Every year, as August rolls around, Malaysians come together to celebrate Merdeka—and with it, a deep love for our food, our roots, and the stories that bring us together.
For F&B operators, it’s the perfect moment to add a little something special to the menu. Whether you run a casual eatery, a modern café, or a family-style restaurant, a heritage-inspired Merdeka menu can spark excitement, draw in loyal customers, and remind everyone of the flavours they grew up with.
If you’re thinking about how to start, here are a few special Merdeka menu ideas to help you create a celebration that’s meaningful, memorable—and, of course, mouth-watering…
Let’s start with a true crowd-pleaser—Nasi Ambeng, a hearty, shareable dish packed with flavour and nostalgia. It’s got everything from ayam masak kicap to sambal goreng and bergedel, all beautifully laid out on one big platter.
If there’s one dish that truly shows Malaysia’s diversity, it’s laksa. Penang Asam Laksa, Laksa Utara, Laksam—each one tells a different story.
Simple. Nostalgic. Comforting. A kampung-style bento box is perfect for office workers, grab-and-go customers, or weekday lunch sets. Think ikan goreng kunyit, ulam, sambal belacan and a piece of kuih to finish.
Everyone loves satay. But how about turning it into a fun-sized appetiser? Serve them in mini skewers—easy to snack on, perfect for sharing.
Complete the Merdeka experience with a few nostalgic drinks and desserts. Think sirap bandung float, air jagung, sago gula Melaka, and layered kuih.
Want to make it even more exciting? Turn your Merdeka menu into a campaign:
A successful menu isn’t just about ideas—it’s about getting the taste, prep time, and consistency right. That’s where Ajinomoto comes in.
With trusted seasoning solutions like AJI-NO-MOTO®, TUMIX®, and AJI-SHIO®, you’ll be able to serve flavour-packed dishes your customers will remember—without adding stress to your kitchen workflow.
So this Merdeka, let’s serve up more than just food. Let’s serve heritage. Let’s serve unity. And let’s keep growing, together.
Ajinomoto Food Biz Partner
