Kantin Lab Takes Authentic Southeast Asian Flavours to the Global Snack Market

Malaysian snack brand Kantin Lab wants to change what a "flavored chip" tastes like on the global shelf.

Speaking to FoodNavigator-Asia at the FHA-Food & Beverage Trade Show in Singapore, co-founder Vincent Low said the brand was built specifically to counter the dominance of Western-style snack flavors that have defined the category for decades.

"Coming from Southeast Asia, we feel it's important to highlight ingredients like lemongrass, lime, and curry leaves, in our products. The goal is to proudly bring South East Asian flavors to the global market," Low said.

Kantin Lab's signature product is a Nasi Lemak-flavored potato chip coated in Sambal chilli and mixed with whole anchovies and peanuts, designed to replicate the full Nasi Lemak eating experience rather than just approximate its taste. Its bestselling salted egg chips similarly include whole curry leaves in each pack. Low believes Kantin Lab is among the first snack brands in the region to build whole regional ingredients directly into packaged potato chips, rather than relying on powdered seasoning alone.

Kantin Lab has also partnered with a local burger chain on a cheeseburger-flavored chip, part of a broader strategy of collaborating with domestic F&B businesses.

Riding a regional flavor wave

Low pointed to the regional success of brands like Irvins and The Golden Duck as evidence that consumer appetite for Eastern flavors and homegrown brands is growing.

Kantin Lab has recently entered the Indonesian retail supermarket market, with plans to expand further across Southeast Asia before moving into Western markets, including Europe.