[Written in partnership with Daem Meat, but the editorial team had full control over the content.]
You know of going to the grocery store to do your shopping, and you also know of services that get other people to do your groceries then drop them off at your doorstep.
But do you know of a grocery store that will come to you?
While not quite a “store” in the traditional sense, that’s exactly what Daem Meat is doing, as Malaysia’s first mobile butcher shop.
A butcher shop on wheels
Officially launched in August last year, Daem Meat’s main mission is simple—to provide premium meat products directly to consumers.
Picture your favourite food truck serving tacos or burgers. But instead of hot meals, this truck dishes out fresh beef and lamb meat that’s ready to be cooked.
To ensure their offerings remain fresh throughout the day, the mobile truck is equipped with a refrigerated storage facility (or cold room). Here is where customers can find beef and lamb shanks hanging in the back or other pre-cut meats readily bagged.
What differentiates Daem Meats from a regular grocery delivery van is how each truck has butchers and butchery appliances, such as a bone saw and vacuum pack machine.
Customers seeking a specific cut of meat can get the help of their trained butchers to slice and dice on the spot. This feature is particularly helpful for younger homecooks like myself who aren’t familiar with the right way of cutting beef and lamb.
For context, whether it’s a serving of steak or a pot of rendang, slicing meat incorrectly can make or break the dish. Cutting with the grain instead of against it results in a chewy, rubber-like texture, and who really wants that?
“It’s a mobile culinary experience”
“We are proud to introduce this innovative concept that meets the evolving needs of modern consumers while upholding the highest standards of quality,” Daem Meat’s chairman, Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohd Tahir, stated during the brand’s launch.
“It’s not just a food truck; it’s a mobile culinary experience that brings the finest meat selections right to our customers’ doorsteps.”
Most of Daem Meat’s offerings are from their own farm and cattle in Malaysia, specifically the Kedah-Kelantan (KK) and Brahman breed.
There’s a range of cuts available for both western and Malaysian cooking, including (but not limited to):
- Ribeye
- Sirloin
- Tenderloin
- Gearbox
- Chuck Bone
- Oxtail
- Yakiniku
- Shabu-shabu
- Minced meat
The starting price is RM39.90 per kilogram, with prices differing depending on the chosen cut. If customers are unsure of which cut would work the best for a specific dish, they’re able to consult Daem Meat’s butchers as well.
All of their products are packed in vacuum sealed bags, even the ones that are freshly cut upon request. It’s an extra measure the brand takes to ensure cleanliness. “The vacuum-sealed bags are tougher and less likely to leak. It also helps prevent the rapid growth of bacteria,” they shared.
Bringing fresh meat to your doorstep
At the time of writing, Daem Meat’s mobile butcher trucks are available on a weekly basis in certain Klang Valley locations.
On Thursdays and Fridays (11AM to 7PM), customers can find them at Masjid Al Falah USJ 9, Subang Jaya. On Sundays (8AM to 6PM), they’re available at Temu Elmina, Shah Alam and Masjid At-Taqwa TTDI, KL.
This list is shorter now than it was a few months ago, but it seems to be a strategic move to concentrate on their high customer traffic areas.
Customers who live further away don’t have to fret though. The brand continues to offer its same-day delivery service to Klang Valley residents, with cost being based on location. For a RM30 flat rate, customers beyond the Klang Valley can get their meat couriered too.
Orders can be done through WhatsApp and are sent by their own team of delivery riders.
Recently, the brand partnered with local celebrity Asyraf Khalid to start a new venture called AK Meat. Specialising in frozen Australian and A5 Japanese wagyu, it’s a new avenue for Daem Meat to fulfill its mission of providing consumers with quality meat products.
Despite only being less than a year old, it’s hard to deny that Daem Meat has brought a unique concept to Malaysia. And I, for one, am curious to see how they’ll change the local grocery game.
Featured Image Credit: Daem Meat
