SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THESE INSTANT MEALS
While viral picks like Samyang Ramen from Korea and Malaysia’s beloved Maggi noodles have been fan-favourites for years, you start getting bored of the same flavours after a while — plus, eating food packed with MSG every day isn’t the healthiest option. That’s why it’s time to explore a whole new world of instant meals made by local brands.
Not only are these meals delicious and filling, but they’re also more affordable than that RM25 Samyang pack — and you get more than just noodles in a packet! Here’s a list of instant meals you can get in Malaysia that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, while also saving your cooking time.
1. MEET MEE CHILLI PAN MEE
Image source: @didapuryana
Okay, I might be biased… but this is hands-down my personal favourite. Pan mee restaurants are everywhere in KL, but halal pan mee? That’s a rare gem. Most non-pork versions go for over RM10 — and that’s not ideal when you’re budgeting.
Meet Mee’s Chilli Pan Mee sits comfortably under RM10, and there are often sales on their online stores where you can bulk-buy for even less. It even made it into the Malaysia Book of Records for selling over 42,601 packets in one hour. Impressive, right?
This isn’t your basic noodle pack — it comes with noodles, soy sauce, chilli oil, chilli flakes, and fried anchovies. Crack an egg in, and boom — gourmet vibes, right from your kitchen. You can find it in stores, but honestly, just buy it online and save yourself the traffic and parking stress. They also have other flavours like Tom Yum Soup, Kam Heong, and Anchovy Broth Soup if you’re feeling adventurous.
Retail Price: RM5.90 per packet
Buy it: Meet Mee Official Store or on Shopee
2. ARWAAFOOD MEE KARI OPAH
Image source: Arwaafood.hq
Not a fan of Chinese cuisine? No problem — here’s a classic Malay dish in a packet. Sure, it might not beat grandma’s curry that’s simmered for hours, but it’s a solid alternative.
You can adjust the spiciness and richness of the broth based on how you cook it. For spicy lovers like me, just use less water than the instructions suggest — easy fix. The cooking process is simple: boil everything on the stovetop, mix it all together, and you’re done.
Now, this isn’t the full mee kari experience — no clams or tofu puffs here — but that’s the trade-off for a sub-RM10 instant meal. You do get chilli paste, coconut milk powder, and hand-pulled dried noodles instead of regular yellow ones. Bonus: it includes dates, raisins, and saffron, which makes it a healthier choice compared to most instant options out there.
Retail Price: RM6 per packet
Buy it: Shopee
3. DENDENG NYET BERAPI
Image source: @flawa.production
If you haven’t heard of Khairul Aming, are you even on TikTok? This Kelantanese home cook went viral for his 30 Days, 30 Recipes for Ramadan series — and he’s since turned his online fame into a thriving food business. One of his biggest hits? Dendeng Nyet Berapi.
Daging dendeng is a spicy, savoury beef dish from Minangkabau, Indonesia — but our Malaysian version is softer, juicier, and melts in your mouth (I’m literally salivating just thinking about it). Traditionally, this dish takes close to an hour to prep. But with Khairul Aming’s version? Just reheat and serve with rice. No fuss, no sweat.
It’s a bit pricier than the others on this list, but you’re paying for quality and flavour. Whether you enjoy it as a side or the main event, it’s worth every ringgit — especially when cravings hit and you just can’t cook.
Retail Price: RM15 per packet
Buy it: Shopee
FINAL TAKE ON INSTANT MEALS
Instant meals don’t have to mean boring flavours or MSG overload. From spicy pan mee to creamy mee kari and rich dendeng, Malaysia has tons of tasty options that are fast, affordable, and super satisfying. So if you’re short on time (or just don’t vibe with cooking), these instant meals will definitely save your day — and your wallet.
Looking for more local food recommendations? Check out our guide on Must-Try Food and Beverage in Seremban.
