From LKK to Infinitus

The Legendary Century of Lee Kum Kee

In the Chinese-speaking world, the name Lee Kum Kee is known by virtually everyone. But how did this legendary century-old brand begin?

With over a century of development, Lee Kum Kee products are now sold in over 100 countries and regions. It stands as both a symbol of Chinese culinary culture and a globally influential brand. Its legendary journey began with a pot of oyster sauce made entirely by accident.

The Beginning of the Legend: The First Pot of Oyster Sauce

Lee Kum Sheung, the founder of Lee Kum Kee, was originally a tea house owner in Zhuhai’s Nam Shui village in Xinhui, Guangdong, who also cooked oysters for a living. One day in 1888, while simmering oysters over a fire, he accidentally overcooked them. When a rich aroma caught his attention, he tasted the thick sauce that had formed—and was amazed by the flavor. Inspired by this accidental discovery, Lee Kum Sheung refined the recipe and cooking process, officially naming the product "oyster sauce." Oyster sauce quickly became a local specialty, prompting him to rename his tea house "Lee Kum Kee Oyster Sauce Shop." Thus began the legendary journey of Lee Kum Kee.

Lee Kum Kee Goes Global: Quality and Innovation Drive a Global Brand

In 1902, a devastating fire destroyed Nam Shui Village and the Lee Kum Kee shop. Lee Kum Sheung relocated his family to Macau, where he restarted the oyster sauce business.

In 1920, his son Lee Shiu Nam took over the business, improving production techniques and quality while exploring international markets.

In 1932, Lee Kum Kee opened a branch and relocated its headquarters to Hong Kong, rapidly expanding operations.

In 1972, third-generation leader Lee Man Tat led a new transformation. He built manufacturing bases worldwide and introduced automation, helping Lee Kum Kee’s products become household staples globally.

Modernizing Lee Kum Kee

After completing their studies abroad, Lee Man Tat’s five children returned to join the company, introducing modern management and open thinking that helped Lee Kum Kee evolve. Today, Lee Kum Kee is not only a staple on Chinese dining tables worldwide but also made its way to the International Space Station as an official condiment for astronauts.

A New Chapter in Health: Infinitus

In the 1990s, Lee Kum Kee decided to diversify into Chinese herbal health. In 1992, it launched Infinitus, which became a core part of the Group. Infinitus was created to fulfill the family’s second historical mission: to promote Chinese wellness traditions and help people live balanced, prosperous, and harmonious lives.

The Birth of Infinitus

The spirit of Lee Kum Kee—constant innovation, bold experimentation, and fearless challenges—has given rise to an exceptional brand.

In the 1990s, having fulfilled its first historical mission—promoting the excellence of Chinese culinary culture—Lee Kum Kee began exploring diversified development. Lee Man Tat’s five children returned from overseas studies, bringing fresh perspectives. Together, they turned their attention to the herbal health industry, aiming to inject new vitality and innovation into the family legacy.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is a cultural treasure with thousands of years of history. Yet despite having the world’s richest herbal resources, China had not taken a global leadership role in this field. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea were rapidly developing their “Kampo” medicine industries, attracting Chinese TCM talent and selling processed herbal products back to China. This realization prompted Lee Man Tat and his children to recognize the vast potential of the herbal health market—and to take decisive steps toward entering it.

The Birth of Infinitus: Bringing Chinese Wellness Culture to the World

In 1992, Lee Wai Sum, son of Lee Man Tat, learned that a classmate had ties to Zhao Yunhong, the former president of the First Military Medical University (now Southern Medical University). A meeting was arranged, and soon after, Lee Man Tat and his father visited Guangzhou to discuss collaboration opportunities with Zhao and other TCM experts. Within a month, a formal agreement was signed. On December 8 of the same year, Infinitus was officially established (initially named Guangdong Southern Lee Kum Kee Health Products Co., Ltd.). A factory was built at the university, marking the beginning of a new brand with a clear mission: to promote the wisdom of Chinese wellness culture and support balanced, abundant, and harmonious living.

The founding of Infinitus was not only a major step in Lee Kum Kee’s diversification, but also a breakthrough in its expansion into the health and wellness sector. As one of the world’s leading wellness brands, Infinitus focuses on developing a wide range of herbal health products—and on sharing the essence of Chinese wellness culture with the world. Its product portfolio spans from herbal remedies to nutritional health products, all designed to improve the well-being and quality of life of global consumers.

Over the years, Infinitus has championed the modernization and globalization of Chinese herbal health products. It has emerged as a leader in the international wellness market—bringing Chinese health culture to a global audience and earning its place among top global brands. Whether in daily life or broader wellness journeys, Infinitus products help people around the world achieve a more balanced and harmonious lifestyle.

Infinitus Global

Infinitus Global is a key subsidiary of the Lee Kum Kee Group, specializing in the R&D, production, sales, and services of Chinese herbal health products. Infinitus has established branches in numerous countries and successfully introduced the essence of Chinese wellness to the international market.