SNACK chain Old Chang Kee has changed tack for its move into China by opening a restaurant in Chengdu.
The eatery is located in the hip and trendy YY Sports Mall in Chunxi Road, which is Chengdu's equivalent to Singapore's Orchard Road.
The walkways in the restaurant are adorned with colourful murals made up of the images of Singaporean expatriates working in Chengdu, giving the restaurant a distinctive local touch.
Singapore's Minister of State for Defence, Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, who attended the opening yesterday, told the gathering: 'Over the years, Singapore cuisine such as our local curry puffs has reached the far corners of the world.
'Through promoting the Singapore food experience that comprises high quality and a unique blend of cultural heritage and fusion tastes, we want to help our food-service players gain a greater foothold abroad.'
Prof Koo added that he hoped the new Old Chang Kee restaurant will help promote Singapore and its must-try dishes among the locals in Chengdu.
Old Chang Kee chairman Han Keen Juan said: 'We believe Chengdu is a strategic area for us to anchor our flagship Old Chang Kee brand due to its prime location.'
The firm also has outlets in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.
It plans to exceed 80 outlets across the region by the end of the year.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on October 29, 2008.
