Keropok ≠ Kerepek ≠ Merepek

The phrase “Keropok = animal-based, Kerepek = plant-based, Merepek = human-based” is a widely shared Malay-language meme. It has circulated online since at least 2020, with no known original author. Popular across Twitter, Facebook and Threads, it’s considered public domain humour, often used to highlight wordplay and cultural wit in a lighthearted way.

Disclaimer This phrase appears to be part of a growing meme trend across Malaysian social media since at least August 2020. It has been shared in many variations, with no identifiable original author. Anyone using it today is contributing to a community‑created joke rather than quoting a distinct source.

🍤🍌🧠 Of Keropok, Kerepek & Merepek — Know the Difference! 😂

In the wonderful world of snacks and silliness, three similar-sounding Malay words often come up — Keropok, Kerepek and Merepek. But trust me, they are worlds apart (though all equally crunchy in their own way 🤭).

Let’s break it down:

🔸 Keropok = Animal-based 🐟🦐

Your classic fish, prawn crackers.

Think keropok lekor, fresh from the wok — that smell alone can start a queue!

✅ Crunchy.

✅ Tasty.

✅ May contain eyeballs (don’t think too hard about it).

🔸 Kerepek = Plant-based 🍌🥔🌽

Banana, sweet potato, tapioca, jackfruit — you name it, we fry it.

The OG snack for Raya, open houses or random kuih jars that magically refill themselves.

✅ Crunchier.

✅ Grease-friendly.

✅ One bite becomes 87 bites. You’ve been warned.

🔸 Merepek = Human-based nonsense 🙃🗣️🌀

This one’s not edible, but very common in group chats and meetings that could have been an email.

Comes in many flavours:

• “Conspiracy WhatsApp Uncle” edition
• “I read it on TikTok, must be true!”
• “I once dreamt I was a dragon so I’m now an expert on Chinese history.”

✅ Not crunchy.

✅ May cause eye-rolling.

✅ Best served with a strong teh tarik and patience.

So remember folks:

📌 Keropok fills your stomach

📌 Kerepek fills your kuih jar

📌 Merepek fills your WhatsApp groups at 2AM 😅

Life’s too short — munch wisely, speak mindfully and try not to merepek too much… unless it gets you free kerepek. Then we fully support it. 😉