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The first time you hold a Rice Dumpling, or Zongzi, there is a brief pause. It is tightly wrapped in bamboo leaves, tied with string, sealed at every angle. There is no visible filling and no obvious starting point. For a moment, you are not entirely sure how to approach it. Also known as a Chinese glutinous rice dumpling traditionally eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival, Zongzi appears simple from the outside. Then you unwrap it. Steam escapes. The rice is compact and glossy, faintly sweet from the leaf and carrying the sheen of melted pork fat. You are not tasting. You are hunting for the gold. Pork belly appears first, dark and collapsing at the edges, its fat already melting into the surrounding grains. Mushroom follows, soaked in soy and deep with savoury notes. The rice clings together between your chopsticks, warm and steady. But the salted egg yolk is still hidden. Image via  @ WokStreetChina You ease the bundle open just enough to see inside. And there it is. Golden. Den...

Indonesian jamu brand Acaraki has introduced a new jamu capsule range , offering traditional herbal formulations in a modern, portable format. Variants Turmeric Shades of Gold (turmeric + temulawak + ginger) All About Ginger (Indonesian ginger blend) The capsule format shifts jamu from brewed beverage to a measured daily supplement format, positioned for convenience and mobility. Availability Available at Acaraki stores (Indonesia) Online via official marketplace channels (e.g., Shopee Indonesia, subject to seller listing) No additional medical claims have been announced beyond traditional ingredient positioning. This marks Acaraki’s continued expansion of jamu into modern consumption formats, following its café-style preparation concepts. [ English Version | 中文版本 ] Reference: Acaraki Jamu

English Version | 中文版本 7-Eleven Philippines adds new heat-and-eat options to its Chef Creations lineup with the launch of Oriental Plates , now available at participating stores. The range includes Beef Broccoli and Sweet and Sour Fish , both designed as quick, familiar meal solutions for lunch or dinner. The launch continues 7-Eleven PH’s expansion beyond snacks, targeting everyday meal occasions with affordable, ready-to-serve dishes. Released under Chef Creations x LEP , the line focuses on mass availability and repeat-friendly flavors rather than limited-edition positioning. The strategy emphasizes convenience, accessibility, and routine consumption , positioning the plates as a simple alternative to dining out. Available now at selected 7-Eleven Philippines outlets. English Version  |  中文版本 Resource: 7-Eleven

English Version | 中文版本 Garudafood has launched Chocolatos Rich Dubai Chocolate , expanding its Chocolatos wafer roll range with a flavour inspired by the widely shared Dubai-style pistachio chocolate trend. This is a trend-translation product, not a luxury import. The new variant keeps the familiar wafer roll structure, coated in chocolate and filled with pistachio-flavoured cream, allowing the brand to reference a premium dessert trend while staying firmly in the mass-market snack category. Crunch remains the core experience. By using the wafer roll format, Garudafood prioritises texture and snackability, with pistachio chocolate positioned as a flavour upgrade rather than a format shift. “66% cream” works as a richness signal. The cream content claim reinforces indulgence without reframing the product as artisanal or limited-edition, aligning with everyday retail expectations. The launch reflects how viral dessert cues are being absorbed into mainstream FMCG. Instead of storyte...

English Version | 中文版本 Vitmaker has launched Skinnie Pops high protein popcorn in Indonesia, entering the high protein snack market and expanding its functional food portfolio . Skinnie Pops is positioned as a protein popcorn snack designed for consumers seeking high protein snacks with controlled calories. Skinnie Pops high protein popcorn is formulated with added whey powder , making it a protein enriched popcorn product . Each pack of Skinnie Pops contains 11 grams of protein , with 120 calories per 30 gram serving , positioning it within the low calorie high protein snack segment. The product targets consumers looking for protein snacks , fitness snacks , and everyday high protein foods . The popcorn is marketed as gluten free popcorn and non GMO popcorn , supporting demand for clean label snacks , better for you snacks , and health oriented snack products . Skinnie Pops high protein popcorn is available in American Barbeque , Salted Egg , and Seaweed flavours, offering pro...

English Version | 中文版本 CHAGEE has introduced a set of regional New Year tea offerings across Southeast Asia, aligning citrus-forward flavour profiles with seasonal demand and festive traffic cycles . In Malaysia, the brand launched Yuzu Tie Guan Yin Tea , available from late January 2026. The drink combines floral Tie Guan Yin tea with yuzu , positioned as a limited-time Chinese New Year menu item . Campaign visuals and in-app promotions emphasise brightness, freshness, and sharing cues , with availability across CHAGEE Malaysia outlets nationwide . In Indonesia, CHAGEE introduced a Lemon Tea Series , featuring multiple variants built on jasmine green tea and Da Hong Pao tea bases . The lineup highlights a lighter, citrus-driven profile , promoted through official CHAGEE Indonesia social channels as a seasonal refresh rather than a permanent menu expansion . The “camellia” reference appearing in New Year communications aligns with CHAGEE’s existing Camellia Oolong product family , w...

English | 中文 Starbucks has reopened its first-ever store in Indonesia at Plaza Indonesia following a full redesign, marking a renewed chapter for the brand’s original Jakarta location. The store, now operating as Starbucks Reserve Plaza Indonesia , originally opened on 17 May 2002 . It has been relocated to the mall’s basement level as part of Plaza Indonesia’s tenant reconfiguration, with the move used as an opportunity to reimagine the space rather than recreate the original layout . The redesigned outlet spans approximately 311 square metres and accommodates up to 101 guests . It operates daily from 8am to 10pm . The interior draws on Starbucks’ long-standing relationship with Indonesian coffee, particularly Sumatra , reflected through warm wood tones, earthy colours, and material references inspired by coffee-growing landscapes . The reopening was marked by a Pour Over Ceremony , highlighting manual brewing and coffee craft . According to the brand, the location is positio...

English | 中文 Gong Cha Vietnam has introduced the QUÝT YO Series , a limited-time seasonal beverage range built around tangerine-forward flavours and a yogurt popping texture . The series rolled out nationwide from 12 January 2026 , aligning with early Lunar New Year season demand. The QUÝT YO lineup includes three variants : Tangerine Milk Tea Yogurt Pop Tangerine Tea Yogurt Pop Tangerine Yakult Yogurt Pop Each drink pairs bright citrus notes with either milk tea, brewed tea, or Yakult , finished with yogurt popping pearls that add a light, playful mouthfeel rather than a heavy dessert profile. The series is available at Gong Cha outlets across Vietnam , with GrabFood delivery supported from launch , followed by additional delivery platforms from 14 January 2026 , extending accessibility beyond in-store purchases. English | 中文 Reference: Gong Cha

English | 中文 Indofood Taburi is a powdered seasoning line introduced by Indofood , positioned as an everyday Bumbu Tabur for home meals and snacks. The product is designed for sprinkling at the final step , rather than cooking during preparation. It is intended for common foods such as fries, eggs, rice, noodles, and other simple dishes where flavour can be added instantly. The range includes multiple savoury flavour options , including Balado , Cheese , BBQ , Corn , and Spicy , covering both locally familiar and broadly accessible taste profiles. Indofood Taburi sits between snack seasoning and table condiment, extending the brand’s presence in small, low-commitment flavour additions for everyday eating. English | 中文 Reference: Indofood  

English | 中文   Indomie has just dropped its latest Hype Abis variant: Mi Nyemek Ala Jogja Rasa Rendang , created in collaboration with Warmindo Bu Siti , one of Yogyakarta’s iconic street-style noodle vendors. These noodles are moist, richly spiced, and capture the slow-cooked depth of rendang along with the satisfying slurp of nyemek-style noodles - bringing a legendary street favourite straight to your table. The launch is more than flavour. It’s about ritual, texture, and memory : noodles soaking in fragrant, reddish broth, the balance of garlic, chili, and sweet-savory seasoning, and that comforting sensation that makes a simple bowl feel deliberate. Social media clips from micro-influencers show each forkful in motion, with comments like “Feels like Bu Siti’s warung in every bite” or “Finally, nyemek I can enjoy anytime.” The conversation thrives in niche foodie communities where authenticity matters more than viral trends. This release reflects a subtle shift in inst...

English | 中文   The year ends, and so does Indofood’s 2025 Pop Mie story — with a bang, or rather, a burn. Two new cup noodles have arrived: Grenade Meatballs and Lava Curry . Both promise the thrill of heat, a chew of meat, and broth that’s almost dangerously tasty. What stands out isn’t just the spice. It’s the way these noodles invite play in everyday meals. In Indonesia, instant noodles are rarely just a quick bite; they’re an experiment. Some swirl them with rice, others slice in extra toppings from the fridge. Spice isn’t an afterthought, it’s the main act — a measure of courage for lunch breaks, late-night snacks, or quick bites between errands. Pop Mie itself has been quietly evolving this year. The brand’s new “Lapeer Time” identity, along with packaging tweaks and a broader flavour portfolio, signals more than novelty — it’s a bid for emotional connection. Eating Pop Mie isn’t just convenience anymore; it’s ritual, an instant moment of comfort or bravado. Yet despi...

English | 中文 Jakarta’s dessert scene has always been vibrant, but few openings signal a shift in how the city experiences flavor . When Pierre Hermé Paris opened at Grand Hyatt Jakarta , it wasn’t about spectacle or selfies. It was about how people connect with craft, ritual, and taste , and how desserts can spark curiosity and conversation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grand Hyatt Jakarta (@grandhyattjakarta) Layers of Craft Hermé’s macarons are celebrated worldwide for precision. Each cookie is a delicate balance of texture, aroma, and flavor , where a single bite tells a story. Patrons notice this immediately. One young foodie remarked, “It’s not just sweet - each layer feels like a chapter.” Creators sharing on Instagram or TikTok focus on the colors, shapes, and floral scents , capturing an experience rather than a brand name. This approach resonates with urban diners who value intentional enjoyment over mass trends . Café culture in Ja...