Editor's Picks: Favourite Malaysian Childhood Snacks

“For those who remember, Super Ring used to come in a much deeper, almost radioactive orange shade. I was hardcore about my love for this snack because I would buy a bag every day from the roti man on the motorbike outside my school and try to keep it a secret from my mom because I was pretty allergic to food colouring at the time. Of course, I would always get found out because Super Ring left an orange tinge on my lips and fingers—and I would be breaking out into hives. It was so worth it!”

–Zue Wei Leong, digital writer

See also: 13 Stylish New Restaurants in Singapore to Visit in 2022

“Much like how some say cigarettes are a gateway drug that leads you to do worse (or is it better?) drugs, Choki Choki is probably what made me the chocolate connoisseur that I am today.

It certainly isn’t the best chocolate out there, but it was very much accessible, especially while I was growing up as a child, and was definitely a much better option than those brandless gold coin variations. Back then, a stick of Choki Choki sold for 20 cents, or maybe less (with age comes memory loss)—but yes, just one real coin was all it took to get my fix.”

–Aaron Pereira, deputy editor

“Ice cream for me is the ultimate snack on a hot day. As such, I was very fond of the uncle on his magical motorcycle who was very kind to alert us of his whereabouts with his horn on the neighbourhood streets.

When I heard it, it was time to drop everything, beg for pocket money from my grandmother or mother, and rush out to stop the uncle. Then it was peak excitement when he opened the chest of rainbow-coloured ice cream. Choosing between vanilla, chocolate and strawberry was a dilemma and sometimes he would surprise us with a special flavour, like corn or yam!”

–Lynette Ow, editor-in-chief

See also: 7 Pistachio Desserts to Try in the Klang Valley

“My childhood was an ongoing battle to sneak in as much contraband junk food as my mother had a zero junk food tolerance policy at home. Cheezels was a favourite because I liked slipping the rings on my fingers and munching them off one by one. Also it was one of the few snacks stocked by the roti man, who came by in the evenings, and I could secretly buy a packet while buying bread.

Scoffing it down in the garden before going inside was more challenging. The bright yellow cheese dust got everywhere and I had to dust my pajamas several times—but having any kind of junk food before bed was too good to give up.”

–Jennifer Choo, editor-in-chief, Tatler Homes Malaysia

“It used to be one of those snacks you’d buy from the uncles that rode those bikes with a mountain of snacks strapped to it. You could buy them in a huge bag back then for cheap! 

These were a great after-school treat—the salty seasoning and that airy, starchy crunch were great for a kid who needed something to get her going while finishing her math homework.”

–Koyyi Chin, senior writer 

See also: 6 Best Street Snacks Unique to Taiwan

“Iced gem biscuits may not look like much but these candy biscuits filled my childhood with many a sugar high daze. The basic snack—small round crunchy biscuits, each with a dollop of artificially coloured meringue on top—was commonly found in large tin canisters at a local tuck shop or a night market stall, and sold by weight.

It was so easy to go through a bag in one sitting while binging on Saturday morning cartoons. Whenever it got too sweet for my liking, I’d peel off the saccharine icing on top to eat the biscuit separately and toss the sugary bits back into the bag or container, which did not impress my mom. Sorry, not sorry.”

–Lainey Loh, digital director

“There was no better joy than peeling open the wrapper of a Yupi burger gummy. I always took it apart and put the burger back together like I was an employee at the Krusty Krab (of SpongeBob SquarePants fame), and subsequently proceeded to eat it layer by layer, maximising my time with the sweet treat.

They were my favourite candies to find in my Halloween trick-or-treat stash and the ones I would always pick out on grocery runs with my mom. And no, the hot dog ones are not the same! I loved tasting and chewing on the different flavours and textures of each layer. Now that I think about it, maybe the Yupi burger gummy set me on the path to being a food writer.”

–Amanda Fung, writer, Tatler Dining Malaysia

See also: Where to Get Your Burger Fix in the Klang Valley

“Haw flakes will always have a special place in my heart because on road trips to Singapore when I was a child, my dad would stop by the convenience store to purchase a pack. Grabbing it from his pocket when he returned to the car, I would rush to peel off the circular green and pink paper cover.

Impatiently, I wouldn’t take the time to separate the slices from each other, stuffing multiple flakes into my mouth at once, while my dad would let each delicate morsel melt in his mouth.”

–Katelyn Tan, senior writer, Tatler Dining Malaysia

“As a child, snack time never truly felt complete without a pack of Mamee Monster. The irresistible crunch of the wavy patterned noodle snack is so simple yet iconic and absolute comfort for me as I love my crunchy snacks. While numerous flavours have been introduced over the years, my favourite was the original chicken flavour.

Though I don’t consume Mamee Monster regularly anymore, I’m glad it has become my son’s all-time favourite snack too.”

–Chong Jinn Xiung, editor, Gen.T Malaysia

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