"It's like giving CPR wei"
June 21, 2020 7:43 AM Subscribe
Young Malaysians trying to open a durian for the first time [SLYT]
There's even 'Southeast Asians who can't stand durians' representation, and bonus Malaysian English accents.
There's even 'Southeast Asians who can't stand durians' representation, and bonus Malaysian English accents.
ok i went hunting in my freezer and found an old tub of musang king ice cream, it's not the same but it will do. ahhhhhh i really wish i had some proper durian to eat now!
posted by destrius at 8:04 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by destrius at 8:04 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have to drive about an hour to find a store that sells durian. :/ Dang you, video!
posted by introp at 8:08 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by introp at 8:08 AM on June 21, 2020
why you make me watch this at 11pm and with no durian available at home
i also don't have durian right now, so we suffer together.
posted by cendawanita at 8:12 AM on June 21, 2020
i also don't have durian right now, so we suffer together.
posted by cendawanita at 8:12 AM on June 21, 2020
That was very anxious making. I kept expecting someone to lose a finger the way they kept nonchalantly applying cleavers to slippery rocking surfaces. But the got their durian in the end, so success?
I also liked the “somewhat protective” gloves.
In all seriousness, very charming.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:20 AM on June 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
I also liked the “somewhat protective” gloves.
In all seriousness, very charming.
posted by GenjiandProust at 8:20 AM on June 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
I loved the editing, especially when they superimposed the woman in the grey t-shirt onto the Christ the Redeemer statue.
posted by ambrosen at 8:23 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by ambrosen at 8:23 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
Yeah I absolutely knew, deep in my heart, that someone's finger was coming off before this was done - I'm happy to see (spoiler!) everyone made it through with all digits still intact and attached!
Suresh's pain speaks to the universal experience of "this food is gross, whyyyyy are you making me eat this" that I remember from every time my dad fried up okra for dinner. I feel a deep bond.
posted by invincible summer at 8:27 AM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
Suresh's pain speaks to the universal experience of "this food is gross, whyyyyy are you making me eat this" that I remember from every time my dad fried up okra for dinner. I feel a deep bond.
posted by invincible summer at 8:27 AM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
I’ve never had durian and seeing the second cut reveal secret durian treasure was quite thrilling.
posted by gladly at 8:35 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by gladly at 8:35 AM on June 21, 2020
I kept expecting someone to lose a finger the way they kept nonchalantly applying cleavers to slippery rocking surfaces.
having familiarity with that kind of cleaver definitely helps, and it's actually pretty well-balanced and versatile. you pretty much can use it for any sort of knifework in a typical asian kitchen, so maybe the durian bit is new, but i'm guessing if these kids have had to help in a kitchen at some point, they've handled something like that cleaver.
that cleaver (or the parang, which is a type of short machete) is something i definitely missed when all i had was standard kitchen knives.
posted by cendawanita at 8:43 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
having familiarity with that kind of cleaver definitely helps, and it's actually pretty well-balanced and versatile. you pretty much can use it for any sort of knifework in a typical asian kitchen, so maybe the durian bit is new, but i'm guessing if these kids have had to help in a kitchen at some point, they've handled something like that cleaver.
that cleaver (or the parang, which is a type of short machete) is something i definitely missed when all i had was standard kitchen knives.
posted by cendawanita at 8:43 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
Suresh brandishing the cleaver at the guy withholding water at the end was so good. This was a super cute video!
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:57 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by Homo neanderthalensis at 8:57 AM on June 21, 2020
i also don't have durian right now, so we suffer together.
ASEAN solidarity!
Yeah I think most of them appear more or less familiar with how to use the cleaver, and it didn't seem that dangerous to me. Durians are also not really that slippery.
I'm surprised that none of them, especially the durian lovers, have ever opened a durian before. Do they mostly get them pre-packed in Malaysia as well, like over here in Singapore? I still prefer the fruit fresh and warm from the shell than suffocating inside a styrofoam container.
posted by destrius at 8:59 AM on June 21, 2020
ASEAN solidarity!
Yeah I think most of them appear more or less familiar with how to use the cleaver, and it didn't seem that dangerous to me. Durians are also not really that slippery.
I'm surprised that none of them, especially the durian lovers, have ever opened a durian before. Do they mostly get them pre-packed in Malaysia as well, like over here in Singapore? I still prefer the fruit fresh and warm from the shell than suffocating inside a styrofoam container.
posted by destrius at 8:59 AM on June 21, 2020
oh no, it's just like a lot of food here, it's just easy to find some guy with a lorry full of durians (or if you're in metro KL area, spots like in SS2) and the service will always include them cutting it open for you to eat right there, or to pack home. If you're rly not confident about your home cutting skills but you don't want it to be completely open, you can even ask them to do the first cut so all you need to do at home is to rip it apart. though, i think most ppl will prefer to eat it right then and there and have a durian party where the service including cutting and cleaning is available.
tbh it's like how i legit don't know the names of the local dishes if it's not my home state's, because of the buffet-style dining, and all i do is just point to the dish to go with the rice...
posted by cendawanita at 9:12 AM on June 21, 2020 [6 favorites]
tbh it's like how i legit don't know the names of the local dishes if it's not my home state's, because of the buffet-style dining, and all i do is just point to the dish to go with the rice...
posted by cendawanita at 9:12 AM on June 21, 2020 [6 favorites]
My dad ate them in Thailand in the late 60's when in the Peace Corps. We bought a whole one in SF Chinatown in the late 90's and it didn't live up to his memories - research showed they had been frozen whole and shipped. I've recently had some from a Thai grocery store that had been sectioned and frozen in some sort of high tech packaging. Delicious. I look forward to having a truly fresh one sometime in my life.
posted by mzurer at 9:13 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by mzurer at 9:13 AM on June 21, 2020
This has been on my list ever since I heard they banned possession of durian on trains in India... And right now I'm stuck on a durian-less continent, dammit... I'm seriously going to try buying one on ebay. Also, a large meat cleaver, apparently?
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 9:33 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by kleinsteradikaleminderheit at 9:33 AM on June 21, 2020
I love durian, but have only ever had it already prepared. I had no idea there were so many compartments!
The video reminded me of the one (and only) time I tried to cut open a pomegranate. My kitchen looked like a crime scene and it took me days to get all of the juice off of my cabinets and walls.
posted by TwoStride at 10:08 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
The video reminded me of the one (and only) time I tried to cut open a pomegranate. My kitchen looked like a crime scene and it took me days to get all of the juice off of my cabinets and walls.
posted by TwoStride at 10:08 AM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
I despise durian but loved Suresh's image of the durian without thorns and the subsequent musical interlude.
posted by mdonley at 10:27 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by mdonley at 10:27 AM on June 21, 2020
I want to try durian again. The first (and only) time I tried it I don't know whether I actually didn't like it or had been hyped up on the idea I didn't like it and it became a self fulfilling prophecy. Like, when I tried bloodcake I loved it, but I don't know if that would've been the case if I knew what it was first. But I'm guessing where I live (DMV in USA) there isn't a good place to get good durian.
posted by Anonymous at 10:33 AM on June 21, 2020
posted by Anonymous at 10:33 AM on June 21, 2020
Their nasi lemak at different price points taste test video is also a lot of fun. I had a few great nasi lemaks on a trip to KL that I am now trying to manifest in front of me by sheer force of want.
posted by Grimp0teuthis at 11:20 AM on June 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
posted by Grimp0teuthis at 11:20 AM on June 21, 2020 [5 favorites]
I was going to say that a fruit that smells like that and with thorns that painful is clearly telling you I AM NOT MEANT TO BE EATEN...but then I remembered I love cashews, which will literally blind you if you prepare them wrong, so....
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 12:05 PM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr. Bad Example at 12:05 PM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
I am going to send this video to my Singaporean mother!
That setup with the newspaper all over the floor and the meat cleaver? Ahh, childhood memories of Granny’s house whenever my family would manage to procure a durian. I was always offered some, but I’m afraid my reactions are more like Suresh’s. Rest of my family (including my very white Canadian dad): “MORE FOR US THEN!” However, I did eat the durian paste/cake that was shaped like cigars. That stuff gives the flavour without the smell.
I’ve recently learned that durian flavoured kaya also really dials down the smell, so that’s another way to get the flavour without the pungency....
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:34 PM on June 21, 2020
That setup with the newspaper all over the floor and the meat cleaver? Ahh, childhood memories of Granny’s house whenever my family would manage to procure a durian. I was always offered some, but I’m afraid my reactions are more like Suresh’s. Rest of my family (including my very white Canadian dad): “MORE FOR US THEN!” However, I did eat the durian paste/cake that was shaped like cigars. That stuff gives the flavour without the smell.
I’ve recently learned that durian flavoured kaya also really dials down the smell, so that’s another way to get the flavour without the pungency....
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 2:34 PM on June 21, 2020
This video is adorable and these people have now learned an important Life Skill.
Was hoping to see them drink salt water out of the empty husks - that was practically a ritual in my family.
The best part was actually taking the leftovers from the fridge the next day - the creamy fruit is still fresh AND also cold, like ice-cream.
posted by cynical pinnacle at 2:40 PM on June 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
Was hoping to see them drink salt water out of the empty husks - that was practically a ritual in my family.
The best part was actually taking the leftovers from the fridge the next day - the creamy fruit is still fresh AND also cold, like ice-cream.
posted by cynical pinnacle at 2:40 PM on June 21, 2020 [2 favorites]
If you're rly not confident about your home cutting skills but you don't want it to be completely open, you can even ask them to do the first cut so all you need to do at home is to rip it apart. though, i think most ppl will prefer to eat it right then and there and have a durian party where the service including cutting and cleaning is available.
Ah.. yeah, over here there the stalls generally have very few seats, so most people will buy to bring home, with the first cut already made (so we can inspect the fruit and do a taste test first, like trying ice cream flavours), and open up the rest of the fruit using the same "CPR" technique.
The best part was actually taking the leftovers from the fridge the next day - the creamy fruit is still fresh AND also cold, like ice-cream.
I'm always a bit ambivalent about this... on one hand I like cold ice creamy durian, but on the other hand I find the fruit tastes best slightly warm, and it is only warm when freshly extracted from the shell, probably due to residual heat from being out in the sun. Also, durian in the fridge makes everything smell like durian for the next few days (this may or may not be a plus point).
posted by destrius at 6:19 PM on June 21, 2020
Ah.. yeah, over here there the stalls generally have very few seats, so most people will buy to bring home, with the first cut already made (so we can inspect the fruit and do a taste test first, like trying ice cream flavours), and open up the rest of the fruit using the same "CPR" technique.
The best part was actually taking the leftovers from the fridge the next day - the creamy fruit is still fresh AND also cold, like ice-cream.
I'm always a bit ambivalent about this... on one hand I like cold ice creamy durian, but on the other hand I find the fruit tastes best slightly warm, and it is only warm when freshly extracted from the shell, probably due to residual heat from being out in the sun. Also, durian in the fridge makes everything smell like durian for the next few days (this may or may not be a plus point).
posted by destrius at 6:19 PM on June 21, 2020
Also recommending the pre-sectioned deep-frozen durian. Tastes great, you don't have to eat it all at once and (unfortunately) the durian smell is how you can tell that your freezer has stopped working.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 6:26 PM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 6:26 PM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also if you pressed the wrong air circulation button in your car.
destrius, here's a short video on the SS2 area. the video itself wanted to focus on one place in particular but in the vid you can see the various other durian joints and the many seats available. And this is the kind of lorry action I'm talking about.
re: the nasi lemak video -- SAYS is actually my favourite of the local buzzfeed clones. you have no idea how hard it's been not to share practically every other video, but since the recent decision to include standard/textbook english subtitles, it's... harder-easier lol. This is their same price points video for durians that also just came out. their camera talents are just so cute.
posted by cendawanita at 7:15 PM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
destrius, here's a short video on the SS2 area. the video itself wanted to focus on one place in particular but in the vid you can see the various other durian joints and the many seats available. And this is the kind of lorry action I'm talking about.
re: the nasi lemak video -- SAYS is actually my favourite of the local buzzfeed clones. you have no idea how hard it's been not to share practically every other video, but since the recent decision to include standard/textbook english subtitles, it's... harder-easier lol. This is their same price points video for durians that also just came out. their camera talents are just so cute.
posted by cendawanita at 7:15 PM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
I hope it's not a derail to add links to a couple of durian-related videos from the Food King Singapore channel:
Durian Mania! It's finally time for some.. Durian Mania! Join us on this episode as we explore the best places to enjoy the King of fruits this durian season.posted by Lexica at 8:35 PM on June 21, 2020 [1 favorite]
$68 Mooncake vs $628 Mooncake! The mooncake season is upon us, and there are tons and tons of fancy mooncakes for you to choose from, but today, we delve into the world of durian mooncakes!
I'm so intrigued by durian. I have never had a chance to try it, but I must seek it out! I do love strongly flavoured things, including ripened cheeses and fermented tofu. But is it that the flavour is strong, or is there a chemical which (as with coriander) people just taste very differently?
posted by jb at 9:14 PM on June 21, 2020
posted by jb at 9:14 PM on June 21, 2020
The flavour itself is honestly variable, very tropical-fruit-as-a-custard, which is already a texture description that's unusual to the western palate (or even a South Asian one! I remember how even tofu can elicit the heebie jeebies). But it's the smell that takes a lot of getting used to, and that owes a lot to the sulfuric compounds. Since smell is so closely connected to taste, if you really can't get over the smell, the sweet custard taste rly gets lost in your mouth. It's definitely a sensory dissonance, between something that smells like it should be savoury and then having it actually taste like a more tropical... mmm... creme brûlée.
posted by cendawanita at 9:36 PM on June 21, 2020 [4 favorites]
posted by cendawanita at 9:36 PM on June 21, 2020 [4 favorites]
Ohhhh, I loved this video.
Durians really do look like they’re throwing every trick in the book at trying to not get eaten! It’s fun to imagine what it tastes and smells like... I’m excited to someday try one (that has been prepared by someone else).
posted by sacchan at 10:13 PM on June 21, 2020
Durians really do look like they’re throwing every trick in the book at trying to not get eaten! It’s fun to imagine what it tastes and smells like... I’m excited to someday try one (that has been prepared by someone else).
posted by sacchan at 10:13 PM on June 21, 2020
Not really related, but I've been watching Jason's Market Trails on Netflix recently and it's pretty awesome (but also very Chinese-focused). If you've ever wondered what a tropical wet market looks like, go watch it. Don't think it's available in the US but you can see it if you use a VPN to change your region to e.g. Singapore. (promo video Youtube here)
It also makes me think about a Singapore that no longer exists...
posted by destrius at 10:26 PM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
It also makes me think about a Singapore that no longer exists...
posted by destrius at 10:26 PM on June 21, 2020 [3 favorites]
OK, now I’m going to be watching SAYS videos till tomorrow...thank you for introducing me to them, cendawanita!
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 AM on June 22, 2020
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 12:25 AM on June 22, 2020
oh god you guys are making me fall into a SAYS binge as well (and I'm the OP). i'm cracking up that in practically every price points video, if it tastes too 'mat salleh' (ie white ie not as spicy), it must be the expensive one.
posted by cendawanita at 2:20 AM on June 22, 2020
posted by cendawanita at 2:20 AM on June 22, 2020
This made me realize I've never opened a durian on my own TT Closest thing is jackfruit, which is a lot more tame on many fronts. Next time I return to my parents' motherland I'll look for the "seam" and use newspaper and a cleaver and all lol. For now I have durian mooncake in the freezer from October....
This video was so so cute! Definitely going to watch more of them, thank you :)
posted by one teak forest at 2:53 PM on June 22, 2020
This video was so so cute! Definitely going to watch more of them, thank you :)
posted by one teak forest at 2:53 PM on June 22, 2020
some more durian news:
- a creative ad for durian openers
- NYT apparently had another fluff correspondent piece about those strange strange Southeast Asian fruits, and this is one of many good twitter threads responding to it.
posted by cendawanita at 11:22 AM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
- a creative ad for durian openers
- NYT apparently had another fluff correspondent piece about those strange strange Southeast Asian fruits, and this is one of many good twitter threads responding to it.
posted by cendawanita at 11:22 AM on June 25, 2020 [1 favorite]
I've never tried durian despite being intrigued for years and this post finally was the tipping point for ordering some freeze dried durian from amazon!! can't wait to try it!!
posted by CarolynG at 9:21 PM on June 25, 2020
posted by CarolynG at 9:21 PM on June 25, 2020
The flavour itself is honestly variable, very tropical-fruit-as-a-custard, which is already a texture description that's unusual to the western palate
This is very different from what I imagined - when people write about durian, I was imagining tropical-fruit-as-aged-camembert (which sounded yummy). But I also do love custard and custard-textured things. So I need to keep looking for an opportunity to try it, albeit not on a public train.
Thanks for the description, cendawanita!
posted by jb at 1:24 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
This is very different from what I imagined - when people write about durian, I was imagining tropical-fruit-as-aged-camembert (which sounded yummy). But I also do love custard and custard-textured things. So I need to keep looking for an opportunity to try it, albeit not on a public train.
Thanks for the description, cendawanita!
posted by jb at 1:24 PM on June 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
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posted by destrius at 8:00 AM on June 21, 2020 [5 favorites]