East vs West – And champion of the hottest snacks is…

LET’S set something straight – indulging in a bag of crisps now and then is the ultimate guilty pleasure for just about everybody.

It may not matter how much of a health freak you are, the idea of savouring the crunchy umami taste tops any kind of snacking experience.

Growing up culturally with a penchant for food that packs a punch, we put two party treats to the test. Which spicy serving will win in an age-old dichotomy of East versus West?

On the right corner: Papadum preach (East)

Say what you want about the tasty lentil crisp, aka papadum, it is hard to resist as an accompaniment to a meal (or even on its own). Especially when there are three bags of various flavours on the table.

Homegrown brand Doubly Delicious (D&D’s) offers a chance for foodies to appreciate the beloved snack in more experimental ways.

Halal-certified by Jakim, the D&D’s papadum crisps is handmade to perfection and fuses traditional Indian snacks with Chinese flavours.

Malaysian culture is notorious for its spicy dishes. If your physiology is built for spicy food, reach for the Sichuan Spicy Mala to awaken your taste buds.

But do not think that you are too cool for the heat just yet, even if you are already accustomed to it.

Every bite of the crisp will ignite a fiery sensation that will leave you insisting on more, even if you have a glass of cold water ready on the side. 

You will be prompted to reach for the humble-looking crisps with peppercorn tinge over and over until you reach the bottom of the packet.

It is this specific flavour that brought together two long-time friends the idea to start their snack business after dinner at a Si Chuan Mala Hotpot establishment.

Aside from the punchy flavours, the D&D’s papadum crisps' texture has a bit of a bite to it giving you a dense crunch.

If you are not a big fan of spicy food, fret not – there are two other flavour options. Choose the taste you prefer between the Thai Tom Yum, Salted Egg and Sichuan Spicy Mala as your next party favour.

On the left corner: Tantalising tortillas (West)

Made from corn flour, tortilla crisps are usually eaten with either salsa or guacamole (avocado with lime) dip.

It is the go-to party snack in most western households during gatherings. Here in Malaysia, it can usually be sampled at Tex Mex restaurants or bought in the supermarket as tidbits.

Making things more convenient for lovers of the treat, El Sabroso flavoured tortilla chips offer a variety of seasoned crisps with less fuss. You do not need to whip up a dip to enjoy it.

For this article, we reviewed the Original Salsitas Spicy Salsa option to see if it would be able to win over the savoury palate of local foodies.

Quite frankly, the aroma of the chips was pungent due to the intensity of spice seasonings. For those who are not accustomed to spices' scents, it may be off-putting at first.

That said, you will be able to enjoy the tortilla crisps with ease as the prominence of the tangy flavour comes from hints of paprika and cayenne pepper. 

This would be a more suitable option for non-spicy eaters as the flavour profile is predominantly sour than spicy despite the snack’s name. Hence, it would be less satisfactory for those who are looking to appease a fierier appetite.

The size of the rounds (which the brand named as) is double the size compared to D&D’s papadum crisps so you will get a more fulfilling bite. The texture is also lighter and easier to munch through as it breaks harmoniously in your mouth.

Verdict

When it comes to providing crunchy satisfaction, the papadum (lentil) crisp takes the trophy. 

Although the texture is thicker than how it is usually prepared (light-as-air) at your local mamak, D&D’s Sichuan Spicy Mala crisps have just the right amount of heat. It's a convenient snack to go with any activity – whether watching a movie, chilling out over a cup of tea, reading a book etc. 

Its addictive nature makes it an easy favourite light snack. The only improvement would be for the portion to be increased to match the sizable packaging for a more value-added experience.

Foodie tip: 

If you want your serving of the crisps to be more gastronomic, you can try and crumble it via a food processor and turn it into the coating or breading for fried foods. This gives snack lovers more opportunities to customise their experiences for any occasion. – The Vibes, March 12, 2021