Ocado is looking to add 80 new Malaysian food and drink products to its range before the end of the year as it seeks to tap Brits’ growing interest in Malaysian cuisine.

The online retailer has been selling about 70 Malaysian lines through a dedicated Malaysian Kitchen section since late August, including instant noodles, curry pastes, sauces, seasonings and condiments such as crispy prawn chilli.

The new lines it plans to add will include Happy Grass fruit bean curd puddings, Rasaku curry mixes and Kampong sauces.

Ocado’s desire to list more Malaysian fare comes as Malaysian food is gaining in profile in the UK. Earlier this year, BBC One’s Masterchef cooking competition was won by Malaysian-born Catherine Chin Wan Ping, whose winning recipes included Malaysia’s national dish, nasi lemak.

“We’re really excited to offer Ocado customers authentic Malaysian ingredients as part of their weekly shop,” said Ocado international buyer Artur Lezny. “Aspiring cooks across Britain can recreate dishes from their favourite cuisine at the touch of a button, without having to leave home.”

Dr Wong Lai Sum, CEO of Malaysian trade board Matrade, said UK retailers were increasingly interested in Malaysian fare, particularly convenience products such as sauces and pastes. “Malaysian cuisine is an undiscovered treasure in many ways, but there are so many ready-to-cook products now, which make it very easy for consumers to prepare authentic Malaysian dishes. We really think Malaysian food’s time has come in the UK.”

Topics