A feast for the senses at The Datai Langkawi

For The Datai Langkawi's Chef Series, chef Azli Ahmad prepared a main course which included udang asam jawa, a recipe gleaned from the first Prime Minister’s household as well as the rare ikan semilang and kambing masak buah ara. photos: The Datai Langkawi

There was a frisson of anticipation reverberating throughout laidback eatery The Gulai House in five-star luxury resort The Datai Langkawi. It was evident that nearly every single diner there had come to savour the food of one of Malaysia’s best heritage revivalists.

In the open kitchen, chef Azli Ahmad’s face was a rictus of concentration as he added the final touches to a menu that had been painstakingly prepared for a special two-night only five-course dinner, held on April 22 and 23 at The Datai.