If you’ve ever traveled to Australia from Kuala Lumpur, you’ll know how easy it is to bring back snacks in bulk. A flight to Perth takes about 5.5 hours — close enough to justify a suitcase filled with supermarket finds.
I first discovered these snacks during a one-week road trip in Perth. Like many Koreans traveling abroad, we stocked up on car-friendly snacks for long drives. That’s when Shapes and Pods quickly became repeat purchases — easy to share, easy to finish, and hard to stop eating.
But what if you don’t need to fly to Australia at all?
Some of Australia’s most popular snacks — including Shapes, Pods, and Remedy Kombucha — are available in Malaysia. Here’s what to try, where to find them, and whether they’re worth buying locally.
1️⃣ Arnott’s Shapes – Australia’s Classic Savory Snack
Shapes is one of Australia’s most established snack brands, first launched in 1954. It remains widely consumed across the country, with millions of boxes sold annually.
What makes Shapes interesting is that each flavor has a distinct shape:
- Barbecue – hexagonal
- Pizza – square
- Cheddar – oval
- Vegemite & Cheese – map of Australia
Best Flavor to Try: Vegemite & Cheese
Vegemite is Australia’s iconic yeast extract spread, made from brewer’s yeast — a by-product of beer production. Dark brown and highly concentrated, it is intensely salty, slightly bitter, and deeply umami.
Source: Vegemite official website.
Traditionally, Australians apply it very thinly over buttered toast. For first-timers, however, the flavor can feel intense — not only salty but also slightly fermented in aroma, somewhat reminiscent of strong soybean paste or fish sauce. That distinctive savory depth is part of its appeal for locals, but it can be surprising for newcomers.
Vegemite was developed locally in 1923 when imports of the British spread Marmite became limited after World War I, and it has since become one of Australia’s most culturally recognizable pantry staples.
In Shapes form, the flavor is far more approachable. Combined with cheese seasoning, it delivers a concentrated savory hit without the sharpness people often associate with the spread itself — making it surprisingly easy to enjoy, even for beginners.
Australian Debate: Barbeque or Pizza Flavor?
In Australia, Barbecue and Pizza are often mentioned as the two most popular flavors in casual online discussions. Barbecue is frequently described as balanced and easy to snack on, while Pizza tends to be praised for its stronger seasoning.
This kind of informal flavor rivalry has become part of the brand’s everyday snack culture.
For your information, my husband firmly ranks Barbecue as the best — a balanced seasoning that makes it dangerously easy to finish an entire box while watching TV.
Where to Buy in Malaysia
Shapes are occasionally stocked at:
- Jaya Grocer
- Mercato (selected branches)
- Online grocery shopping via Jaya Grocer (availability varies by branch)
Stock is inconsistent, so checking Grab before heading to a store is recommended.
2️⃣ Mars Pods – Bite-Sized Chocolate Crunch
Pods are a chocolate snack launched in 2004 by Mars Wrigley. They combine a crunchy baked shell with fillings inspired by classic chocolate bars:
- Mars
- Snickers
- Twix
These flavor variations exist because Mars Wrigley is the manufacturer behind all three chocolate bars. In other words, Pods are not merely “inspired” by these brands — they are officially produced by the same company, allowing the snack to replicate the original flavor profiles more directly.
Each piece is small and easy to overeat — which explains their popularity in Australia.
Are Pods Available in Malaysia?
Yes, but again, availability varies.
They can sometimes be found at:
- Jaya Grocer
- Larger mall supermarkets
When searching online, note that “pods” may return coffee capsules first — scroll carefully.
3️⃣ Remedy Kombucha – A Milder Fermented Option
If salty snacks feel heavy, Remedy Kombucha offers a lighter finish.
Kombucha is fermented tea containing probiotics, known for its tangy flavor and light carbonation. Some versions can taste sharp or overly sour.
Remedy, however, is milder and easier to drink.
Recommended Flavors
- Lemon & Ginger (clean, refreshing)
- Wild Berry (fruit-forward, less acidic)
In Malaysia, Remedy is usually sold in smaller bottles compared to Australian supermarket versions.
Available at:
- Jaya Grocer
- Selected premium supermarkets in Kuala Lumpur
Bonus: What You Still Can’t Easily Find in Malaysia
One snack that remains difficult to source locally is Harvest Snaps (baked pea crisps).
Originally associated with Calbee’s U.S. branding (Snapea Crisps), Harvest Snaps gained strong popularity in Australia. The chili and salt & vinegar flavors are especially addictive.
As of now, they are not consistently available in Malaysia.
Final Thoughts
If you’re living in Kuala Lumpur and craving familiar Australian snacks, you don’t necessarily need to plan another Perth trip.
Shapes, Pods, and Remedy Kombucha are accessible in Malaysia — though stock varies by location.
If you’re curious about other Australian products that are harder to find in Malaysia, I also wrote about a social-media-famous Colgate toothpaste — including the heart-shaped, peach and watermelon-flavoured versions that went viral in Australia.
For those interested in Kuala Lumpur’s broader food scene, you might also enjoy:
Australian snacks in Malaysia may not be as widespread as in Perth supermarkets, but with a bit of searching, they’re within reach.