ASEAN RECORD-BREAKING DEBUT BY DRAGON HOT POT BOOSTS KL AS REGIONAL GATEWAY AHEAD OF VISIT MALAYSIA 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, 18 October 2025 – The highly anticipated Australian hot pot phenomenon, Dragon Hot Pot, officially marked its Malaysian debut at Bukit Bintang’s Low Yat Park, occupying 2,600 square feet of space, and immediately introducing its globally-viral, custom-made malatang concept to the local market.
”At the heart of Dragon Hot Pot’s success is its commitment to quality, authenticity, and cultural inclusivity. Its signature broths, including the renowned Malatang, are crafted from century-old Sichuan recipes and slow-cooked for over 12 hours using old chickens, more than 20 Chinese herbs, and authentic Sichuan pepper. In Malaysia, the brand has made its entire menu pork-free, lard-free, and alcohol-free to create a Muslim-friendly dining experience that stays true to its original flavours. The company is also in the process of pursuing halal certification from JAKIM as it strengthens its presence locally.Operated by Taste of Malaysia Hot Pot Sdn. Bhd., this debut outlet marks the first step in Dragon Hot Pot’s regional expansion, following its success in Australia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with Japan set to follow next year. Over the next two years, the brand aims to open five to six new outlets across the Klang Valley and other major cities, while inviting local entrepreneurs to join its growth through franchising opportunities.
Affirming the brand’s strategic entry and commitment to Malaysia, the grand opening was formally officiated by Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, recognizing Dragon Hot Pot as a valuable addition to the country’s dynamic dining and tourism sector.In his remarks, Lee noted that the grand opening came at a meaningful time, coinciding with Visit Malaysia 2026, the nation’s largest tourism campaign. “This grand opening couldn’t be more timely. Under the recently tabled Budget 2026, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced over RM700 million to boost tourism nationwide, including a RM500 million fund dedicated specifically to the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign,” he said. “This major investment reflects strong confidence in the industry’s potential to drive growth, and calls for renewed efforts to spotlight our vibrant food scenes, one of Malaysia’s greatest tourism assets.”He added that Budget 2026 also introduced an initiative that has generated much excitement among Malaysians: a special individual income tax relief of up to RM1,000 for expenses related to entrance fees to local tourism attractions and cultural programmes. Lee described the move as “a smart way to channel spending back into our local economy,” noting that it not only encourages domestic travel but also supports the broader tourism value chain.“When people explore our museums, parks, and cultural spots, they’re not only enjoying what our country has to offer, but they’re also supporting small and medium-sized businesses in accommodation, transport, local food, and cultural activities,” he said. “These are the real heartbeat of Malaysia’s tourism ecosystem. And of course, after a full day of exploring Kuala Lumpur’s many attractions, visitors will turn to the city’s diverse dining scene to complete the experience, with comforting spots like Dragon Hot Pot adding to the capital’s growing reputation as a food lover’s haven.”A major highlight of the event was the record-breaking ASEAN achievement, where Dragon Hot Pot Malaysia was officially recognized by ASEAN Records for achieving the title of “Most Hotpot Ingredient and Soup Base Variety by an Australian Mala Hotpot Brand.” The brand impressed with an extensive selection of 162 ingredients from its signature self-service rack and 10 distinctive soup bases, cementing its position as one of the most diverse and customizable hot pot experiences in the region.“We want to redefine how people experience hot pot,” said Mr. Louis Kuo, Brand Founder of Dragon Hot Pot Malaysia. “Traditionally, hot pot is seen as a long, sit-down affair, but in a fast-paced city like Kuala Lumpur, we want to make it more accessible for everyone. Whether it’s a quick lunch break, a casual dinner with friends, or a late-night craving, our concept is designed for people on the go without compromising on quality or flavor.
The grand opening was a vibrant celebration of culture and community engagement. It featured traditional performances, including a dynamic lion and dragon dance, as well as a beautiful traditional Chinese Fan dance. Adding a modern flair, popular artists STEADYGANG and Diana Danielle entertained with special performances and interactive game sessions, attracting a large turnout. Not only that, the celebration kick-started a special promotion where the eager hot pot fans received a complimentary 300g portion of hot pot, resulting in massive excitement and long lines of eager diners.Foodies are in for a treat throughout this October month with two major promotions.
From October 18th to 20th, 2025, customers receive their first 300g of malatang free, paying only for the weight exceeding that complimentary portion. Following this, the excitement continues from October 21st to 31st: customers spending RM25 or more will receive a scratch card for a chance to win major prizes, including an iPad, exclusive Labubu collectibles, AirPods, dining vouchers, and the grand prize of one year of free Dragon Hot Pot.⁸About Taste of Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Dragon Hot Pot)At Dragon Hot Pot, our soup bases are based on century-old hot pot recipes. A combination of old chickens cooked for over 12 hours, with more than 20 traditional Chinese herbs and a unique golden thick fragrant broth is what makes our hot pot stand out from the rest. Made to cook-to-order with over 150 ingredients to choose from, spiciness-your-way, our customers can create endless combinations of hot pot that’s guaranteed to be delicious, every time.
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