When it comes to Malaysian snacks, Mamee Monster Noodles are hard to beat.

This crispy, crunchy treat has been delighting children and adults for decades. With its iconic blue monster mascot and addictive flavor, Mamee has become a snack-time staple all over the world.

Today, the company that created it, known as Mamee-Double Decker is known for more than just noodles. But their journey started small—just like the bite-sized noodles they’re famous for.

Let’s dive into the story of how Mamee Monster Noodles grew into a global sensation.

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👀 Humble beginnings

In the 1970s, a man named Datuk Pang Chin Hin sold secondhand cars. But his friend convinced him to go into the instant noodle market–it was getting more popular!

So, he started the Pacific Food Products Company.

Their first product? The Lucky Instant Noodles and Vermicelli. He even sent his son, Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew, to work at an instant noodle factory in Japan.

But it was the fourth brand of instant noodles to hit the market, so it wasn’t received so well.

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🤯Learning to pivot

Instead of giving up, Chin Hin wanted to try something different.

On a trip to Melaka, Malaysia, he saw farm workers eating dry instant noodles straight from the pack.

Chin Hin wanted to make a ready-to-eat, dry snack version of noodles.

But he and his team didn’t have experience in food manufacturing. They had to work hard to perfect the noodles’  texture, and make the seasoning just right!

While he worked on the noodles, his son Pang Tee Chew started brainstorming on a mascot that would make their product stand out.

“I marketed the finished product, aiming it at kids. The Mamee name and the blue monster mascot were chosen because they are easy to remember,” he said.

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💪 Bumps in the road

Chin Hin and his team worked day and night, experimenting with different flavors and packaging.

Finally, in 1974, Mamee Monster Noodles was born. The crunchy noodle snack was an instant hit!

At first, the company struggled with distribution. Getting their product into stores and convincing retailers to stock their noodles was a challenge.

It wasn’t easy to break into the competitive snack market, but they persisted!

Mamee Monster Noodles became Malaysia’s best-selling snack from the 1980s onwards.

Slowly, as word spread, Mamee Monster Noodles started appearing on more and more shelves. Kids loved the snack, and soon, it became a favorite in households across Malaysia.

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🚀 Going global

As Mamee Monster Noodles gained popularity in Malaysia, the company wanted to grow more.

They changed their name to Mamee-Double Decker in 1992. And they launched new products, like Double Decker Crackers and Mister Potato.

Mister Potato is now the best-selling potato chips brand in Malaysia!

They started selling their neighboring countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Soon, Mamee Monster Noodles were being sold in supermarkets and stores across the world.

The snack’s unique flavor and crunchy texture became a global hit. With fun advertising campaigns and merchandise of their blue monster mascot, Mamee connected with audiences everywhere.

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💙 Here and now

Now, they make more than 50 different products that are exported to over 100 countries!

One of their most exciting products was the Mamee Daebak Ghost Pepper noodles. The noodles went viral on social media for being the spiciest instant noodles in Malaysia!

They’ve also tried making bubble-tea-flavored instant noodles. It was definitely a unique idea, but people were curious to try it out.

“Old TV commercials with the blue monster won’t have the same impact now,” said Pierre Pang, Chin Hin’s grandson. “Today’s consumers need to be engaged with brand experience, both digitally and physically.”

Mamee takes pride in being a nostalgic treat for Malaysians of all ages. But they’re always open to trying new things! “As a 52-year-old company, we’re not afraid of competition. It keeps us moving forward and finding new opportunities,” said Pierre.

The story of Mamee Monster Noodles teaches us that great ideas can come from anywhere!

It’s a reminder to take that leap of faith, even if the future seems unclear. With hard work and a bold idea, you never know how far your journey can take you.

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