Classic cans, bold new bites

The Star

30-05-2025

Ayam Brand reimagines sardines and mackerel for 'Makan Lain Macam' campaign.
TRENDS may come and go, but some flavours stay timeless. For over 130 years, Ayam Brand sardines and mackerel have been a staple in Malaysian kitchens.
While we always love familiar favourites like mackerel curry and sardine sambal, there's so much more you can do with a can.
Beyond opening up a world of flavour and fun in the kitchen, Ayam Brand sardines and mackerel also pack a powerful nutritional punch that often goes unnoticed.
According to a study titled Comparison of nutritional composition, chemical preservative, and glutamic acid content of canned food with freshly cooked and home-cooked food products published in 2021, Ayam Brand sardines can have up to seven times more Omega-3 than freshly cooked fish 1.
Ayam Brand sardines and mackerels are also sustainably caught from cold seas and are naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA 2, 3.
These two types of 'healthy fats', in which the body does not naturally produce, are said to support key organs.
Ayam Brand marketing head Teoh Wei Ling said Malaysians have always had a soft spot for the brand's sardines and mackerels.
'They have long been a familiar favourite across generations. It's comfort food that reminds you of home, of family, and of simpler times.
'Through Makan Lain Macam, we want to inspire Malaysians to have fun in the kitchen and see just how versatile these classics can be.
'While dishes like mackerel curry, sardine sambal or even roti sardine gulung will always have a place at the table, there's also something exciting about trying something different or new, knowing it's still packed with nutritious goodness,' she added.
With just a can or two, Ayam Brand makes it easy to whip up dishes that feel familiar, taste refreshingly new, full of flavour and endless possibilities. Here are some must-try recipes:
Sardine mac and cheese balls
Think crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, sardine mac and cheese balls combines cheesy macaroni, melty cheese, and mashed sardines into bite-sized delights.
Ingredients 1 can Ayam Brand Sardines in Tomato Sauce
1 cup macaroni, cooked
3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
1 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
11/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons chopped spring onions
2 to 3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 eggs, beaten
11/3 cups breadcrumbs
Instructions
In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour, garlic powder and salt. Stir until well combined. Slowly pour the milk in while continuously whisking until the mixture thickens.
Stir in both cheeses and the sriracha sauce. Continue to cook and stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
Stir in the Ayam Brand Sardines in Tomato Sauce and cook for a few minutes until heated through, ensuring they're evenly mixed into the sauce.
Add the cooked macaroni to the cheese mixture and stir well. Transfer to a container and chill in the fridge for one hour to firm it up. Once chilled, scoop and shape the mixture into bite-sized balls. Freeze them for 30 minutes.
Dip each ball into beaten egg and coat them with breadcrumbs. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Air-fry the balls for 10–12 minutes or until golden and crispy. Serve them hot and enjoy.
Mackerel Masak Merah with butter rice
Spicy and rich, mackerel Masak Merah is a bold twist on a Malaysian classic that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients 1 can Ayam Brand Mackerel in Tomato Sauce
1 pack Ayam Brand Spicy Tomato Paste
salt and sugar
6 cups rice
125g butter
1 1/2 cups fresh milk
water
coriander leaves
1 large onion
4 to 5 cloves garlic
2 to 3 cm ginger
1 stalk lemongrass, crushed
1 to 2 pandan leaves
Instructions
To prepare the butter rice, blend the onion, garlic, ginger, and pandan leaves into a fine paste, and saute the mix. In a wok, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the ground paste and pounded lemongrass, stir-frying until it's aromatic.
Add washed and drained rice to the wok and stir it around for one to two minutes, ensuring it's well coated with the earlier paste. Pour in the fresh milk, stir to combine, and remove from heat.
Transfer the rice mixture to the rice cooker. Add water (according to the required rice-to-water ratio) and season with salt to taste.
To prepare the mackerel Masak Merah, heat some oil in a pan and saute Ayam Brand Spicy Tomato Paste until fragrant.
Add the Ayam Brand Mackerel in Tomato Sauce and stir them together. Season it with salt to taste and serve hot with butter rice.
'Makan Lain Macam' isn't about reinventing the wheel, but reimagining the meals we already know and love, and having fun while making it.
Ayam Brand's sardine and mackerel are available in four sizes (155g, 230g, 300g, 425g). For a limited time only, it is offering a buy-two-sardines or Mackerels (425g) and get-one-free Ayam Brand Fried Chilli Mackerel (155g), available at selected stores.
Check out the full range of easy, fusion-friendly recipes at www.ayambrand.com.my/recipes.
Follow @ayambrandmy on Instagram and Ayam Brand Malaysia on Facebook for fresh ideas, cooking tips, and more.
References
1. Muhammad Ezzudin, et al. (2021) Comparison Of Nutritional Composition, Chemical Preservatives, And Glutamic Acid Content Of Canned Food With Freshly Cooked And Home-Cooked Food Products
2. Li, Jian-Jun, et al. (2022) Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Prevention and Treatment of
Cardiovascular Diseases: A Consensus Statement from the Experts' Committee of National Society of Cardiometabolic Medicine .
3. BDA (2025) Omega-3. BDA: The Association of UK Dieticians