By June Ramli
Kuala Lumpur, Sept 26: Malaysian entrepreneur, Ben Kuan, recently opened Kawkki Korean Flaming Chicken, a venture that fuses the rich flavors of Korean cuisine with a Malaysian twist.
As Malaysians eagerly await the restaurant’s offerings, let’s take a closer look at the story behind Kawkki and its ambitious plans for the future.
Kuan has always been passionate about exploring different cultures through their cuisine.
Inspired by the global phenomenon of K-Pop, he recognized that Korean culture extends beyond music and entertainment; it includes the culinary world as well.
In pursuit of his passion, Kuan embarked on an in-depth study of Korean trends, culture, and food.
During his trip to Korea, Kuan discovered the fiery and delicious Korean chicken recipe that would become the cornerstone of Kawkki.
This culinary gem was a sensation in Korea, and he saw the potential to introduce it to Malaysian food enthusiasts.
Why did Kuan believe that the Korean chicken recipe would be a hit in Malaysia?
Several factors came into play.
Firstly, there is a high demand for all things Korean in Malaysia, driven by the country’s fascination with K-Pop and Korean culture.
However, he noticed a gap in the market, particularly for Korean-style chicken dishes.
Kawkki Korean Flaming Chicken was born to fill this void, offering Malaysians new and exciting ways to enjoy chicken.
Furthermore, Malaysia’s evolving food scene has seen a growing interest in international food trends and global flavors.
Malaysians are becoming more adventurous with their food choices, making it the perfect time to introduce Korean-inspired dishes.
Malaysia’s cultural diversity is reflected in its culinary landscape.
People in Malaysia are open to trying a wide range of international cuisines, making it an ideal market for Kawkki’s innovative fusion dishes.
Not content with merely replicating the Korean chicken recipe, Kawkki adds its creative twist to appeal to local tastes.
The name ‘Kawkki’ holds a special meaning.
It is derived from Chinese characters and represents various parts of the chicken.
‘K’ represents the Chicken Head, ‘A’ symbolizes the Chicken Breast, ‘W’ represents Chicken Wings, ‘K’ and another ‘K’ stand for Chicken Feet, and ‘I’ symbolizes Padi & Rice. Collectively, ‘Kawkki’ translates to ‘roasted chicken,’ capturing the essence of the restaurant’s offerings.
Instead of opting for a city location, Kuan decided to set up Kawkki in IOI Puchong.
The decision was influenced by Puchong’s substantial population, which recorded 400,000 in 2016.
IOI Puchong is a bustling mall, offering a promising start for the restaurant.
Kuan has plans to expand further, targeting the Kuala Lumpur City area and Selangor for future outlets.
For those eager to savor Kawkki’s delectable offerings but prefer takeout, good news is on the way. Takeaway options will be available soon, ensuring that you can enjoy the flavors of Kawkki from the comfort of your own home.
In light of Economic Minister Razifi Ramli’s recent statement urging Malaysians to cut down on eating out due to cost-of-living pressures, Kuan offers a different perspective.
He points out that the food and beverage industry was one of the few sectors that thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Post-MCO (Movement Control Order), people are eager to reconnect with friends and family by dining out and exploring new culinary experiences.
Kuan acknowledges the importance of maintaining quality and service to retain diners.
In a gesture of fairness to customers, Kawkki has priced it’s menu affordably for mall shoppers.
Kuan firmly believes that Kawkki’s value and quality will remain sustainable and looks forward to welcoming returning clients.
As Kawkki Korean Flaming Chicken takes its place in the vibrant Malaysian food scene, it promises to deliver a unique fusion of Korean and Malaysian flavors that will leave diners craving for more.
Stay tuned for the exciting journey ahead as Kawkki continues to delight palates in IOI Puchong and beyond.
June Ramli is the editor of DailyStraits.com. To stay in touch with June, look her up on Twitter @junesairaramli