See Xi · Snapshots: Yunnan snacks popular in Malaysia

China and Malaysia are friendly neighbors over the sea. As the bilateral ties usher in a new "Golden 50 Years", China-Malaysia cooperation has created more opportunities for development in both countries and the broader region.

In recent years, exchanges between Yunnan and Malaysia have grown increasingly frequent and profound. Many Yunnan brands have crossed mountains and seas to take root and flourish in Malaysia. These brands brought new products and services to Malaysia, while bridging economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two nations.

The Malaysian "DIMSUSU" store under Yunnan food company Dian Xiaosu is located in a large shopping mall.

In mid-April, YICC reporters visited Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, and they discovered numerous Yunnan elements, witnessing the innovation by Yunnan enterprises overseas.  

They first entered a Yunnan-style restaurant. Owned by a native of Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, the eatery specializes in rice noodles, soups, rice bowls with toppings, and other dishes. The rice noodles with braised beef slices has become a must-try for many customers. The menu also features Yunnan snacks like fried potatoes and grilled tofu, which preserve traditional cooking methods—especially in seasonings and dipping sauces.  

"I’m a regular customer here. The beef rice noodle soup is incredibly tasty, and the dumplings and grilled meat are my favorites," praised a local diner in Kuala Lumpur.

On social media platforms, a bakery in Putrajaya, Malaysia, features Yunnan rose petal-filled pastries, and it has garnered countless likes. The bakery belongs to the overseas brand "DIMSUSU" under Yunnan food company Dian Xiaosu. Located in a large shopping mall, the store will see customers flock to buy desserts as soon as it opens at 10 a.m., and its striking rose-covered wall has become a popular photo spot.  

 

A Malaysian baker works in the "DIMSUSU" store under Yunnan food company Dian Xiaosu.  

The bakery offers a wide variety of products, with the most distinctive being rose petal pastries, alongside egg yolk pastries, pineapple cakes, mung bean cakes, and other traditional Chinese sweets.  

One of the bakers comes from east Yunnan’s Qujing city, and he is busy preparing fresh pastries for daily customers. "The rose ingredients used here are all locally sourced from Yunnan, and the product was also developed in the province. All local staff members in the bakery were trained by Yunnan bakers who had come to Malaysia earlier,” he said.

He added that the current bestseller is the rose-pineapple pastry. Blending the fragrance of roses with local culinary preferences, it has won hearts of Malaysian diners with its rich flavors, allowing them to try the delight of "eating flowers." "We’re planning to open more branches in Malaysia and are excited to see how Dian Xiaosu thrives abroad," he said.

 

Products of the Malaysian "DIMSUSU" store under Yunnan food company Dian Xiaosu

Another emerging brand SHAREPOPO (wild bubbles), which is also rooted in Yunnan’s local culture, entered Kuala Lumpur’s malls last year. Combining Yunnan’s special olive with other beverage mixes, it offers a unique taste different from traditional local drinks. To cater to Southeast Asian tastes, the brand has also localized its products, rolling out mango milkshakes, chocolate milkshakes, and mango pomelo sago.

A staff member said that customers are attracted by the drinks’ slightly tart yet sweet aftertaste, adding the jasmine-infused herbal olive tea remains a top choice.  

YUN NANS, a Yunnan cuisine chain in downtown Kuala Lumpur, is fully packed at noon. Stepping inside, diners are greeted by indigo-dyed paintings on the wall, and they can tell the brand comes from Yunnan.

 

The SHAREPOPO drinks are rooted in Yunnan’s local culture.  

Across-the-bridge rice noodles have become a signature of Yunnan cuisine. The simmering soup is prepared with traditional Yunnan techniques, and adhering to original standards, it delivers a delight to diners’ palates. Meanwhile, the Dai-style grilled meat has its unique spice blend, dipping sauce and grilling method, and it has thus earned the title of “magic flavor” among Malaysian diners.

Behind this authentic flavor lies the Yunnan workers’ dedication to their supply chains. From agro-cultivation to cold-chain logistics, quality control, cooking, and service management, they tried their best to ensure that the Yunnan taste remains pure and authentic thousands of miles away.  

 

YUN NANS is a Yunnan cuisine chain in downtown Kuala Lumpur.

Now, this Yunnan restaurant has become a hotspot on Kuala Lumpur’s culinary map, appealing to local foodies and global travelers.

The growth of Yunnan brands in Kuala Lumpur embodies the idea of "harmony in diversity." Beyond the food industry, Yunnan enterprises across sectors like agriculture, retail, construction, logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing have also taken roots in Malaysia, fostering win-win cooperation and mutual appreciation.

By Huang Yixian and Wang Shixue