Beginning 18 July, AirAsia, a Malaysian budget airline, in partnership with the Indonesian alternative protein start-up Green Rebel, brings a fresh twist to their regional inflight menus. The collaboration will introduce vegan and vegetarian versions of cherished Southeast Asian dishes on its Malaysia, Philippines, and later Indonesia routes.
Passengers on Malaysia routes can relish Pak Nasser’s plant-based Nasi Lemak, while those travelling the Philippines can savour vegetarian Sisig. On select Indonesia flights starting from 22 July, travellers will be treated to two delectable vegan dishes – Nasi Rendang with assorted vegetables or Rendang with Coconut Rice.
The airline’s catering arm, Santan, has ingeniously replaced animal protein like beef, chicken, and pork in traditional dishes with Green Rebel’s plant-based alternatives, ensuring meals retain their authentic taste and texture.
Interestingly, the well-loved Malaysian dish, Nasi Lemak, gets an upgrade with basmati and wild purple rice, accompanied by Green Rebel Chick’n Chunks and a hearty serving of eggplant curry, French beans, and potatoes. Green Rebel’s bestselling Beefless Rendang features in the classic Indonesian dish of Rendang with coconut rice, while Nasi Rendang is served with the same along with white rice, cassava leaves, and green chilli sambal.
Committed to sustainability and local flavour, the collaboration leverages Green Rebel’s advanced food technology to replicate the mouthfeel of eating meat, and an exclusive formulation of coconut oil, water, and natural vegan seasoning, mimicking the distinctive taste, aroma, and juiciness associated with animal protein.
The collaboration with Green Rebel supports AirAsia Group’s commitment to align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree Celsius policy to minimise greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The airline’s strategic efforts include an annual reduction of 221 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per aircraft and a shift towards more plant-based products.
With plant-based meat production promising significant savings in carbon emissions, water, land, and overall energy use, the collaboration also resonates with the rising trend of flexitarianism, a diet majorly composed of plant-based foods, in Asia.
This update follows the recent formation of AirAsia brand co. by Capital A, the airline’s holding company, aiming to bolster AirAsia’s global brand reach and impact.
