Unit, implemented a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project involving tree-planting activities to support the firefly habitat in the same area. To date, AEON has planted more than 1,000 trees in Kuala Selangor where growth of fireflies were recorded.
In his speech, Dato’ Dr. Ismail Hj. Parlan reaffirmed FRIM’s commitment to implementing and sharing research findings from this program to ensure long-term impact. He also expressed appreciation for the participation of private sector partners, particularly AEON, as a corporate entity that exemplifies meaningful and high-impact corporate social responsibility.
Beyond firefly conservation efforts, AEON has also been actively engaged in broader environmental greening initiatives. One such effort is the Malaysia-Japan Friendship Forest project, which began in 2004 at Paya Indah Wetlands in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN), in conjunction with AEON’s 20th anniversary. The project was later expanded in collaboration with FRIM through the planting of 30,000 trees in Bidor, and will continue with a reforestation project in Segamat scheduled to begin at the end of this year, involving the planting of another 30,000 trees across 36 hectares in three phases.
Since initiating its tree-planting efforts in 1991, AEON has planted more than 557,000 trees nationwide through various greening initiatives.
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MR GROUP, GIMmedia to Build Malaysia’s First TikTok Academy for SMEs
Many retailers understand the need to go online, but often lack the know-how to do so effectively. To bridge this gap, MR International Group Sdn Bhd (MRG) and Gimmall (M) Sdn Bhd, better known as GIMmedia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to co-develop Malaysia’s first integrated TikTok Live Training and Consulting Academy (MG Academy) for retailers.
This joint initiative between MRG, Malaysia’s No.1 Retail Academy and GIMmedia, Malaysia’s No.1 TikTok Shop MCN (Multi-Channel Network), is designed to help local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the skills to sell, engage, grow through real-time commerce, while drawing customers seamlessly from online to offline.
Under this partnership, MR Group and GIMmedia will jointly lead the branding and marketing initiatives for the MG Academy. GIMmedia will provide professional trainers, consultants, and training programs, while the latter will be responsible for academy, consulting management and event operations.
Moving forward, all TikTok training programs conducted under GIMmedia will be fully supported and managed by MG Academy, ensuring professional coordination, delivery, and event execution across Malaysia.
Marcus Chew, Director of MR International Group said this dedicated platform will focus on real-world outcomes that can directly improve sales and visibility for Malaysian retailers.
“Real-time commerce is no longer just an option, it’s where customer attention converts. By combining our brand engine with GIMmedia’s live-streaming expertise, we’re giving business owners a clear, executable path to results,” he added.
Meanwhile, GIMmedia Director Mike Seah said, “Our mission has always been to turn creators and businesses into success stories through live streaming. This joint effort allows us to extend that impact to thousands of SMEs, empowering them with the right tools, mindset, and strategies to succeed in the digital economy.”
GIMmedia has been ranked the No.1 TikTok Shop MCN in Malaysia for 18 consecutive months since 2022, according to TikTok Shop Malaysia’s official Monthly MCN Agency Recognition Leaderboard.
MRG has conducted workshops for thousands of business owners across Malaysia through structured programes focused on improving sales, profitability, and management efficiency. Its training arm, MR Academy, has been recognised by ASEAN Records for achieving the highest number of paid enrollments by SME business owners in Mandarin-based retail transformation courses; with 4,002 enrollments across 60 programmes between 2022 and 2025.
The collaboration responds to a rising demand among local medium-small businesses for structured, practical sessions in live-commerce. With many traditional shops still adjusting to online platforms, MG Academy seeks to provide step-by-step, skills-based programmes tailored to this transition.
By pooling the expertise and resources, both companies aim to support SMEs in building hybrid business models that integrate both physical and online operations.
Retailers interested in joining the upcoming TikTok Live Training & Consulting Cohorts may register with the MG Academy team to receive programme calendars and enrollment details.
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Paramount Property Launches Paramount Cup 2025 with One of Malaysia’s Largest Pickleball Prize Pools
Four-day tournament set to unite over 820 players across generations.
Paramount Property is set to make its mark in Malaysia’s sporting calendar with the launch of the Paramount Cup 2025, a premier pickleball tournament offering a RM112,500 prize pool – one of the largest in the country.
The tournament will be held from 23 to 26 October 2025 at the newly opened PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang, featuring 18 categories across singles, doubles and mixed doubles segmented by skill level and age group. With an expected turnout of more than 820 players, the Paramount Cup 2025 will unite juniors, adults, and seniors in a vibrant four-day celebration of sports, lifestyle, and community.
The inaugural Paramount Cup will also showcase a lineup of internationally renowned pickleball players including Vanshik Kapadia from India, as well as Kyle Stoker, Nancy Riley and Josh Chia from Australia. Hsieh Yu-Chieh (the No.6 female pickleball player in Asia), Karina Aditya Dwipayani (the No. 1 female pickleball player in Indonesia), Tarie Caouette (the No.1 female pickleball player in Thailand), and Mihae Kwon (the top female pickleball player in Korea) will also be joining the all star lineup.
As The People’s Developer, Paramount Property has long championed initiatives bring people together for a healthy cause, which also reflects its sustainability commitment of ensuring the wellness of communities. The company has sponsored community-driven events such as the Bukit Banyan Hero Run in Kedah, the Penang Fellowship Bridge-to-Bridge Ride, and the KL Car Free Morning. The Paramount Cup 2025 extends this legacy by championing pickleball – a fast-growing sport renowned for its inclusivity, bridging generations and skill levels on the same court.
Paramount Property CEO, Chee Siew Pin said, “Pickleball resonates deeply with us because of its accessibility and ability to connect people of all ages. The Paramount Cup is more than just a tournament – it is a celebration of community spirit, active living, and the joy of coming together. It reflects our belief that true value lies not only in the homes and spaces we create, but in the quality of life and shared experiences they enable.”
The Paramount Cup 2025 is expected to raise the profile of pickleball in Malaysia while reinforcing Paramount Property’s brand commitment to building connected, thriving, and multigenerational communities, working in collaboration with PLAYA Racquet Club.
PLAYA Racquet Club Director, Brian Choo said, “Our partnership with Paramount Property is built on shared pillars of community building and promoting wellness. This event marks an exciting milestone for us as we showcase our commitment to promoting pickleball and creating vibrant sporting experiences. We are honoured to host the inaugural Paramount Cup 2025 at our newly opened PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang, which features one of the largest pickleball tournament courts in the country with seating for more than 250 spectators. I would also like extend our heartfelt appreciation to all our sponsors for making this possible.”
The Paramount Cup 2025 is supported by a line-up of partners. As Title Sponsor, Paramount Property brings its commitment to uplift communities through this event. PLAYA Racquet Club @ PARC Subang serves as the official venue partner, offering world-class facilities for both players and spectators. Auto Bavaria BMW comes on board as the automotive partner, while Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie supports as the official hotel partner. Baseline joins as tournament partner, RIVAL KL supports as the sports recovery partner, and JOOLA powers performance as the official equipment partner. Together, these partnerships enhance every aspect of the event, delivering premium experiences for participants and guests on and off the court.
Registration is open now until 15 October 2025. Spots are filling up quick, so don’t miss your chance to be part of the first-ever Paramount Cup. Registration details, event categories, and full schedules can be found at https://baseline.my/tournaments/473ffe6b-44ec-4b55-809c051ed303bff4.
For more information on Paramount Cup 2025, visit www.paramountproperty.my.
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