Interview With CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd * Product Samples From CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd * Product Samples From CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd (2) * Mi E-Zee Perisa Kari * J.J. Snek Mi Perisa BBQ * E-mi Mi Perencah Asam Pedas * CarJEN Nyonya Curry Laksa * J.J. Snek Mi Perisa Ayam * Friday Video: CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd Spotlight * Mi E-Zee Plain Noodles Mee Goreng * Mi E-Zee Perisa Bayam * E-mi Mi Perencah Ayam Jagung * Mi E-Zee Perisa Kari Sayuran * Mi E-Zee Perisa Sayuran
Today, we start a new Meet The Manufacturer. This time, it’s with a Malaysian company called CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd. I conducted an interview with Mr. Sukumaran Nair, CEO of CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd. Hope you enjoy it!
THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you very much for agreeing to do this interview! Could we start off with some information about CarJEN; when was CarJEN founded, where and by who?
CARJEN> Carjen Food Sdn Bhd was founded in 1997 and has now grown into a well-established and dynamic organization that specializes in the manufacture of top quality flavoured snack crackers, flavoured instant noodles, plain instant noodles and noodles snacks. Our principal office is located in Cheng Industrial Estate, Melaka. The directors include Mr. Sukumaran, Mr. Gilbert Tam, Mr. Fred Essey and Mr. Johnny Essey (70% Australian owned and 30% Malaysian owned.
TRR> For those of my readers who are not familiar with your line of products, could you tell us a little about them?
CARJEN> Carjen Food manufactures snack crackers with flavours of prawn, chicken, green peas, cheese and pizza. As for instant noodles the flavours are curry, chicken, asam pedas, vegetarian, beef, spinach and vegetarian curry.
TRR> Can you tell us – what does the name CarJEN mean?
CARJEN> Carjen was coined from the names of the wives of the founders, Carrol and Jenny.
TRR> Can you tell us about the differences and features of your Nyonya variety?
CARJEN> This product is named Nyonya Curry Laksa, simply because it has been popularised and made by the Peranakan Nyonyas over the years. The knowledge of Nyonya cooking has been passed down from generation to generation in Malaysia. Though the name Nyonya is
specifically attributed to a unique culture here in Malaysia, the taste is well received and
accepted by all Malaysians especially the Malays because the freshly prepared spices and
herbs in the dipping sauce; such as Seroi (lemongrass), Belocan, asam (tamarind), dried
chillies and coconut cream, to name a few of the ingredients; are already traditionally used
in Malay cooking. This is due to the close ties shared by the Peranakan Nyonya and the
Malays from centuries ago, in which the Nyonyas have infused the noodles with dipping
sauce containing sauce, herbs and spices used in traditional Malay cooking.
TRR> Can you tell my readers what Nyonya cuisine is?
CARJEN> Peranakan Chinese and Baba-Nyonya are terms used for the descendants of the 15th through 17th-century Chinese immigrants to the Indonesian Archipelago and British Malaya. Most have lived for generations along the straits of Malacca and most have a lineage where
intermarriage with the local Indonesians and Malays. In Malacca, they are known as Baba-Nyonya, it has been assimilated to the Malay culture and customs, including their typical rich Malay spices in their food preparation.
TRR> You not only make regular instant noodles that are cooked, but a line of snack noodles –can you tell my readers about them?
CARJEN>: Our J.J. Noodle Snack is excellent in quality, crunchy and crispy and also trans-fat free. They may be enjoyed by everyone at any time of their convenience. It can be eaten on its own without any cooking.
TRR> Is CarJEN involved in the local community around you?
CARJEN> Yes, we participate in roadshows across the nation
in Malaysia(see attachment).
TRR> Why do you think noodles are such a popular food?
CARJEN> Noodles can be cooked in several forms such as fried, soup, with sauces, etc. It goes well with all kinds of meat, vegetables.
TRR> You are located in Melaka, Malaysia. Can you tell us a little about where you factory is and life there?
CARJEN> Carjen Food is located in Cheng Industrial Estate, Melaka, Malaysia. It is a mix of residential area and factories.
TRR> Are there any new products that will be coming out soon that you could tell us about?
CARJEN> Yes, they are in the process of being finalized and will keep you informed when ready for the market.
TRR> A lot of people wonder about the health factors (sodium, etc) when it comes to instant noodles. How do you recommend people made instant noodles a healthy part of their diet?
CARJEN> Our CarJEN Nyonya Curry Laksa has no added MSG and the UPS is high in fibre, zero trans fatty acid, cholesterol free and has vitamin E of 4.5mg.
TRR> Do you make/sell products other than noodles?
CARJEN> Yes, we manufacture and sell snack cracker, noodle snacks.
TRR> What was your first product?
CARJEN> Crackers.
TRR> How does the process in which you make your noodles differ from other brands?
CARJEN> The process is standard and normal practice by all noodle manufactures but Carjen Food uses premium flour ingredients and the first to use micro ingredients that adds value in terms of texture and keeping quality.
TRR> Where are your products available?
CARJEN> Carjen Food products are available in Malaysia, Middle East and recently in China, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
TRR> When you make noodles for yourself, do you add anything or have any recommendations?
CARJEN> We have serving suggestions where we encourage consumers to add additional garnishing.
TRR> How many cups/bowls/packs do you produce in a year?
CARJEN> 343,511 cartons.
TRR> Are there popular recipes locals have come up with for your noodles?
CARJEN> Carjen Food has developed and have been marketing a new product called “Nyonya Curry Laksa” which is traditional, authentic and local product which is popular in the state of Melaka, Malaysia.
TRR> Are certain products enjoyed on particular holidays?
CARJEN> Nyonya Curry Laksa is popular during the holidays period mainly among tourists.
TRR> Have there been any flavors you’ve thought of producing
that never made it to market?
CARJEN> Yes.
THE RAMEN RATER> Thank you for this opportunity for myself and my readers to learn more about your company!
Well, there we have it! Thanks to Mr. Sukumaran Nair, CEO of CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd, and everyone else at CarJEN Food Sdn BHD for making this Meet The Manufacturer happen.
Interview With CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd * Product Samples From CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd * Product Samples From CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd (2) * Mi E-Zee Perisa Kari * J.J. Snek Mi Perisa BBQ * E-mi Mi Perencah Asam Pedas * CarJEN Nyonya Curry Laksa * J.J. Snek Mi Perisa Ayam * Friday Video: CarJEN Food Sdn Bhd Spotlight * Mi E-Zee Plain Noodles Mee Goreng * Mi E-Zee Perisa Bayam * E-mi Mi Perencah Ayam Jagung * Mi E-Zee Perisa Kari Sayuran * Mi E-Zee Perisa Sayuran
