Food brings people together, and the availability of halal options, especially those featuring a variety of cultural cuisines, is both welcoming and attractive.
At the Halal in Travel (HIT) Awards 2025, Malaysia celebrated a proud achievement as Mohd Chan Group Berhad, a locally established brand, was named Muslim-Friendly Restaurant Chain of the Year. The award recognised the success of its well-loved Mohd Chan restaurants, known for serving authentic halal Chinese cuisine.
According to Datuk Wira Mustafa Chan, group managing director of Mohd Chan Group Berhad and a member of the Islamic Tourism Centre Board of Trustees, Mohd Chan began in 2007 as a small, family-run restaurant in Bandar Bukit Beruntung, Rawang, with a mission to offer authentic halal Chinese cuisine to the local Muslim community.
“We saw an opportunity to serve a unique market with sincerity, hospitality and a strong commitment to Halalan Toyyiban principles. Over time, Mohd Chan grew from a single outlet into a multi-branch restaurant group serving customers across Malaysia. We continuously improved our food offerings, service culture and operational systems to ensure consistency, cleanliness and quality at every location,” said Mustafa.
“Today, our focus remains on strengthening our brand and operations throughout Malaysia. We believe in growing sustainably, and InsyaAllah, when the time is right, we plan to expand into selected Southeast Asian countries to share the heritage of halal Chinese cuisine with a wider regional audience.”
MAINTAINING HALAL INTEGRITY
Mustafa shared that one of the key challenges in expanding the Mohd Chan brand was maintaining consistent halal integrity across all branches. This involves more than simply meeting halal certification requirements as it also means safeguarding purity throughout the supply chain, staff handling and daily operations. He explained that achieving this standard requires continuous training, close monitoring and strong discipline.
He also emphasised the importance of aligning service and hospitality standards with Muslim-friendly values. According to him, serving halal food alone is not enough; staff must also demonstrate respect, sincerity, and cleanliness in their interactions with customers.
“To manage this, we built strong SOPs, provided internal halal and hospitality training and appointed leaders to monitor quality and adherence at the ground level.”
We also emphasise values in our culture because true Muslim-friendly service must come from the heart, not just from compliance.
MUSLIM-FRIENDLY RECOGNITION AT HIT 2025
Mustafa described the Muslim-Friendly Restaurant Chain of the Year award as a humbling milestone for the Mohd Chan team. He shared that it recognises not just the food but the heart behind their work, the niat (intention), the discipline and the years of istiqamah in serving halal with integrity and sincerity.
“For our team, this is more than just an achievement. It serves as a reminder that every effort, from the kitchen to the cashier, makes a difference. It reflects our journey from a humble family restaurant to a recognised halal brand that represents the values of Islam in a modern, multicultural world.
“It also motivates us to go further, to improve, to innovate and to continue setting a high standard for Muslim-friendly dining. Alhamdulillah, we see this award as both an honour and an amanah (trust) to serve even better.”
Following the recent recognition, Mohd Chan Group plans to strengthen its halal food business by enhancing local outlet performance, expanding into retail products and training, supporting local suppliers and investing in people development. The group also aims to pursue international expansion into selected Southeast Asian countries when the time and partnerships are right.
More than just a meal
IN the evolving landscape of Muslim-friendly tourism, one oft-overlooked but powerful catalyst is food.
More than sustenance, food serves as a cultural bridge – an entry point into values, traditions, and shared experiences.
For many travellers, primarily Muslim tourists, the presence of trustworthy halal food is not only a comfort but a key determinant of destination choice.
Recognising this, Datuk Wira Mustafa Chan, board member of ITC and group managing director of Mohd Chan Group, believes that Malaysia’s F&B sector holds a frontline role in crafting an authentic, welcoming tourism experience.
“Food is often the first touchpoint for travellers, as it reflects our values, our hospitality and our cultural richness,” said Mustafa.
“Mohd Chan, for example, has always championed authentic halal Chinese cuisine not just for the local Muslim community but also as a bridge of understanding for tourists seeking both culinary adventure and religious assurance.”
As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, Mustafa said brands like Mohd Chan could support the effort by upholding halalan toyyiban standards, offering uniquely Malaysian dining experiences, and serving as cultural ambassadors.
He added that collaboration with tourism stakeholders and investing in Muslim-friendly service training are also key to meeting the needs of Muslim travellers.
“In short, F&B brands are not just businesses. We are frontliners of Malaysia’s Muslim-friendly image. If we serve with sincerity, consistency and excellence, we can leave a lasting impression on every visitor and elevate Malaysia as a true home for Muslim-friendly hospitality.”
