Aeroplane meals are often seen as a convenient option, despite their higher cost, especially when your stomach is rumbling mid-flight. They generally come with a reputation for tasting quite good.
However, a tourist from Shanghai, China, recently had a less-than-pleasant experience with an in-flight meal on her journey from Bali, Indonesia, back to China. She expressed her disappointment on the Xiao Hong Shu platform, labelling the meal as "an absurd airline meal."
Photo via Xiao Hong Shu (毛毛的小可爱)
The price, which was RM22, wasn't her primary concern. Instead, what bothered her was the vast gap between the enticing image of the Nasi Lemak she had seen and the reality she encountered. The meal she received looked nothing like the appealing picture used for illustration purposes.
Adding to her disappointment, the taste of the meal didn't live up to her expectations. She voiced her displeasure, saying, "The food didn't resemble the picture at all. It tasted bad, the Sambal was difficult to eat, and the curry was excessively seasoned."
During her layover at a Malaysian airport, she decided to try a hamburger priced at RM28 and was pleasantly surprised to find it more satisfying than the Nasi Lemak she had on the flight.
Photo via Xiao Hong Shu (毛毛的小可爱)
In response, some netizens defended the Nasi Lemak, suggesting that it wasn't as terrible as she had described.
"This is my favourite in-flight meal."
"Foreigners might not be accustomed to the taste, but for us locals, it's never enough."
"I guess it didn't suit your taste buds. We locals love it."
While food holds a special place in uniting Malaysians, the tourist's right to express her food-related feelings as a consumer should also be acknowledged.
The spirited discussion around the meal highlights the passion Malaysians have for their culinary delights, ready to stand up for their beloved flavours.
