Nando's New Pineapple Peri-Peri Flavour @ Aeon Maluri

If we're thinking of having a chicken meal from a restaurant chain, Nando's will usually be the one that comes to mind.  I've always preferred grilled, roasted or baked chicken over deep-fried chicken.  Heck, I've even tried to replicate Nando's chicken leg/wings and chicken tenders at home with their store-bought bottled peri-peri sauces (lemon & herb flavour) to an acceptable level.

I haven't been to Nando's since the pandemic and I guess it's as good a time as any to revisit now since they have a new flavour out that I wanted to try (+ I was told it's really good).  My favourite flavour used to be Lemon & Herb (from their standard flavours) which later got replaced by their Mango & Lime and replaced again by the Smoky Peri-Peri (both flavours were for a limited time only).  I tend to prefer the flavours they put out for a limited period as I'm not a fan of their usual spicy peri-peri sauces.

If you've not guessed the new flavour by now, it's pretty obvious from the little hanging deco at their restaurant with the catchline "Let's get it ONG"....ong as in ong lai (meaning pineapple).  Yes, it's their Pineapple Peri-Peri! ;)  Based on their PERi-ometer, Pineapple Peri-Peri sits between their Lemon & Herb and Mild Peri-Peri in terms of spiciness (which equals to not spicy at all).

The promotional paper stand on the table shows some of their new offerings (probably not new since I've not been to Nando's for quite a while).  They have Portuguese Nata (aka Portuguese tarts), Choc-A-Lot Muffin (as in chocolate muffins) and Sweet Potato Chips.  They even have bottomless coffee and tea now (besides bottomless soft drinks).

We ordered the Sweet Potato Chips with PERinaise @ RM16.90 to share.  When sweet potato chips are available, we'd usually get that since they taste so much better than potatoes or their plain peri-peri chips.

These sweet potato chips were served with a peri-naise sauce (that's similar to mayo-naise mixed with ketchup or Thousand Island sauce).  Although it was a little sweet, I found myself going back for more and kept dunking my sweet potato chips in them.  So yum!

I had the 1/4 Chicken with 1 Side @ RM22.90 with choice of sauce, Pineapple Peri-Peri (of course), and a side of Chargrilled Vegetables.  The pineapple peri-peri sauce was really good with a nice citrusy flavour that's not too sweet and without the sourish flavours of their other sauces.  This is their best flavour yet (and wished there was more of it basted on the chicken).....I absolutely loved it! ^o^  Again, they've outdone themselves with this new flavour that's even better tasting than their mango & lime and smoky peri-peri I had before.

I've got to say the portion of 1/4 chicken remains the same....still smallish but I guess it's more acceptable now since food prices have been on the rise lately + I also don't eat as much as I used to anymore...hah..hah. The chicken leg looked a lot more charred than before with a delicious, smoky flavour coming through while the meat was tender and moist.

The chargrilled vegetables of yellow and green capsicum, broccoli, zucchini, carrot, onions and mushrooms were nicely cooked and lightly charred.  They tasted a lot better than I remember (kudos to the improved cooking).

I'm sure you can guess who ordered the Grilled Chicken Tenders with 2 Sides @ RM21.90 with Mediterranean Rice and Chargrilled Vegetables as his choice of two sides.

Opting for chicken tenders mean you don't have to deal with chicken bones and he had his with the new pineapple peri-peri flavour as well.  The tenders were juicy, not dry.

I may to choose or tend to like a different peri-peri flavour for my chicken but one thing that has remained a constant is the Tropical Fruitea @ RM12.90, my go-to drink each time I eat here.

The tropical medley of mango and lime, infused with orange juice and lemon tea, is highly refreshing and very pleasant to drink...zesty, tangy, not too sweet nor too tart, just right.

My Personal Opinion

Nando's keep coming up with new flavours for a limited period only...and those turn out better tasting than their standard peri-peri flavours in my opinion.  I just wished they would incorporate some of these new flavours into their permanent menu (and kick out all those hot peri-peri sauces which I have no affinity to).

They've outdone themselves with this pineapple peri-peri sauce that definitely deserves a place on their permanent menu.  If not, I'm certainly going to miss this flavour when it's gone.  It's now my new favourite flavour.

Do give this pineapple peri-peri flavour a try before the promotion ends.....if it had not already ended.  It's good. ^.^

Nando's Aeon Taman Maluri

Lot S08 2nd Floor

Aeon Taman Maluri Shopping Centre

Taman Maluri Cheras

55100 Kuala Lumpur