THERE are few things more Malaysian than enjoying pulut durian, that glorious combo of sticky rice and the world’s most divisive fruit. But in Paris, the king of fruits nearly caused a royal disaster.
A Malaysian couple living in the City of Love recently learned that while Parisians adore fine cheese and aged wine, they’re not quite ready for the durian’s... unique personality.
Just as the couple were digging into their fragrant feast, their peaceful evening was interrupted by the wail of sirens and a squad of firefighters at their door.
The reason? Neighbours had reported a suspicious smell, fearing a possible gas leak in the building.
On TikTok, user FroyJall shared the comical chain of events, saying the rescue team scoured their apartment high and low.
"They couldn’t find the source, so they called the gas company. They checked with a meter, zero reading. We just pretended nothing happened," he wrote.
The infamous fruit was apparently bought from a Chinatown grocer, one of the few places in Paris daring enough to sell it. But, as the couple later found out, had the smell been confirmed to come from their durian, they could have been fined for disturbing the peace.
"If it’s from the durian, it’s an offence because it affects the comfort of residents. Honestly, Parisians are too efficient, smell something strange, straightaway report it. We felt so guilty!" he added, amused.
What was meant to be a taste of home turned into an international incident, proof that durian isn’t just a fruit, it’s a full sensory experience.
For Malaysians, it was just dessert, for the French, an unexplained emergency.