Musang King durian climbs in Southeast Asia's best-rated fruit ranking

By Hoang Vu May 14, 2025 | 02:54 pm PT

Musang King durian in Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Durian BB Malaysia

Musang King, a renowned durian variety from Malaysia, has risen 12 spots to secure seventh place in a list of the 26 best-rated fruits in Southeast Asia, as voted by readers of international food magazine TasteAtlas.

TasteAtlas described Musang King, also known as Mao Shan Wang, as "one of the best durian varieties, highly sought after for its rich, creamy texture and intense flavor."

Famous for its unique blend of bitter and sweet flavors, Musang King is the most popular durian variety in Malaysia. The fruit features thick, buttery, bright yellow flesh and a bold flavor with a hint of bitterness.

Musang King durians are typically harvested during Malaysia's southwest monsoon season, with peak availability from June to August.

Durian is primarily grown in tropical countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The fruit is distinctive for its large size, strong odor, and thorn-covered rind.

Mangosteen topped the TasteAtlas' list, followed by Indonesia's Pisang Raja banana.

According to TasteAtlas, the food rankings are based on audience ratings, with a system that filters out bots and overly patriotic ratings, while giving more weight to knowledgeable users. The platform aims to promote local culinary excellence, traditional dishes, and spark curiosity about foods that tourists may not have tried.