When you think of award-winning pies in Australia, you'd probably imagine a classic beef pie packed with gravy and wrapped in golden pastry.
But this year, the country's top pie title went to something a little more unexpected a Malaysian Prawn Pie.
The unique creation, made by Country Cob Bakery in Victoria, was crowned Australia's Best Pie for 2026 after beating hundreds of competitors at the country's largest pie competition.
Naturally, the news caught the attention of Malaysians online. While some were intrigued, others had one important question:
How exactly is this a Malaysian pie?
What's Inside The Award-Winning Pie?
The pie combines several ingredients inspired by Southeast Asian flavours:
Juicy prawns
Malaysian-inspired curry spices
Creamy coconut sauce
Flaky golden pastry
Instead of the traditional meat filling commonly found in Australian pies, this version takes inspiration from seafood curry flavours that many Malaysians are familiar with.
The result is a rich and aromatic filling wrapped inside a buttery pastry shell.
So, Why Is It Called A "Malaysian" Pie?
According to reports, the pie draws inspiration from Malaysian-style seafood curries, particularly the combination of coconut milk, spices and prawns that are commonly used in local cooking.
Malaysia is known for its diverse curry dishes, with influences from Malay, Indian, Chinese and Peranakan cuisines. Coconut milk and aromatic spice blends are often key ingredients in many beloved local dishes.
While the pie itself isn't something you'd typically find at a Malaysian kopitiam, the flavour profile behind the filling is what earned it the "Malaysian" label.
The Bakers Behind The Pie
The masterminds behind the award-winning creation are Cambodian-born brothers Chan Khun and Ryan Khun, who own and operate Country Cob Bakery.
The bakery has built a reputation for blending Southeast Asian flavours with traditional Australian baking.
Rather than sticking to conventional fillings, they've experimented with ingredients and flavour combinations inspired by the region's rich culinary heritage.
This creative approach appears to have paid off, with their Malaysian Prawn Pie impressing judges enough to take home the competition's highest honour.
Malaysians Have Mixed Feelings
As expected, Malaysians online had plenty to say.
Some were excited to see local flavours being recognised internationally, especially in a competition traditionally dominated by classic Australian-style pies.
Others weren't entirely convinced.
After all, while the filling may be inspired by Malaysian curry, pies aren't exactly a staple in Malaysian cuisine.
Some netizens joked that the pie sounded more like a giant curry puff with extra steps.
Others questioned whether a prawn curry filling alone is enough to classify something as "Malaysian."
Then again, food evolves all the time. Many popular dishes around the world are adaptations, fusions or reinterpretations of traditional flavours.
Genius Fusion Or Just Give Me A Curry Puff?
At the end of the day, the award-winning pie has certainly sparked conversation.
While Australians are celebrating a new pie champion, Malaysians seem more interested in debating whether the creation truly deserves its "Malaysian" title.
The real question is:
If someone handed you a flaky Australian pie filled with rich prawn curry and coconut sauce, would you call it a brilliant fusion creation?
Or would you take one bite and say, "This is nice, but honestly, just give me a curry puff."
