I think we can all agree that Malaysia is the one place where the love for the king of fruits truly runs deep. After months of eagerly awaiting, durian season is here!
While you can always enjoy the fruit on its own or through traditional delicacies, here are some innovative durian creations that you may be interested in.
Whether you’re a seasoned durian connoisseur or a curious foodie, these 6 unexpected and unique durian dishes promise to redefine what it means to savour Malaysia’s much loved King of Fruits.
1. Bean Jr – Durian Tau Fu Fah
Offering Malaysia’s first Durian tau fu fah is Bean Jr. This innovative twist on the classic silky tofu pudding, combines the creamy richness of durian with the delicate texture of tau fu fah, creating a dessert that will soothe the soul.
While tau fu fah is usually a simple treat, adding durian elevates this traditional dish, giving it more texture, and a sharp creaminess that you can only get from durian.
Bean Jr has both Musang King and D24 varieties. They also add red beans and flour jelly. Would you eat tau fu fah with durian?
Bean Jr
Location: 6 Outlets
Food Status: Halal Certified
Image Credit: Jason Lau & Ter Shen Ng (Google reviews)
2. Papasan Canteen – Durian Carbonara
This next one might surprise you a little. Durian carbonara?! How do people come up with these things?
Papasan Canteen in Kuchai Lama is known for their innovative dishes and odd combinations. While their specialty is their Omu Curry Rice, customers also seem to really enjoy their unique take on the classic dish; carbonara. It looks similar to what you get when you order buttermilk pasta, a yellowish sauce that’s creamy but not too thick, served with a soft shell crab.
You would think that this dish would be too jelak with all the cream and the richness from the durian, making it difficult to finish. Also, durian and pasta just sounds like a crime, doesn’t it? Yet, customers have attested that it is in fact not too rich, blends well together, and actually tastes really good.
Some customers have even gone back and ordered the same thing. Slurp up this durian carbonara and let us know what you think.
Papasan Canteen
Address: 18-G, Jalan 2/114, Off, Jalan Kuchai Lama, Kuchai Business Centre, 58200 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm, Closed on Wednesdays
Food Status: No pork, no lard
Contact: 012-5800883
3. Fried Durian
Fried durian is not necessarily the most unique dish out there, but it is also not something you can get your hands on anytime you crave it. This humble stall in Puchong serves up some piping hot fried durian that is insanely crispy and filled with oozing, creamy durian.
If you’re anywhere nearby, the smell alone will take you right to it. Small spoonfuls of pure durian are coated in a light batter and tossed into the boiling oil. Biting into this is an explosion of durian.
So, if you’re looking for a durian-inspired tea snack, head to this stall.
Address: 25, Jalan Puteri 2/3, Bandar Puteri, 47100 Puchong, Selangor (In front of 小菜园 Little Farm)
Operating Hours: Open Daily, 10:30am – 7:30pm
Food Status: No pork, no alcohol
Image Credit: Flying Q & Yan Mei (Google reviews)
4. 煲你喜欢 Claypot Sifu Restaurant – Musang King Chicken Claypot
A trend that started in Guangzhou, China, has made its way to the heart of KL. Durian chicken hotpot. Yes, you read that right.
While a wide variety of chicken soup has been a staple in many Asian cultures, expanding this dish to include the King of Fruits is fairly new and experimental.
At Claypot Sifu, you will find a traditional hotpot experience that combines the bold flavours of durian with chicken and herbs. According to a review, it was “unexpectedly yummy” with a chicken broth that includes pure coconut water.
Chunks of durian flesh are added to the pot, adding a richness and a slight yellow tint. Expectedly, it also changes the aroma of the broth. Compared to your usual savoury broth, there is a hint of sweetness from the fruit, making the overall flavour profile quite umami and unique.
To your pot you can opt for add-ons like their mushroom platter or fresh oysters. They also have a self-service sauce bar that you can help yourself to for the ultimate flavour combos. Who knew durian and hotpot would taste this good?
煲你喜欢 Claypot Sifu Restaurant
Address: 53-1, Jalan Barat, off, Jln Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Open Daily, 11:00am – 3:00am
Food Status: Non-halal
Contact: 012-2884948
5. Kampung Dining – Special Durian Series
This authentic Nyonya restaurant in Section 17 is having a special durian series from the 12th of July till the 12th of October 2024. The chef is a 3rd generation Peranakan from Melaka, so you know the food is going to be good. Their special durian series will surprise you!
They have four unique durian infused dishes that will either rock your world or have you shaking your head in disapproval.
First up, they have a bold and creative Musang King Durian Pork Curry Nasi Lemak. It comes with a pork curry infused with durian, served with pork ribs and durian puree. Next, they have a durian Nyonya curry laksa. The broth is a durian, prawn, and coconut base, with chunks of durian flesh.
They also have a durian kopi KAW which coffee and durian lovers have to try. Finally, their take on a durian gula melaka cendol with 100% pure gula melaka and homemade cendol jelly.
How did they come up with such unique durian dishes? Beats me. Still, they’re definitely worth checking out.
Kampung Dining
Address: 11, Jalan 17/45, Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya
Operating Hours: 10:30am – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 9:30pm, Closed on Tuesdays
Food Status: Non-halal
Contact: 011-23101326
Image Credit: Yee Ting Ang & Zheng Yuan Jiang (Google Reviews)
6. DurianBB World – Affogato Mont Mao LAGI LAGI
This last spot is a one stop shop that will satisfy all your durian cravings. With 4.9 stars and nearly 1,700 Google reviews, this is a dessert shop that clearly knows how to make the King of Fruits shine. They even have a sign claiming to have the best Musang King ice cream on the planet.
Tucked in a busy street; Jalan Sultan in KL, DurianBB World has a wide variety of durian-inspired desserts. However, their Affogato Mont Mao LAGI LAGI deserves a little more attention.
Indulge in a mega sized cup of affogato made with Musang King soft serve, white chocolate, a shot of Italian espresso. And the best part? Premium Musang King durian puree. The soft and silky pure durian puree is grated directly in front of you onto your cup, using a handheld machine.
Why LAGI LAGI? The person grating the puree won’t stop until you tell them to. Pile your cup with as much durian puree as you want and dig into that affogato creamy goodness. This is a sweet treat you won’t find anywhere else.
Here, you can even order a durian platter to try 4 types of durian. Do you have a sweet tooth and an intense craving for durian desserts? If so, you have to check this place out.
From inventive durian-infused desserts to savoury delights that push culinary boundaries, these six spots will without a doubt spice up your durian season. They are unique creations that celebrate the King of Fruits in ways that defy tradition and challenge the senses.
As the season unfolds, seize the opportunity to try these six bold dishes, and discover firsthand why durian remains an enduring element in Malaysia’s culinary scene.
You should also check out: Getting the scoop on the ambitious chef of this new & weird ice cream bar at Ilham Tower, KL
