What is Musang King D197?
Musang King (D197) is the most recognised and most sought-after durian variety in Malaysia. The number D197 is the official Department of Agriculture (DOA) registration code, assigned to this variety on 9 December 1993. It was originally known as Koon Poh Wong or Raja Kunyit, after the bright turmeric colour of its flesh.
The name "Musang King" has nothing to do with cats — musang in Malay refers to the civet. The variety takes its name from the Gua Musang area in Kelantan, where it first spread widely in the 1990s. The Chinese name 猫山王 follows the pronunciation, not the meaning.
History & Registration of D197
The Musang King mother tree is said to have been planted at Pulau Raya, Tanah Merah, Kelantan. By the 1990s the variety had spread to the Gua Musang, Raub, and Bentong areas.
On 9 December 1993, the variety was officially registered as D197 under the Malaysian Department of Agriculture. This registration matters because it gives the variety a verifiable legal identity — distinct from the many durians sold as "Musang King" without a clear pedigree.
Musang King Flavour Profile
The defining trait of Musang King is gam-pahit — the layered bitter-sweet finish that emerges after the first cream notes. It is not simply sweet. The bitterness arrives after the initial richness and lingers as a long finish.
Brix reference of 37–48% is an industry figure, not a guarantee. Fruit from 30-year-old trees like those at our Bukit Serampang orchard produces more pronounced gam-pahit complexity; young plantation trees tend toward a sweeter, less bitter profile.
Low fibre and high moisture content make Musang King exceptionally smooth. The texture is thick and custard-like — most people stop after two or three pods because it is so filling.
How to Identify Genuine D197
The durian market is full of fruit labelled "Musang King" without a clear DOA pedigree. Here are the physical markers to check:
Flesh: Distinct turmeric-gold — not pale yellow or white. Wrinkled pod surface, indicating high sugar content. Creamy texture, low fibre.
Husk: Dark green, grey-green, or grey-yellow when fully ripe. A small thorn-free patch at the base forms a star pattern — an identification marker used by experienced buyers.
Seed: Characteristically smaller and flatter on fruit from older trees, meaning more edible flesh per pod.
Honest note: An estimated half of all "Musang King" sold in the market is either not genuine or mislabelled. At Durian Khakha, every variety we sell can be traced back to a DOA registration number from our own orchard at Bukit Serampang.
D197 Variety Specifications
| DOA Code | D197 |
| Also Known As | Raja Kunyit · Koon Poh Wong · 猫山王 |
| Registration Date | 9 December 1993 |
| Origin | Tanah Merah, Kelantan |
| Typical Weight | 1.5–2.5 kg per fruit |
| Flesh Yield | 30–40% |
| Brix (industry reference) | 37–48% (varies by tree and season) |
| Flesh Colour | Turmeric-gold to deep gold |
| Flesh Texture | Creamy, custard-like, low fibre |
| Main Season | June to August |
| Second Season | November to January |
| Price at Khakha | RM35–45 per kg (whole fruit weight) |
Frequently Asked
D197 is the official Malaysian Department of Agriculture code for Musang King, registered on 9 December 1993. It is Malaysia's most iconic premium durian variety — turmeric-gold flesh, custard texture, layered bitter-sweet (gam-pahit) finish.
Thick custard-like texture with strong cream notes, followed by a layered bitter-sweet (gam-pahit) finish. Brix reference 37–48%. Fruit from 30-year-old trees produces more pronounced complexity. Low fibre, very smooth on the throat.
RM35–45 per kg, depending on season and fruit size. We sell by whole fruit weight. We can open the fruit in front of you and scoop the flesh into a container for takeaway or delivery.
Main season June to August. Second season November to January. Availability varies by year with weather. WhatsApp us at +601137999854 to check today's stock.
Durian Khakha sells D197 Musang King direct from our Bukit Serampang orchard at Melaka Mall, main entrance atrium. No middlemen — same-day delivery, opened fresh in front of you.