Malaysia is one of the countries to catch poke fever over the years, apart from New York City and Los Angeles. The movement skyrocketed in the UK and also ventured into Australia. PaperFish in Malaysia, meanwhile, certainly did not miss out on the movement. While the market awareness on the poke dish is on a constant rise, let’s have a quick chat with the Malaysian brand on how it contributes to the on-going health awareness in Malaysia.
WHAT IS THE POKE BOWL CONCEPT ALL ABOUT?
“Poke bowl” is all about healthy food made delicious. We believe it’s more than a trend – it’s a lifestyle. The concept originates from Hawaii but we’ve found an opportunity to localise it for Malaysians. We also understand the need to help Malaysians commit to living healthier lifestyles, and we want to be a part of that journey.
TELL US ABOUT THE JOURNEY OF PAPER FISH.
We are very proud that Paperfish is a local brand. The name Paperfish was chosen as we wanted to be seen as a place that serves refined, clean, and simple produce – all in one bowl. We love the fact that we were able to incorporate a small part of Japan (origami) into our name to show the Japanese influence towards poke in Hawaii. While crafting an origami allows the artist to transform a normal piece of paper into a refined work of art, we hope to be able to show that with our food.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN RUNNING A RESTAURANT? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THESE CHALLENGES?
One of the challenges we faced was introducing poke bowl as a food concept itself when we started. While few knew what it was, even fewer understood how it works. However, with time and much patience, we successfully educated our customers that poke bowl can be a great alternative after all, as a convenient quick fix or a delicious food-to-go.
ANY RESTAURANT SHOULD BE ABLE TO BRING A SUCCESSFUL F&B EXPERIENCE TO CUSTOMERS. FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS THAT NECESSITATE THAT PURPOSE FOR A POKE BOWL RESTAURANT?
We have to say, a great product and an even better customer service. The PaperFish experience is something we constantly aim to deliver for our customers. They should expect consistency in the quality of food every time they visit us, and we believe it’s the same for other businesses too. We also strive to understand what their preferences are for flavours so we can pair our poke bowls in a way our customers love.
DO YOU MIND TELLING US SOME MENU OFFERINGS WORTH MENTIONING IN YOUR LIST?
Our top sellers are Umami Shoyu Tuna, Spicy Salmon and Sea-salt Shrimp. Our regulars come back for these offerings time and again because they are marinated in fresh and juicy sauces – memorable in taste and totally guilt-free! Some of the other unique sellers we offer include Mango Salsa Shrimp and the much familiar, Cili Tuna.
LASTLY, TELL US ONE VALUABLE THING YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM THE F&B WORLD OF ASIA.
To be honest, the F&B is an unforgiving industry and there are no rooms for mistakes. Customers expect a great experience each time they walk into a restaurant, and social media is an open platform for them if they are unhappy about anything. We respect that, and we see it as an opportunity especially when our customers share about FishPaper to their friends and family as a result of enjoying our food.
It was enlightening to speak to PaperFish about their passion for health and wellness. So, don’t be surprised if you find yourself falling for some awesome poke combinations when you pay them a visit!
For more information on Paperfish, you may go to:
PAPERFISH
Address: 26, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website: www.paperfish.com.my
www.facebook.com/paperfishmy
