Michelin-Star Dim Sum Restaurant Owner Blames Muslims That “Don’t Eat Pork” Over Closure Of M’sian Outlets
Hong Kong-based two Michelin-star restaurant Tim Ho Wan which operated two outlets in Malaysia since April 2014, has ceased all operations in the country as of July 3, 2017 after incurring RM895,642 in losses for the year. According to Penang-based food and beverage firm Texchem Resources Bhd, it was impossible for their business to turn around in the near future due to the challenging situation. While Texchem said they will provide updates on the matter upon assessment, Mak Kwai Pui, the owner of the restaurant has insinuated racism by blaming the Muslim-majority population for its shutdown. Local press in Hong Kong claim the Hong Kong businessman stating that having a Chinese restaurant in Malaysia is like “operating a sauna business in a remote desert.” He also said the business failed because Muslims “don’t eat pork”, as pork is found in dim sum dishes like BBQ pork bun and shao mai (steamed pork dumpling). His statement clearly did not sit well with Chinese Malaysians who argued they do love pork, which led to comments about the business strategy to the food served itself. Chinese Cross-Border Question and Answer project, interviewed Malaysian-Chinese journalist Wan Qing who claims, “The price of Tim Ho Wan is too high, the quality of food is so and so, service is poor and the flavours of the dishes were not localised.” Qing also pointed out the diverse food options in Malaysia, with other dim sum competitors that have a larger customer base, even when they sell pork. “You can find BBQ pork bun everywhere at food stands. The selling point of ‘steam upon order’ is not appealing in Malaysia as the food culture is so diverse and dishes are always freshly cooked. “How come it has not been suffered from a lack of customers because of Muslim pork-less food culture?,” Qing questioned. Despite Qing admitting that Malaysia is embroiled in religious conflicts every now and then, Qing emphasised it has nothing to do with the closure of Tim Ho Wan. “It is more genuine and convincing to say that [Tim Ho Wan's] BBQ pork bun failed to cater to customers’ tastes than to say that Malaysians cannot eat BBQ pork bun [because of Muslim culture]. “I would say, please do not project your stereotypes onto the imaginary other and do more homework for your business strategy,” he concluded. Tim Ho Wan is Hong Kong’s most popular dim sum restaurants after its original Mong Kok branch was featured in the 2010 Michelin Guide as the cheapest starred restaurant in the world.
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Post time 17-7-2017 05:36 PM
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