In this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian hit the factory floor of a company that is turning 100 years old in 2026!

Bingo if you’ve guessed Polar Puffs & Cakes! Then called the Polar Cafe, the firm opened the doors of its first outlet on 51 High Street in 1926, serving up curry puffs, ice-cream and chilled beverages.

The cafe soon became the go-to-place for politicians, lawyers and businessmen due to its strategic location near the trading harbour. And among them, according to the firm, is prominent Hokkien businessman Lim Bo Seng. 

Today, Polar Puffs & Cakes adopts mostly a takeaway concept and boasts a network of 37 stores and cafes across Singapore, with six more outlets set to open their doors in 2026 and 2027.   

The company also made its first step to expand abroad by opening a new store in Gurney Plaza, Penang in 2025. 

But how is Polar Puffs & Cakes spicing up the business looking into its next 100 years of operations? Tian Tian headed down to the firm’s factory in Woodlands Link, where she spoke with Chan Kok Yew, Executive Chairman of Polar Puffs & Cakes for more.

In this &ldquo;On the Go&rdquo; Special episode of Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian hit the factory floor of a company that is turning 100 years old in 2026!
Bingo if you&rsquo;ve guessed Polar Puffs &amp; Cakes! Then called the Polar Cafe, the firm opened the doors of its first outlet on 51 High Street in 1926, serving up curry puffs, ice-cream and chilled beverages.
The cafe soon became the go-to-place for politicians, lawyers and businessmen due to its strategic location near the trading harbour. And among them, according to the firm, is prominent Hokkien businessman Lim Bo Seng.&nbsp;
Today, Polar Puffs &amp; Cakes adopts mostly a takeaway concept and boasts a network of 37 stores and cafes across Singapore, with six more outlets set to open their doors in 2026 and 2027. &nbsp;&nbsp;
The company also made its first step to expand abroad by opening a new store in Gurney Plaza, Penang in 2025.&nbsp;
But how is Polar Puffs &amp; Cakes spicing up the business looking into its next 100 years of operations? Tian Tian headed down to the firm&rsquo;s factory in Woodlands Link, where she spoke with Chan Kok Yew, Executive Chairman of Polar Puffs &amp; Cakes for more.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

We speak with businesses, industry leaders, venture capitalists and startups on their assessment of the business environment they're in, and what the future holds for them.

Under The Radar

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How is Polar Puff & Cakes spicing up the business as it celebrates 100 years of operations? Its Executive Chairman spills the curry puff flakes.

Incorporated in 1993 and subsequently listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in 1997, Samudera Shipping Line is a shipping company primarily engaged in transporting containerised and non-containerised cargo through its Container Shipping, Bulk and Tanker, as well as Agency and Logistics Business Segments. 

Instead of competing with the world’s largest shipping companies by size, Samudera Shipping builds its strategy around finding niches. 

The maritime logistics player focuses on offering feeder services between its “hub” port in Singapore and other “spoke” ports in Asia, with its vessels plying trade routes between ports in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East and the Middle East.

But beyond building its own niche, Samudera Shipping also values flexibility for its vessels, with the company owning only about one-third of its fleet. The rest are split between short-term and long-term charters. 

That flexibility is proving to be important in today’s ever uncertain world, with the Middle East conflict disrupting major shipping routes and pushing freight and insurance costs higher.

For one thing, the firm moved all of its vessels out of the Gulf region when the war in the Middle East broke out in February 2026.

The firm is also big on diversification, having recently expanded its footprint to Europe and South America. It had also in May 2026 launched a new weekly container service that directly connects Japan and South Korea. 

So, how effective has it been for Samudera Shipping to build its niche in providing feeder services? How far can Samudera Shipping continue to expand globally without sacrificing the flexibility that has defined its strategy?

On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Bani Mulia, Executive Director and Group CEO, Samudera Shipping.

Incorporated in 1993 and subsequently listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange in 1997, Samudera Shipping Line is a shipping company primarily engaged in transporting containerised and non-containerised cargo through its Container Shipping, Bulk and Tanker, as well as Agency and Logistics Business Segments.&nbsp;
Instead of competing with the world&rsquo;s largest shipping companies by size, Samudera Shipping builds its strategy around finding niches.&nbsp;
The maritime logistics player focuses on offering feeder services between its &ldquo;hub&rdquo; port in Singapore and other &ldquo;spoke&rdquo; ports in Asia, with its vessels plying trade routes between ports in Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East and the Middle East.
But beyond building its own niche, Samudera Shipping also values flexibility for its vessels, with the company owning only about one-third of its fleet. The rest are split between short-term and long-term charters.&nbsp;
That flexibility is proving to be important in today&rsquo;s ever uncertain world, with the Middle East conflict disrupting major shipping routes and pushing freight and insurance costs higher.
For one thing, the firm moved all of its vessels out of the Gulf region when the war in the Middle East broke out in February 2026.
The firm is also big on diversification, having recently expanded its footprint to Europe and South America. It had also in May 2026 launched a new weekly container service that directly connects Japan and South Korea.&nbsp;
So, how effective has it been for Samudera Shipping to build its niche in providing feeder services? How far can Samudera Shipping continue to expand globally without sacrificing the flexibility that has defined its strategy?
On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Bani Mulia, Executive Director and Group CEO, Samudera Shipping.

Under the Radar: How does Samudera Shipping expand while retaining flexibility and its niche in serving intra-Asia feeder routes? Its CEO explains.

What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “flamed-grilled” burgers, or even to “have it your way”? 

For over seven decades, Burger King built its identity around its freshly flame-grilled burgers and the iconic Whopper. But behind that familiar bite, is a giant food empire altogether. 

The brand is part of Restaurant Brands International, a company formed in 2014 following the merger of Burger King and coffee chain Tim Hortons. 

Today, the Toronto headquartered company owns four of the world’s most prominent fast food chains, namely Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs.

It is more notably one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly US$49 billion in annual system-wide sales generated across over 33,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories. 

Restaurant Brands International is a company to look at not just because of the sheer scale of its operations, but also because of its recent efforts to rejuvenate APAC business in the past three years. 

In late October 2022, Restaurant Brands International’s subsidiary PLK Apac appointed Fei Siong Group to run the Popeyes fried chicken chain in Singapore after working with Malaysian restaurant operator Revenue Valley for over a decade. 

The firm also launched the Popeye’s brand in Indonesia and South Korea that same year, and announced a nationwide expansion in China the following year. Then came the year 2023, where its coffee brand Tim Hortons entered the Singapore market, and made a plan to open over 150 outlets in South Korea in five years. 

But perhaps what’s even more exciting was a move by Restaurant Brands International to buy Burger King China back from Turkish restaurant franchise operator TFI and global private equity firm Cartesian in 2025. 

Later that year, the company announced a joint venture with Chinese alternative asset manager CPE to reimagine the next phase of growth for Burger King, with the aim to expand the burger chain’s footprint from roughly 1,250 outlets to over 4,000 by 2035. 

So why is the firm aggressively expanding in Asia right now? 

On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daphne Kuah, Chief Commercial Officer, Restaurant Brands International APAC.

What comes to mind when you think of the phrase &ldquo;flamed-grilled&rdquo; burgers, or even to &ldquo;have it your way&rdquo;?&nbsp;
For over seven decades, Burger King built its identity around its freshly flame-grilled burgers and the iconic Whopper. But behind that familiar bite, is a giant food empire altogether.&nbsp;
The brand is part of Restaurant Brands International, a company formed in 2014 following the merger of Burger King and coffee chain Tim Hortons.&nbsp;
Today, the Toronto headquartered company owns four of the world&rsquo;s most prominent fast food chains, namely Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs.
It is more notably one of the world&rsquo;s largest quick service restaurant companies with nearly US$49 billion in annual system-wide sales generated across over 33,000 restaurants in more than 120 countries and territories.&nbsp;
Restaurant Brands International is a company to look at not just because of the sheer scale of its operations, but also because of its recent efforts to rejuvenate APAC business in the past three years.&nbsp;
In late October 2022, Restaurant Brands International&rsquo;s subsidiary PLK Apac appointed Fei Siong Group to run the Popeyes fried chicken chain in Singapore after working with Malaysian restaurant operator Revenue Valley for over a decade.&nbsp;
The firm also launched the Popeye&rsquo;s brand in Indonesia and South Korea that same year, and announced a nationwide expansion in China the following year. Then came the year 2023, where its coffee brand Tim Hortons entered the Singapore market, and made a plan to open over 150 outlets in South Korea in five years.&nbsp;
But perhaps what&rsquo;s even more exciting was a move by Restaurant Brands International to buy Burger King China back from Turkish restaurant franchise operator TFI and global private equity firm Cartesian in 2025.&nbsp;
Later that year, the company announced a joint venture with Chinese alternative asset manager CPE to reimagine the next phase of growth for Burger King, with the aim to expand the burger chain&rsquo;s footprint from roughly 1,250 outlets to over 4,000 by 2035.&nbsp;
So why is the firm aggressively expanding in Asia right now?&nbsp;
On Under the Radar, finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daphne Kuah, Chief Commercial Officer, Restaurant Brands International APAC.

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) Why is Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Hortons’ parent Restaurant Brands International expanding aggressively in APAC right now?

It’s all about how an apparel maker is redefining that pair of jeans you’re wearing today. 

Finance presenter Chua Tian Tian was away for the past week attending “Levi’s Women Experience FOR EVERY ORIGINAL” series of pop-up events in Tokyo and Seoul. 

The pop-up experiences aim to celebrate the women who continue to redefine originality today, and is part of Levi’s ongoing efforts to drive growth among female shoppers, a demographic it sees great promise in. 

And at the heart of the campaign is the company’s global brand ambassador ROSE from K-pop girl group Blackpink, whose authenticity, creativity and self-expression Levi said embody the spirit of a modern female Original.

ROSE made a special appearance at the pop-up in Tokyo prior to its opening.

And in this “On the Go” Special episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian shares what happened at the pop-ups she visited, including one with a media photo call with ROSE.

She also spoke with Kenny Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer; Gianluca Flore, Chief Commercial Officer; and Vicky Skelton, Managing Director for East Asia Pacific at Levi Strauss & Co.  on how the firm is internalising consumer trends across markets, and utilising cultural moments, brand ambassadors, pop-culture as well as its heritage to capture the hearts of the next generation of female denim wearers.

It&rsquo;s all about how an apparel maker is redefining that pair of jeans you&rsquo;re wearing today.&nbsp;
Finance presenter Chua Tian Tian was away for the past week attending &ldquo;Levi&rsquo;s Women Experience FOR EVERY ORIGINAL&rdquo; series of pop-up events in Tokyo and Seoul.&nbsp;
The pop-up experiences aim to celebrate the women who continue to redefine originality today, and is part of Levi&rsquo;s ongoing efforts to drive growth among female shoppers, a demographic it sees great promise in.&nbsp;
And at the heart of the campaign is the company&rsquo;s global brand ambassador ROSE from K-pop girl group Blackpink, whose authenticity, creativity and self-expression Levi said embody the spirit of a modern female Original.
ROSE made a special appearance at the pop-up in Tokyo prior to its opening.
And in this &ldquo;On the Go&rdquo; Special episode of Under the Radar, Tian Tian shares what happened at the pop-ups she visited, including one with a media photo call with ROSE.
She also spoke with Kenny Mitchell, Chief Marketing Officer; Gianluca Flore, Chief Commercial Officer; and Vicky Skelton, Managing Director for East Asia Pacific at Levi Strauss &amp; Co. &nbsp;on how the firm is internalising consumer trends across markets, and utilising cultural moments, brand ambassadors, pop-culture as well as its heritage to capture the hearts of the next generation of female denim wearers.

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) On the Go in Tokyo and Seoul — How is Levi’s capturing the hearts of its next generation consumers through its pop-ups featuring K-pop icon ROSE? It’s CMO and CCO explain.

Under the Radar: (SPECIALS) How is Polar Puff & Cakes spicing up the business as it celebrates 100 years of operations? Its Executive Chairman spills the curry puff flakes.

In 3 playlist(s)

Under The Radar

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips