MANILA: A diet heavy on cheap, modern food like instant noodles that fills bellies but lacks key nutrients has left millions of children unhealthily thin or overweight in southeast Asia, experts say.
The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have booming economies and rising standards of living, yet many working parents do not have the time, money or awareness to steer clear of food hurting their kids.
In those three nations, an average of 40 percent of children aged five and below are malnourished, higher than the global average of one-in-three, according to a report out Tuesday from UNICEF, the UN children’s agency.
“Parents believe that filling their children’s stomach is the most important thing. They don’t really think about an adequate intake of protein, calcium or fiber,” Hasbullah Thabrany, a public health expert in Indonesia, said.
UNICEF said the harm done to children is both a symptom of past deprivation and a predictor of future poverty, while iron deficiency impairs a child’s ability to learn and raises a woman’s risk of death during or shortly after childbirth.
To give some sense of scale to the problem, Indonesia had 24.4 million children under five last year, while the Philippines had 11 million and Malaysia 2.6 million, UNICEF data show.
Mueni Mutunga, UNICEF Asia nutrition specialist, traced the trend back to families ditching traditional diets for affordable, accessible and easy-to-prepare “modern” meals.
“Noodles are easy. Noodles are cheap. Noodles are quick and an easy substitute for what should have been a balanced diet,” she said.
The noodles, which cost as little as 23 US cents a packet in Manila, are low on essential nutrients and micronutrients like iron and are also protein-deficient while having high fat and salt content, Mutunga added.
Indonesia was the world’s second-biggest consumer of instant noodles, behind China, with 12.5 billion servings in 2018, according to the World Instant Noodles Association.
The figure is more than the total consumed by India and Japan put together.
Nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, eggs, dairy, fish and meat are disappearing from diets as the rural population moves to the cities in search of jobs, the UNICEF report said.
Though the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are all considered middle-income countries by World Bank measures, tens of millions of their people struggle to make enough money to live.
“Poverty is the key issue,” said T. Jayabalan, a public health expert in Malaysia, adding that households where both parents work need quickly made meals.
Low-income households in Malaysia depend largely on ready-made noodles, sweet potatoes and soya-based products as their major meals, he said.
Sugar-rich biscuits, beverages and fast food also pose problems in these countries, according to experts.
Rolling back the influence instant noodles have on the daily lives, and health, of people in southeast Asia will likely require government intervention, they said.
“Promotion and advertising is extremely aggressive,” said Thabrany, the Indonesian public health expert.
“There is massive distribution. They (instant noodles) are available everywhere, even in the most remote places.”
High on ease, low on nutrition: instant-noodle diet harms Asian kids
High on ease, low on nutrition: instant-noodle diet harms Asian kids
- In the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, an average of 40 percent of children aged five and below are malnourished
- Indonesia is the world’s second-biggest consumer of instant noodles, behind China
Where We Are Going Today: La Dedos
One of the recent additions to Jeddah’s street food scene is La Dedos, a grab-and-go destination for Dutch-style “Holland fries” with a flavorful local twist.
Situated on Kayal Street in Rawdah district, you might find long lines with the aroma of fresh fries filling the air.
They offer fries with truffle mayo sauce along with a variety of sauces inspired by Saudi flavours, including homar (tamarind), green or red hot chilli, garlic, cheddar cheese, ketchup and their signature house sauce.
You can also add chilli flakes or feta cheese as toppings.
The homemade fries are made to order and have a balanced texture that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
You can choose your fries in two sizes with or without sauces and opt for finger fries, thick-cut cubes, chips or go for La Dedos Mix.
They also offer a refreshing variety of juices, including mango, cinnamon berry and hibiscus.
I tried the truffle mayo sauce, ketchup and regular hot sauce, washing it all down with a glass of their refreshing and fruity G Juice. It made for a tasty and satisfying summer snack, especially after a long day.
Prices are reasonable, though service can be a bit slow during peak times.
For more information, check their Instagram @ladedos.sa
Where We Are Going Today: Matcha Cloud
There is something instantly charming about Matcha Cloud — from the soft pink packaging to the handwritten “To the matcha lover only” on the box.
This brand knows its audience, and it delivers an experience that feels like a warm, cozy hug.
I ordered everything separately: the Premium Ceremonial Grade Matcha that came with a cute sleeve, and four flavor syrups — Apple Pie, Gingerbread, Caramel Gingerbread, and Cinnamon Cookie.
Each item came in one box, with themed packaging that made the whole order feel cohesive and thoughtful.
The matcha itself is fresh, smooth and vibrant — exactly what you want from ceremonial grade.
It blended well with oat milk and delivered a balanced, clean taste without bitterness. The sleeve was perfect for holding my cup around.
Now to the flavor syrups, they are playful and creative. Especially the cinnamon cookie one, which gave cozy winter vibes.
But if I am being honest, the taste of the syrups was not as deep or rich as I hoped. They add sweetness and aroma, but I found myself wishing they had more natural flavor and less artificial aftertaste.
Still, for matcha lovers who enjoy a touch of customization or want to try fun new twists, Matcha Cloud offers a refreshing take.
It is not just about quality, it is about joy — and this brand knows how to deliver that.
For more information, check their Instagram @matcha.cloud.ksa.
Diwan Kitchen brings Saudi soul to North London
- The UK capital’s latest Saudi restaurant drew the crowds for its opening night
LONDON: North London just got a little warmer. On May 1, at 510 Holloway Rd, the heart of the Kingdom found a new home in the UK capital. With oud music drifting through the air and the scent of spiced lamb and simmering wheat pulling people in from the street, Diwan Kitchen opened its doors to the public.
The new Saudi restaurant isn't just serving food. It’s telling stories.
The interiors are a soft, glowing tribute to the Kingdom’s past. From carved wood panels evoking the mudbrick homes of Najd, to vibrant fabrics and lanterns echoing the coastal souqs of Hijaz, every corner of Diwan Kitchen feels like a page from a living history book.
Those traditional mudbrick homes of Najd, designed to keep cool in scorching summers and warm in desert winters, weren’t just shelters; they were social spaces, built around courtyards, where family, memory, and hospitality were the foundation of daily life.
“We wanted to show people what traditional Saudi dining is like” Adem Nasraddin, co-founder of the restaurant, told Arab News. “There’s a rhythm to Saudi life. A scent, a pace, a flavor. We bottled that feeling and served it on a plate.”
And what a plate it is. The tasting menu is a culinary journey across the Kingdom. You can start in Hijaz, with motabag — pan-fried pastries that are light and crisp and deeply comforting. Whether filled with spiced vegetables, gooey cheese, or minced beef, each bite transports you to a Jeddah street corner at sunset.
There’s foul medammas, a creamy mash of fava beans seasoned the Hijazi way: with garlic, lemon, and cumin. And tamees bread; hot and soft, made for tearing and sharing — just as it should be.
The main courses venture into the windswept heartlands of Najd, with jareesh, a dish made from crushed wheat, simmered with tomatoes and onion, that tastes like something a Bedouin grandmother would proudly serve you under an open sky. Alongside it is marqooq, a rich, flat-dough stew that has nourished generations through long desert nights.
Of course, no Saudi table would be complete without rice. Diners can choose between kabsa — the fragrant national treasure of the central regions — and mandi, with its delicate smoke, hailing from the misty mountains of Asir and the southern valleys.
Then comes saleeg, a creamy rice dish from Taif, cooked in milk and broth and topped with tender chicken. It's the kind of meal that slows you down, insisting you stay a little longer.
“My experience has been that it’s completely authentic,” one Saudi guest, Fahad Habib, told Arab News. “It feels like I’m back home.”
Beyond the menu, Diwan Kitchen is a space built on memory and modernity. Saudi music played at the launch, and as guests chatted over cardamom coffee and dates, the atmosphere was part-family gathering, part-culinary pilgrimage.
The opening night drew a mixed crowd — Saudis living in London, curious neighbors from Holloway Road, and food lovers eager to explore a cuisine that’s still underrepresented in the UK. For many, it was more than just a meal; it was a chance to connect with a culture through flavor, memory, and setting.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Saqyah Meat’ restaurant in Riyadh
RIYADH: If you are in Riyadh and craving authentic, Saudi-style meat dishes that are rich in flavor and fall-off-the-bone tender, Saqyah is the place to visit.
With roots that go beyond the kitchen — they own their own grazing lands and farms — this brand takes pride in full control over the quality of its meat, and it shows in every bite.
Saqyah offers a wide range of meat options, from naeemi and Kashmiri to hashi and more. Prices are surprisingly affordable for the quality delivered. Individual meals start at SR24 ($6.40), while larger sharing platters range between SR200 and SR1,000 ($53 to $266) depending on the size and type of meat.
Saqyah, however, is not just a restaurant, it is also a full-service butchery. If you want to buy fresh raw meat, they will prepare and cut it to order on the spot. Everything is well packaged, clean, and professionally handled, which makes it a trusted option for home cooking.
The only downside is that buying raw meat from Saqyah is more expensive than what you would find at regular markets. But you are paying for superior cleanliness, trusted sourcing, and precise butchering — something you might not always get elsewhere.
With its strong Saudi identity, quality control, and fair pricing for cooked meals, Saqyah is a name meat lovers in Riyadh should definitely have on their radar.
For more, check their Instagram @saqyah.sa.
Where We Are Going Today: ‘Phet Phet’ Thai restaurant in Riyadh
Located at Pure Center on Takhassusi Road, Phet Phet is one of the boldest Thai kitchens to hit Riyadh — and it lives up to its name, which literally means “very spicy.”
With its neon signs, playful branding, and sleek modern seating, the place feels like a Bangkok street stall reimagined with modern aesthetics.
The menu leans heavily into bold, unapologetic flavors. I started with the shrimp cashew for SR75 ($20) — a standout dish that combined sweet, savory, and spicy notes perfectly, with just the right crunch.
Another favorite was the tom yum nam khon for SR 55, a rich and creamy soup layered with lemongrass, lime, and plump shrimp. It was intense and comforting at the same time.
Among the many appetizers we tried, the pow pow shrimp, chili wontons, and prawn toast all delivered.
The pad ki mao chicken and panang curry chicken were flavorful, with deep spice profiles that felt authentic. Even side dishes like sticky rice, coconut rice, and the playful Kinza cola added to the experience.
For dessert, the mango sticky rice (SR 35) offered a cool, sweet end to the fiery meal.
The place runs on energy — fast service, loud tables, and constant movement from the open kitchen to the packed dining area.
But here’s the only downside: Phet Phet is small. With how popular it already is, the space can feel cramped, and getting a seat without a wait is tricky.
Still, for those who love real heat, bold flavors, and a vibe that feels straight out of Thailand, Phet Phet is a must-visit.
For more information, check their Instagram @phetphetsa.
