Food Explorer & Home Chef
Pssst … I found really awesome Negeri food at Kampung Lah. Where? @kampunglah.my – that’s the name of the resto, new in town since last October. A hidden gem, decor is simple, cozy, as if you’ve stepped into someone’s home in the kampung. There’s even …
Looks like Isaan Thai food is trending now as yet another resto jumps on the bandwagon. Formerly serving a fusion of South-East-Asian cuisine, Mera in Damansara Kim, P.Jaya now has an Isaan chef helming the kitchen, serving up more robust flavours and delivering taste notes …
It’s not easy to find a good Malay restaurant that is suitable for entertaining foreign guests which reflects the many facets of Malay cuisine and presents an adventure for the palate.
Adu Sugar in Bangsar, KL is one such restaurant – the food is breath-taking and a joy for the senses. The interior of the resto itself is quite eclectic, showcasing paintings of chef Adu Amran’s family which he painted himself, alongside stuff he’s collected and designed. In fact, it was his artistic renditions on canvas that saw the resto through the pandemic as chef Adu Amran Hassan managed to sell his works of art and that kept them afloat.
Beyond the Balinese vibe in the decor though, the food is distinctly Malay with a spotlight on Johor where Adu hails from. And these days, the menu is 50% vegan as well as he’s looking into plant-based food and healthy eating. Recently, he created vegan belacan (shrimp paste) which he touts tasted 80% like the real thing!
For my first visit, we tried starters such as deep-fried tempeh, ladies fingers and quail, so simple but amped up thanks to amazing sauces. For mains, we had the signature Young Jackfruit Rendang – fibrous yet tender, enriched with rendang herbs, santan and kerisik – quite special indeed. Ikan Asam Pedas was on point with the flavours, sour, spicy all at once. So many other resto fall short when it comes to this dish. The unusual Pucuk Paku Urab had a touch of kencur leaves and ginger, sprinkled over with toasted pine nuts and coconut – fragrant, slightly sour with lime juice, perfect wake me up and palate changer.
The Laksa Johor is a must try, with its herb-rich spicy gravy laden with ikan parang while the pesto rice was the best surprise. Initially, my cousin didn’t want to have this as she said doesn’t sound like authentic Malay food but it is really chef’s spin on nasi ulam using Thai basil, daun kesom and a host of other herbs. It’s so good that you wanna eat this by itself, though it’s also great with the curries.
The next round, I had Nasi Ambeng, a Javanese-influenced rice dish which comes with Ayam Masak Kicap, Puyuh Penyet (deep fried quail), sambal goreng, coconut serunding, fried noodles, fried vegetables, ulam and salted fish. A complete meal by itself, there’s enough to be shared among two or even three people.
Prices here are not to be sniffed at, but then this is not some gerai by the roadside either as there is so much more heart and passion poured into each dish, not to mention the high quality ingredients used. Adu Sugar is the kind of place where it’s a full-on experience – it’s not just about having a meal – you absorb the ambience, drink in the layers of flavour and enjoy each morsel leisurely.
Add: 10A First Floor, Lrg Ara Kiri 2, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. call 03-2201 1441.
For Ramadan this year, EQ’s famed Malay Chef Muhammad Hajral Lisarni has prepared a gastronomic splendour at Nipah. A lavish spread of evergreen flavours that are true to the traditional methods of Malay food preparation, Citarasa Nipah’s buffet features both traditional and innovative takes on …
Omakase restaurants have been growing in popularity and mushrooming all over the Klang Valley. Sushi Mew, having established itself in Hong Kong and Singapore as a purveyor of Japanese cuisine, has opened its doors at The Westin Kuala Lumpur. Just about three months old, it …
Kalamata Cafe may be housed in an ordinary upstairs shoplot in Desa Sri Hartamas, but once inside, one is transported to the Mediterranean, with warm terracotta contrasted against turquoise hues, abstract designed Egyptian carpets on the walls and exotic hanging lamps, providing the ideal ambience. What’s interesting is how the menu offers a fusion of Egyptian and Greek food – strange combination you think at first, but then again, when you go through the menu and ingredients, you learn there are so many similarities between the two cuisines.
To start, we picked the Hummus (RM15) from the menu’s mezze section – smooth and creamy chickpeas went well with the housemade pita bread that came with it, replenishable. The Alexandrian sausages (RM28) – sliced and fried with green chillies and tomato – was juicy and flavourful and another great appetiser.
Mains were vegetarian Moussaka Clay Pot (RM39) – Greek influence – made with eggplant, potato, tomato and bell peppers, layered in between tomato and creamy béchamel sauce on top, sort of like lasagna but using eggplant instead of pasta sheets. There’s also a beef version if you prefer. A bit light on salt but this allowed the natural sweetness of the eggplant to shine.
We also enjoyed the Moroccan Lamb Tangine (RM43) that came with basmati rice. Basically lamb stew with potatoes and carrots, it was not as concentrated as I expected and the fluid gravy was excellent accompaniment with both rice and pita bread. Didn’t seem like much food for the three of us, but we were stuffed.
We had peach juice made from actual peach fruit flown in directly, so it tasted naturally sweet, none of that artificial flavours or sweeteners (RM8). Prices were very decent, in fact, lower than some cafes I’ve come across which don’t even offer half as complex flavours. Kalamata serves wine as well which goes perfectly with their food.
A hidden gem, this place is worth exploring, especially if you have a penchant for the exotic. Authentic flavours, unique ambience and cozy dining space, Kalamata Cafe checks all the boxes.
Add: 5 – 1, Jalan 26a/70a, Prima Ville, Kuala Lumpur. Hp: 017-665 9102
Continuing his French love affair, Chef Andy Choy has opened Doux Doux, his latest foray into desserts. Located inconspicuously above a Chinese medicine shop, who knew a lovely French-inspired pattiserie serving excellent canelé existed? Like most cafes these days, Doux Doux by Chateau Dionne employs …
Guinness Malaysia is back with a month-long celebration to celebrate the good times this St Patrick’s Day. Guinness Malaysia’s 2023 St. Patrick’s celebration, “Our Day to Remember”, is all about bringing fans together to celebrate their loved ones – their true lucky charms – as …
Opened since January 2021, Jade Pavilion managed by Banyan Tree serves pork-free Cantonese cuisine and has become a popular dining destination for both tourists and locals alike. Helmed by Chef Kenny Lee and Chef Dino Lee, the resto honours the classic traditions of dim sum and the art of cooking Cantonese cuisine.
It recently celebrated its 2nd anniversary with vibrant performances inspired by China’s old world charm, as well as an ‘Imperial banquet’ feast for the senses. Guests were treated to vibrant live performances including a vintage Chinese jazz showcase by The Shang Sisters, an exuberant and effervescent Silk Fan Dance as well as an auspicious Lion Dance blessing.
Officiating the event were Rudy Oretti, General Manager, Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur managed by Banyan Tree; Datuk Lee Whay Hoong, director, Lumayan Indah Sdn Bhd; and Adrian Ee, Director of Pavilion Hospitality, Kuala Lumpur Pavilion.
The concept of Jade Pavilion was inspired by the Chinese Imperial Gardens, namely the Summer Palace in Beijing, and features Cantonese delicacies with premium ingredients. Its main highlights are Crispy Duck Skin topped with Caviar, Steamed Sea Treasure Dumpling in Supreme Bird’s Nest Soup, Golden Fried Abalone Mushroom with Sweet and Sour Sauce, and Traditional Beijing Duck, among others. Also available are dim sum varieties such as Steamed Crystal Prawn Dumpling with Sun-dried Seaweed and Coriander, Steamed Glutinous Rice with Chicken and Foie Gras wrapped in Lotus Leaf, and Crispy Pan-Fried Shanghai Buns with Spicy Crabmeat Sauce.
Boasting 8 rooms in total, 2 of which can host up to 20 guests each, the main dining room seats approximately 40 guests – making Jade Pavilion the ideal destination for private events.
Add: 170, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. tel: 03-2117 2888
From press release
The latest upscale restaurant in town serving authentic Chinese cuisine, EMP KL invites food connoisseurs to step back in time and feast like an emperor in ancient times. Located at The Westin KL, EMP KL adds that touch of grandeur reminiscent of imperial China with …