Most people think vegetarian food means salad bowls, grain bowls, and the occasional tofu stir-fry. But what if it could also mean laksa, sambal petai pizza, or even orh-luak – all without the meat, and still full of flavour?



That’s the idea behind Roots, a modern vegetarian fusion restaurant founded by Ian Tan and his brothers. Ian shares how he turned familiar Malaysian favourites into plant-based dishes that appeal to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and what it takes to build a brand that balances creativity, culture, and business sense.

Most people think vegetarian food means salad bowls, grain bowls, and the occasional tofu stir-fry. But what if it could also mean laksa, sambal petai pizza, or even orh-luak – all without the meat, and still full of flavour?That’s the idea behind Roots, a modern vegetarian fusion restaurant founded by Ian Tan and his brothers. Ian shares how he turned familiar Malaysian favourites into plant-based dishes that appeal to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, and what it takes to build a brand that balances creativity, culture, and business sense.

The flagship entrepreneurship show on BFM, featuring personal business stories from early stage start-ups, all the way to billionaire octogenarians in Malaysia and abroad. Notable guests include Martin Cooper (father of the mobile phone), Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), Ralph Henry Baer (father of video games), Tony Buzan (Mindmap Guru), Isaac Tigrett (Hard Rock Cafe founder), Robert Kiyosaki (Financial Guru), Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker) and more. Tap into this valuable resource of shared experiences for the SME industry, which also touches on news, issues and trends affecting the business community and beyond.

Open For Business

Discover fresh concepts, tackle obstacles, and unleash growth - Open For Business is the dynamic show where BFM engages with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry trailblazers, igniting inspiration, sparking success, and exploring new business models.

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