Did someone say (or whisper) ‘Yusuf Taiyoob’? The holy month of Ramadan is coming right up, happening from 5 May to the 3 June. Honouring the religious tradition of breaking fast at sundown, it has become a social custom for all races to gather and enjoy the best of all heritage cuisines. The best way to eat your way through the ABC’s of Malaysian cuisine (as well as the literal and unofficial national desert that is ABC) is at a buffet, so go big or go home:
The hotel is proud to present ‘Royal Cuisine of Pahang’ with the permission of Her Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda The Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, The Queen of Malaysia. Featuring recipes from Her Majesty’s cookbook ‘Air Tangan Tengku Puan Pahang Masakan Tradisional Pahang’, some star dishes include ‘Otak-Otak Kukus’, ‘Rendang Haji Mahmud’ and ‘Ketupat Pulut Sotong and Sambal Pahang’.
Available from 13 May to 4 June at Mosaic at MYR218 per person , or from 13 to 26 May at the Diamond Ballroom at MYR188 per person.
Can’t decide what you feel having for dinner? It’s a classic dilemma, but you’ll find the answer at The Cobalt Room. A wide range of Malaysian cuisine will be served, including signature dishes all the way from Perlis to Penang, and even east to Sabah and Sarawak. These include ‘Asam Pedas Ikan Tenggiri’ from Malacca and ‘Nasi Kerabu’ from Terengganu.
Available from 8 to 31 May from 6.30pm-10pm. MYR118 per adult and MYR59 per child.
With arguably the best buffet in town year long, the fasting month presents a diverse culinary scene ranging from Thai, Japanese to Western Grill and Italian. The highlight is, of course, the local Malay cuisine, especially the rendang and roti john. Contango features two open kitchens for some added dinner entertainment.
Available from 3 May to 6 June 2019. MYR150nett per person.
The hotel is honouring some of the best food found around its artsy and cultured neighbourhood that is Jalan Kamunting. Some star dishes include the famous ayam pedas and beef rendang from Capitol Cafe, as well as MMZ’s sup ekor and sup ayam.
Available from 10 May to 6 June 2019 daily from 7pm-10pm. MYR88nett per person.
Executive Chef Tyson Gee approaches the season with a menu of dishes such as grilled meats and fish prepared by the restaurant’s signature Mibrasa charcoal oven, along with other mains like udang sambal petai, kari ikan with bendi and nasi biryani. And for dessert, get ready to feast on unlimited durian.
Available from 5 May to 3 June. MYR168nett per person. Guests who make reservations before April 30th can enjoy 15% savings when they book.
There’s a system to the buffet here, and it starts with dates flown in from the Middle East. Then, work your way through Penang rojak and gado-gado before finding yourself at the street hawker-style stalls for dishes like satay and apam balik. The Malaysia Classical Traditional Desserts menu has favourites like ais kacang and Hari Raya biscuits.
Available until 9 May to 2 June 2019 from 6.30pm-10.30pm. MYR98nett per adult and MYR40nett per child for purchases until 8 May 2019 / MYR135nett per adult and MYR68nett per child.
The culinary team are cooking up treasured family recipes using their expertise, for nostalgic favourites and everyday classics like ice cream potong, tau foo fa, and roti canai. A dish you have to sample is the ‘Ikan Merah Tiga Rasa Pac Cik Mortaza’ with its sweet, sour and spice notes.
Available from 6 May to 4 June 2019. MYR188 per adult and MYR69 per child on weekdays; MYR158 per adult and MYR55 per child on weekends.
Executive Chef Philip Leong infuses Malaysian flavours into Nobu’s signature style of Japanese-Peruvian cooking. Instead of a buffet, the eatery presents a 4-course menu encompassing a cold platter of dates, crispy shiitake and more, followed by a hot platter of sushi, mushroom and baby tiger shrimp. Options for the main dish include Shiso Crusted Lamb and Salmon Yuzu Butter, before ending on a sweet note with crispy sago, soy caramel banana and coconut mousse.
Available from 6 May to 4 June. MYR280++ per person.
If you’re looking for the biggest buffet in town, this is it. The extensive menu includes ocean prawns with Durian king fruit, ‘Portuguese-style’ banana leaf grilled seafood and bukhara Ramadan. 5% of proceeds from the buffet will be donated to various charities.
Available from 8 to 31 May 2019. MYR150nett per person.
Chef de Cuisine KimKevin de Dood was inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Malaysia and brings his flair for French cooking to present classics like nasi lemak, ikan assam, kari kambing and kari ayam kapitan. At a place this fancy, even the dates are diced with roasted walnut and goat cheese.
Available from 5 May to 4 June 2019. MYR448++ per person with a non-alcoholic beverage pairing at MYR98++ per person.
Start with appetisers like popiah basah, a selection of soups including oxtail and vegetable, and the traditional Malay porridge, bubur lambok. Executive Sous Chef Budiman Bistari adds his own twist to main dishes like ayam kalio with potatoes, udang galah with tempoyak and lemak cili kampong and, daging pesamah utara with rebung and kerisik.
Available from 6 May to 4 June 2019. MYR180nett per adult and MYR90nett per child below the age of 12. Early bird vouchers are available now at MYR128nett per adult and MYR64nett per child.
Vasco’s is putting on a feast inspired by regality, showcasing favourites of the royal families of Perak, Melaka, Johor and more. Some of the meals for a king include ‘Kudapan Putera Arjuna Nestapa’ and ‘Char Kway Teaw Kerang Raja Bersiong’ — all while enjoying silat and gamelan performances.
Available from 5 May to 4 June 2019 from 6.30pm-10.30pm. MYR148nett per adult and MYR100nett per child.
The return of Hotel Equatorial now known as EQ, as well as its restaurant Nipah after the hotel’s extensive makeover is marked with the launch of this year’s Ramadan buffet spread. A classic recipe shared from the hotel back in the 80s is making a comeback; the signature curry laksa, along with other dishes like roasted lamb and ais kacang to satisfy sweet cravings.
Available from 6 May – 2 June 2019 from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. MYR178 per pax.
