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Popular S’pore ice cream brand Udders opens 1st KL store in Mid Valley with unusual flavours

If you’ve ever had a taste of Udders, you’ll know it’s not your typical ice cream brand. 

Since its inception in 2007, Udders has been capturing the hearts of ice cream lovers in Singapore and beyond with its bold and innovative flavours. 

From humble beginnings as a small ice cream parlour, Udders has expanded through franchising, boasting outlets in four countries and distribution in another four countries. They’ve even partnered with major players like Singapore Airlines and international supermarkets. 

While Udders is already in seven locations in Malaysia, last week marked a significant milestone with the opening of its first-ever outlet in Kuala Lumpur, located in Mid Valley Megamall.

The seven locations in Malaysia are Mid Valley Southkey JB, Aeon Tebrau City JB, Senibong Cove JB, Aeon Kota Bahru Kelantan, Aeon Bandaraya Melaka, Aeon Seri Manjung Perak, and IOI City Mall Putrajaya. Some of these are in collaboration with Hazukido or Hazu Cafe.

Why KL and why now?

You might be wondering why it took so long for Udders to plant its flag in Kuala Lumpur. According to Peck Lin, the co-founder of Udders, Malaysia was always a significant part of their expansion plan. 

However, KL’s first outlet just took a little longer to materialise.

Speaking to Vulcan Post at the grand opening ceremony of their outlet in Mid Valley Megamall, Peck Lin said, “We opened our first Malaysian outlet in Mid Valley Southkey in Johor Bahru, and we wanted to maintain that Mid Valley connection when it came to the Klang Valley.”

It’s easy to see why they chose Mid Valley Megamall. It’s one of KL’s prime shopping destinations, attracting a mix of locals, expats, and tourists. 

This means maximum visibility and foot traffic, essential for a brand like Udders that thrives on curiosity and word-of-mouth.

Daring flavours are the star of the show

At the heart of Udders’ success is its daring approach to flavours. “When we designed the flavours, we wanted them to be deep, intense, and in your face,” Peck Lin said. “Flavours are the star of the show.”

Indeed, Udders’ flavour lineup reads more like an exploration of Southeast Asian cuisine than a simple dessert menu. 

Image Credit: Udders

From Muah Chee, a Chinese peanut mochi dessert, to Nyonya Kuih, a dessert rooted in Peranakan culture, Udders is giving Malaysians a new way to enjoy familiar tastes.

“[These flavours] are deeply appreciated on both sides of the causeway. Of course, our Musang King ice cream is a star in both countries.”

Some of their other flavours also include Thai Iced Tea, Calamansi Sourplum, Pistachio Power, Kyoto Matcha, and Tiramisu.

The brand’s cheeky spirit shines through in everything they do, right down to the name. “Who would name their ice cream brand after a cow’s breast?” Peck Lin joked. 

Image Credit: Udders

But that’s the magic of Udders—it’s a little offbeat, a little quirky, and definitely memorable, she said.

Making its mark across the globe

Udders’ KL expansion is just one piece of their broader strategy to take on Southeast Asia and beyond. 

The brand has already made its mark in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei. And it’s not stopping there.

“Southeast Asia was a natural first step for us,” said Peck Lin. “Our geography and cultures are closely linked, so it made sense to focus on these regions as we expanded outside of Singapore.”

At the time of writing, Udders has five outlets in Singapore, eight in Malaysia, three in Indonesia, and six in the Philippines. 

The founders of Udders / Image Credit: Udders

Beyond Southeast Asia, Udders has expanded to markets like China, the Netherlands, the UK, and Brunei, but with a different approach.

Instead of physical outlets, Udders focuses on distributing its cups and pints in supermarkets.

“The biggest market is China for us. And the biggest product there in China is the Malaysian Musang King. They love Malaysian fruits,” she said.

What’s next for Udders Malaysia?

Udders has big plans to open more outlets around the Klang Valley. Peck Lin shared that they’re eyeing Malaysian tourist destinations for future outlets.

Image Credit: Udders

“We really believe Udders fits perfectly in iconic Malaysian spots,” Peck Lin shared, hinting at a broader strategy to embed the brand into Malaysia’s cultural fabric.

The team believes that their unique blend of local flavours and creative branding has set Udders apart in the Malaysian market, a space traditionally dominated by more conventional ice cream chains. 

As Udders extends its reach across Malaysia and beyond, it proudly shares the unique flavours of Southeast Asia with the world, putting the region’s culinary heritage in the spotlight.

  • You can learn more about Udders Malaysia here.
  • Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Also Read: 5 scenarios in which you would appreciate having the reliable ASUS Vivobook 16 for work

Featured Image Credit: Vulcan Post / Udders

After 3 biz failures, she found success with her cookie brand that’s grown into a PJ cafe

If you’ve recently strolled through the vibrant suburb of Taman Paramount, a short walk away from the thrifting street, you might have spotted Chunky.

It’s hard to miss the brand’s quirky-looking purple signboard next to other stores that have been around for longer.

Although the store itself is quite new, the Chunky brand isn’t. In fact, it’s actually a pandemic baby, and founder Alia’s fourth entrepreneurial venture.

Image Credit: Danial Farah

Fourth time’s the charm

Back in her twenties, Alia started a side hustle baking macarons called “macaronsbyalia” then pivoted to making artisanal, custom-designed cakes. Her portfolio included creating fancy seven-tier wedding cakes with fondant, edible flowers, and sugar cookies. 

“I never said no to my customer’s special requests,” she quipped. All the while, she was still working full-time as an interior designer. 

When her home kitchen began overflowing with baking projects, she took the next step and opened a dessert cafe at 27 years old. Called “November Cafe”, her customers enjoyed a wide range of offerings from savoury meals and coffee to custom desserts.

Image Credit: Chunky

However, after two years, it became clear that the lack of focus made it difficult to sustain and she shut it down. 

Not one to give up, Alia later co-founded Raindough Desserts with a partner which focused on custom cakes again. “It did better, but we still struggled with profits,” she candidly shared. Her mum suggested developing a product that could generate steady, daily revenue.

Maybe it’s a mother’s blessing or just pure coincidence, but it was around this time that Alia’s friend ordered some of New York’s famous Levain cookies.

One taste was all it took for Alia to get her “aha” moment. She knew then that chunky cookies would be the foundation for her new standalone brand.

Image Credit: Chunky

It’s a “batch” made in heaven

In January 2020, Alia established Chunky.

Some might say it’s unfortunate timing but Alia found that it was actually a blessing in disguise. While the pandemic meant she couldn’t set up a physical shop, her use of TikTok Shop as an ecommerce platform paid off.

So much so that it landed Chunky its first major corporate order with BMW. She disclosed that they even received enquiries from people wanting to invest in the business then.

Image Credit: Chunky

It wasn’t long after that her team set up its first physical outlet in Damansara Utama. The transition wasn’t too hectic as Alia and her team continued baking as usual. With the store being located on the shoplot’s top floor, foot traffic wasn’t too overwhelming either.

When visiting, you’d find trays on trays of chunky cookies in a wide range of flavours. A must-try is the Raspberry White Chocolate, an in-house specialty. The founder also recommends trying their monthly specials if you’re more adventurous, like kunafeh crisp, and teh tarik and bandung.

Image Credit: Chunky

Otherwise, Chunky’s menu staples include classics such as sea salt chocolate chip, red velvet cream cheese, and matcha white chocolate. Less conventional offerings they have are croissant cookies and cookie cakes.

Online orders from platforms like Shopee and Grab outpaced walk-in customers, which helped grow its web presence. However, Alia wanted to capture a larger market.

Image Credit: Chunky

Social media is the name of the game

That’s how Chunky ended up moving to Taman Paramount in March this year. 

“We knew we needed a ground-floor unit since being on the first floor hadn’t boosted our sales, even in a nice community [in Damansara Utama],” she shared. 

It currently shares a half-lot with Mexican F&B joint, Los Tacos, which is actually her brother’s venture. Five months into the relocation, she happily shared that everything about the area feels right.

The neighbours are friendly, the community is supportive, and the brand’s sales have significantly improved. By focusing solely on selling cookies, she reported that Chunky has established a strong presence in this competitive neighbourhood.

Image Credit: Chunky

She credits a large part of the brand’s growth to their loyal customer base, especially the online orders from TikTok and Shopee. 

“I believe it’s essential to be aggressive online all the time. Staying trendy and understanding the latest marketing strategies on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram is vital.”

Alia believes they’d just be another baker selling cookies if they didn’t keep up with the times. “At 38, I am still doing my best to be tech-savvy, as this has been my bread and butter since I started my first business in 2010. I still have a lot to learn, and I’m definitely not slowing down yet!”

Image Credit: Chunky

Be a smart cookie

All that said, she doesn’t deny that competition in the F&B industry is tough. But it motivates the Chunky team to stay sharp, think creatively, and continually refine their business.

Her advice for other entrepreneurs transitioning from online to physical stores is to gather your resources quickly. “Networking is crucial. It’s easy to get caught up in doing everything yourself, but connecting with others is invaluable,” she said.

Some ways you can do this is by attending business classes, finding mentors, or even join networking programmes to boost your knowledge.

Image Credit: Chunky

More importantly, she cautions not to sit on your ideas. “Talk to someone who can help you gain the confidence to make decisions.” 

Alia confided that her weak points were in operations and management and that hindered her from making crucial decisions. So she hired a consultant to streamline those areas.

Regarding Chunky’s future, Alia proudly shared that the brand is in the midst of opening its second outlet in KL. But her bigger goal is to eventually open up more stores throughout Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak.

To achieve this, she’ll start by doing more pop-ups to gain market traction. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot the brand’s soft and gooey cookies at your next craft fair or village market.

Image Credit: Chunky

  • Learn more about Chunky here.
  • Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Also Read: 5 scenarios in which you would appreciate having the reliable ASUS Vivobook 16 for work

Featured Image Credit: Chunky

Meet Secret Recipe’s newest addition to its portfolio, a French-inspired patisserie in KL

Recently, I came across a new patisserie brand by the name of Lapisan Pâtisserie (Lapisan) online.

Located in Mid Valley Megamall, this spot specialises in French-inspired patisserie, with offerings ranging from cakes to pastries.

I didn’t realise at first glance, but the business is actually run by the team behind Secret Recipe.  

Speaking to Darren Sim, the Business Development Manager at Secret Recipe Cakes & Café, we learnt that Lapisan’s brand statement is “Classic French Techniques, Uniquely Malaysian”.

“We identified a gap in the market for pastries crafted with authentic French techniques, blending tradition with modern innovation to offer an elevated experience that wasn’t readily available,” he said to Vulcan Post.

Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

The new brand has been in development for over a year, he shared, as the team wanted to take the time to carefully perfect their recipes without sacrificing quality.

“We felt the timing was ideal to launch Lapisan Pâtisserie now, given the increasing consumer interest in high quality, handcrafted pastries,” Darren added.

With the opportune timing, Lapisan opened its doors in August.

A brand of its own

If you were just passing by Lapisan in the mall, you might not realise that it is connected to Secret Recipe.

“Lapisan Pâtisserie was designed to stand as its own brand, offering a distinct experience when it comes to pastries,” Darren explained.

That said, Darren shared that both brands share the same commitment in delivering the best quality and prioritising customer satisfaction.

Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

He also shared that the new venture aligns with Secret Recipe’s overall vision of innovation and expansion. At the same time, it allows for the team to grow beyond their traditional offerings and explore new spaces while maintaining the high standards that have defined Secret Recipe’s success.

And while the team isn’t leveraging on Secret Recipe’s branding, they of course do leverage the expertise that the team has acquired over the years.

“With over two decades of success, Secret Recipe has provided us with invaluable insights into consumers preference, operational excellence, and maintaining quality at scale,” Darren said. “A few key lessons from Secret Recipe’s history includes customers, quality and innovation, and adaptability.”

Saying bonjour to French desserts

The appetite for quality pastries is higher than ever these days. In Kuala Lumpur alone, patisseries are mushrooming everywhere, from Voila Patisserie, founded by award-winning chefs, to the six-storey fine dining dessert spot, Nucre Patisserie.  

This increased demand also means higher expectations and more competition.

What the team believes sets Lapisan apart, though, is their fusion of traditional French techniques with “modern innovation”, particularly when it comes to contemporary flavours.

Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

“Additionally, our focus on using only the finest ingredients combined with a commitment to artisanal quality and consistency allows us to deliver products that stand out for their taste and presentation.”

“This, coupled with our spirit of adaptability, ensures we’re constantly evolving with market trends, introducing innovative flavours and concepts that keep our offerings fresh and exciting,” Darren said.

If you’ve been keeping up with Secret Recipe, you’d know that they’ve consistently put out innovative cake flavours over the years. Perhaps we could expect to see the same approach to Lapisan’s menu.

What Darren believes is the most important when it comes to standing out, though, is understanding the current patisserie market, from identifying customers’ demand and preferences to analysing the selections available in the market.

“We found a gap in the market that maintains the quality and sophistication of traditional French techniques while remaining accessible to a wider audience,” he pointed out.

Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

That’s why Lapisan’s menu is all about offering high quality artisanal pastries at an affordable price without compromising on flavour or craftmanship.

A menu highlight is the Honey Toast, described as a delightful treat with a balance of sweetness and texture.

Darren also highlighted the Almond Croissant that features rich, buttery layers and the nutty crunch of almonds. For those who like savoury options, there’s the Spicy Mayo Sausage Croissant.

Layer by layer

The journey to starting a business, even for a team as seasoned as Secret Recipe, isn’t devoid of challenges.

In fact, Darren even said it would be concerning if they didn’t encounter any challenges.

“One of the key challenges we’ve faced is ensuring consistency across the products which we have dedicated significant amount of time and effort to perfect,” he shared.

“From sourcing of high-quality ingredients suited to our climate which required multiple experimentation to thorough staff training to ensure every product delivered to our customers consistently meets the highest standards.”

Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

With this focus on quality, it’s no surprise that Lapisan’s first outlet in Mid Valley Megamall has been well received. The mall and its high foot traffic has significantly boosted the branding as well, Darren added.

Emboldened by this positive reception, Lapisan Pâtisserie aims to solidify its presence in the market by expanding its customer base and enhancing brand recognition.

Darren shared that by the end of 2025, the team is targeting to have at least five outlets across Malaysia.

“For the long term, Lapisan Pâtisserie envisions growing into a well-established brand and expanding its footprint throughout the various states of Malaysia,” he elaborated. “The ultimate goal is to be recognised as a leader in blending French techniques with Malaysian flavours, offering an unparalleled pastry experience across all outlets.”

  • Learn more about Lapisan Pâtisserie here.
  • Read other articles we’ve written about F&B businesses here.

Also Read: 3 ways Old Klang Road makes an ideal neighbourhood for M’sians wanting work-life balance

Featured Image Credit: Lapisan Pâtisserie

First to graduate in her family, this M’sian doctor now runs her own one-stop clinic

[Written in partnership with Panacea Family Clinic, but the editorial team had full control over the content.]

Growing up, you probably had a clinic near your home that was your go-to spot for anything medical. Such was the case for Dr Gokilavani Sekar Chandran, who goes by Dr Vani.

Hailing from Segambut, Dr Vani’s family never had any university graduates, much less a medical one. But groomed by her parents, who valued education above all else, she ended up pursuing medicine.

Beyond that, though, she was also highly inspired by her family doctor.

“I loved his style of practice,” she shared. “He was one of those doctors where you instantly felt better after just seeing him, as he had impeccable communication skills.”

After all, being a good doctor is not just about being smart. Empathy and communication skills are also paramount.

That’s why these are values that are integral to Dr Vani’s own practice, Panacea Family Clinic (Panacea).

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

Starting at the primary level

During her medical school training in New Zealand, Dr Vani learnt that health outcomes are directly related to health determinants such as socioeconomic status, health-seeking behaviours, health beliefs, lifestyle, and access to healthcare.

The best place to address all the issues and ultimately improve community health outcomes is by work carried out at the primary care level.

“This was the key motivation for me to pursue my career as a primary care physician,” she told Vulcan Post.

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

After a stint in New Zealand, Dr Vani returned home to be closer to family in 2018. She then spent two years as an internal medicine medical officer at University Malaya Medical Centre.

“Once I had my firstborn, I transitioned into a private general practice setting as I felt I was ready to go back to primary care practice which I have always been passionate about,” she said.

Being passionate about it, Dr Vani spent a lot of time learning the landscape of private primary care in Malaysia. She noticed that there was a gap between private and government settings here.

“Having worked and trained in a system where the difference in health outcome can be directly linked to efficient primary care services, I realised instantly I needed to set up my own practice so that I can deliver the type of care I envision for my community,” she said.

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

She wanted it to be a place where the whole family’s health can be prioritised and meaningful differences can be made.

That’s why the clinic is called Panacea, a word that means a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.

From early pregnancy to geriatric care

When pregnant with her first child, Dr Vani experienced severe nausea and vomiting, requiring frequent medical attention. When her baby was born, she suffered from colic.  

“Throughout this period I realised that an ideal clinic for a young family is one that is family-centric, value-based, and a place where my family can get quality and empathetic care,” she explained.

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

As such, Panacea Family Clinic is designed to be a one-stop centre, caring for the needs of all ages.  

The clinic’s services range from early pregnancy care to postpartum care for both mother and baby, including breastfeeding and early childhood vaccinations.

Building upon that, Panacea also provides comprehensive medical checkups to detect non-communicable diseases as well as geriatric care.

The clinic is staffed with experienced female doctors who have both international and local healthcare setting experience. Dr Vani is joined by Dr Aida, who studied with her at the University of Auckland. There are also five support staff including a clinic manager, clinic assistants, and a radiographer.

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

Panacea is fully equipped with rapid diagnostics including the latest models of ultrasound, a digital X-ray system, equipment for full blood analyses, and full blood profiles including kidney function, liver function, diabetes, and cholesterol studies. Rapid tests for respiratory viruses are also available.

“Early and accurate diagnosis ensures early treatment and hospitalisations can be avoided which in turn reduces total cost of healthcare in the long run,” Dr Vani said about the range of equipment.

“By strengthening diagnosis at the primary care level, we are aiming to improve overall community health outcomes—we can help to reduce congestion at hospital settings.”

Improving health literacy

But what makes Panacea different from the countless other clinics available? Well, aside from empathy, the clinic also prides itself on education.

Early on in Dr Vani’s career, she realised that the most crucial aspect of improving patient health outcomes lies in improved patients’ understanding of their health and illness.

“In Malaysia, we have varied healthcare beliefs and cultural beliefs that have a strong influence on health-related practices,” she pointed out. “I noticed a lack of patients understanding or awareness of common medical illnesses.”

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

She understood that education is key for patients to empower their health journey so that they can make better-informed choices regarding their lifestyle and treatment plans.

That’s why patient education is key at Panacea.

“Our health literacy initiative starts from our consultation room,” Dr Vani said. “By ensuring we give detailed explanations to patients with regards to their condition, we ensure they receive appropriate counselling regarding their medications at the dispensary.”

Beyond that, the team also produces educational videos to be shared on social media. Dr Vani also regularly appears on mainstream television and radio, from the Astro Vanakkam Doctor Show to Minnal FM, to provide regular health education to the community.

Panacea also has an open communication policy whereby patients can WhatsApp them to ask about various health-related questions.

Bringing quality healthcare to all

All these efforts don’t come cheap. Dr Vani pointed out that running a clinic in KL is expensive to begin with, and operation costs are only rising.

“The private GP fee schedule has not been reviewed by the government over the last two decades,” she explained. “Hence, with the rising cost of medical devices, medications, and operations including staff salary and rental, the toughest challenge has been running the clinic as a solo practitioner.”

Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

Despite the challenges, the Panacea team frequently celebrate their wins. Dr Vani said that the biggest win so far has been being able to have more than 10,000 patient encounters in less than two years.

Looking ahead, Panacea aims to expand their services to include more outreach and corporate wellbeing programmes. Beyond that, they also hope to set up two more clinics by 2025.

“Our seven-year plan is to have seven clinic branches with employment opportunities for over 50 staff,” she shared.

These clinics will continue Panacea’s core values of excellence, empathy, and of course, education.

  • Learn more about Panacea Family Clinic here.
  • Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.

Also Read: Adapt or go obsolete: Learn to embrace AI & cybersecurity for your biz at this KL summit

Featured Image Credit: Panacea Family Clinic

Vulcan Post aims to be the knowledge hub of Singapore and Malaysia.

© 2021 GRVTY Media Pte. Ltd.
(UEN 201431998C.)

Vulcan Post aims to be the knowledge hub of Singapore and Malaysia.

© 2021 GRVTY Media Pte. Ltd.
(UEN 201431998C.)

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Vulcan Post aims to be the knowledge hub of Singapore and Malaysia.

© 2021 GRVTY Media Pte. Ltd.
(UEN 201431998C.)