If you are a fan of Saudi Arabian food and fast food chains there is a high chance that you have heard of the infamous restaurant “AL BAIK”.
With its roots that have begun in Saudi Arabia by a Saudi-Palestinian entrepreneur, the brand has become a household name for those who reside in Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring countries. Even individuals who have travelled to Saudi for various reasons like Umrah and Hajj are bound to know this chain as it is littered far and near in Mecca and Mina.
Thus, when news spread of the supposed Saudi Arabian brand opening its doors in Malaysia, netizens cooked up a storm online with their thoughts and opinions. But, an issue sparked as Malaysians realised an adamant problem with this opening.
But… it’s not the same fast food brand.
The Saudi Arabian brand has been true to one thing; staying in the Saudi Arabian market.
While the brand can be found in neighbouring states, its main focus remains in the Middle East with no plans on venturing elsewhere. However, this leaves those who have tried it craving for the iconic fried chicken in other parts of the world.
This yearning for the crispy chicken has brought many similar brands into the international market.
One big player in this misleading brand fiasco is the brand Al-Baik.com from India. This brand originated in 2009 and has since opened over 180 outlets with the tagline ‘The taste of Middle East’. However, the similarities in the menu and names has left many confused between the two brands.
Image Credit: albaik.com and al-baik.com
Regardless, the official website of Al-Baik.com has explicitly stated that the two brands are separate entities. So, what’s the big fuss?
Well, the newly opened fast food chain in Malaysia is not the Saudi Arabian brand. Instead it is the Indian franchise with a strikingly similar menu.
This shocking revelation released a ripple effect of negative comments targeted towards the restaurant that was gearing up for its launch. Echoes of unfavourable opinions went to the extreme as many accused the brand of being a copycat of the iconic Saudi Arabian fried chicken. Many warned others that the chain was not the original one, and to not expect to have the same experience.
What is the hype?
While netizens and online fury sparked throughout the Internet, the Indian-origin fried chicken brand began operations in Malaysia. On the first day of its launch, long lines piled into the store, creating a lively atmosphere. Unfortunately, the reactions were less than satisfactory.
The flurry of anticipation brought an unimaginable crowd to the new fast food joint, something that the staff was not ready for. Based on reviews from individuals who visited the newly opened restaurant, there was a wait for up to 2 HOURS! This angered even more online users that found it absurd due to its controversial roots.
MFT Review
Is the wait really worth it?
Well, sort of? While waiting for fast food fried chicken for two hours was a painful experience, the chicken was actually pretty good!
The chicken was freshly fried and was super juicy although being parts that would usually be on the drier side. But forewarning, the chicken is not for non-spice takers. It had the perfect amount of spice and seasoning that made us keep going back for seconds. The garlic sauce also added a tangy mayo-like flavour to cut down on the greasiness of the chicken.
We also had their burger which was pretty average tasting but with a large portion. The joint also has smoked chicken wings which is pretty different from other fast food outlets we have in Malaysia. In terms of flavour, the wings were pretty similar to those you would get from other eateries. Thus, it may be a better call to get chicken wings elsewhere.
It is also worth noting that the prices are pretty steep compared to other common fast food options in Malaysia. This paired with the wait time leaves a big question mark on whether the cons are justifiable.
Our take? It might be better to hold off from the outlet until the hype dies down. While the chicken is one of the best we have had from a fast food chain, the wait time and other dishes that were average fast food cannot justify the hellish wait time.
But, if you don’t mind a body-aching wait, maybe you can be one of the firsts to try this fast food chain.
Al-baik Restaurant Taman Lembah Keramat
Address: 7, Jalan AU 5C/7, Taman Lembah Keramat, 54200 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11am – 10pm (Daily)
Food Status: Muslim Owned
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