Malaysian founder of noodle snack Mamee Monster dies at 92
Pang Chin Hin, the Malaysian founder of the company behind iconic dry noodle snack Mamee Monster, has died at the age of 92.
On Tuesday, Malaysian food manufacturer Mamee-Double Decker Group confirmed that Pang died on Nov. 5. The cause of his death is currently unknown.
Pang, who leaves behind a beloved brand that makes a pantry staple for consumers, was previously a secondhand car dealer before he founded Pacific Food, an instant noodle manufacturing company, in 1941. The company’s first products, which included Lucky Instant Noodle and Vermicelli, did not succeed.
In 1974, Pang’s son Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew noticed that rubber tappers would eat uncooked instant noodles straight from the package, inspiring their snack’s creation.
The family soon began selling noodles as dried snacks. The snacks were then named “Mamee,” which is derived from the word “mother.”
Today, the dry instant noodles are best known for their colorful packets, which are sold in various flavors ranging from barbecue to black pepper. The packaging also features a furry blue cartoon character, which consumers have now grown to associate with the brand.
“I came up with the noodle snack idea,” Tan reportedly said in an interview. “My father is a very savvy person, so he worked out a way to season the noodles, while I marketed the finished product, aiming it at kids. The Mamee name and the blue monster mascot were chosen because they are easy to remember.”
The company’s product range soon expanded to a variety of snacks and beverages, including Mister Potato chips, Double Decker crackers and Nutrigen yogurt drinks. The company was also rebrandedto “Mamee-Double Decker.” In March 1992, they were officially registered on the main board of the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.
Tan followed in his father’s footsteps and became the company’s director and chief executive officer. His brother, Datuk Seri Pang Tee Nam, is currently the board’s chief operating officer. Pang’s grandson Pierre also serves as the company’s executive director.
“Without [him] many of our childhoods would be very different,” Pierre told CNN Business. “He is truly a legend, we have our utmost respect for him, and we are grateful for what he has done and will now continue his legacy.”
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