THE perahu kolek was a boat once used by coastal communities for fishing and short-distance transportation in South-East Asia.
Inspired by this heritage, the culinary team at The St Regis Kuala Lumpur presents its Malam Warisan Melayu Ramadan buffet at The Reading Room.
Just as the perahu kolek journeys from place to place, this buffet invites diners on a culinary voyage throughout Malaysia, offering speciality dishes from different states.
The spotlight on the mains draws attention to a range of gulai and asam pedas offerings, each prepared in the traditional style of its respective states and with local ingredients.
Sambal varieties include Salted Chilli with Local Fruits
Hotel executive chef Norazizi Taslim said the two highlights were dishes that Malays favoured, more so during the fasting month.
“Many people think gulai is curry; it is similar but not the same.
“Curry is intensely spiced and rich while gulai is lighter, more aromatic and popular in Malay cuisine.
Black Raisin with Young Mango, Salted Fish Green Sambal with Local Fruits, Bird’s Eye Chilli with Dried Figs and Dried Shrimp with Stinky Beans.
“Similarly, asam pedas dishes are also preferred by the community.
“With bold sour and spicy flavours, these dishes are often enjoyed during family meals as well as festive gatherings,” he said.
Diners will be spoiled for choice with gulai options featuring Beef Brisket with Bamboo Shoots (Kedah), Musk Duck with Young Jackfruit (Kelantan), Lamb Spare Ribs with Turkey Berries (Selangor), Free-range Chicken with Cassava Leaves (Terengganu), Snapper Fish Head with Green Bananas (Perlis) and River Prawn with Basil Leaves (Pahang).
River Prawn with Basil Leaves.
The asam pedas selection includes Beef Brisket with Turkey Berries (Melaka), Spring Chicken with Ginger Flower (Johor), Mayong Fish Eggs with Bilimbi, Flower Crab with Moringa Beans, Beef Tendon with Banana Blossom, and Catfish with Old Cucumber (Pahang).
With a variety of meat and seafood dishes cooked in gulai and asam pedas forms, it is best to choose the meat you prefer and go from there.
Briyani Lamb with Basmati Rice.
If this variety isn’t enough, you’ll also find the aromatic Briyani Lamb with Basmati Rice and pickled fruit.
The carving station features a Marinated Roasted Whole Lamb that is sure to impress as well.
The lamb is complemented by sauces that include tamarind, mint, Pommery mustard, black pepper and smoked barbecue which add an extra layer of flavour to every bite.
Following the traditional practice of breaking the fast, an assortment of dates is available.
These include Safawi, Mariami A, Ajwa, Mariami AA, Rotab, Egyptian, Mariami B and Rotab Honey.
On the appetisers menu, the kerabu (local salad) specials are a delight for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes.
Looking almost too beautiful to eat, the selection includes Sea Grapes with Kaffir Lime Leaves (Sabah), Smoked Chicken Breast with Ginger Flower, Ketereh Leaves Ulam, and Passion Fruit (Kelantan), Sambal Tempeh with Water Celery and Anchovy (Johor), Kerabu Calamari with Chutney and Kaffir Lime Leaves (Perak), and Satar-Stuffed Bean Curd with Sarawak Pineapple (Sarawak).
Part of the kerabu section.
The signature sambal varieties are also a must-try.
The selection includes Salted Chilli with Local Fruits (Kedah), Dried Shrimp with Stinky Beans (Melaka), Bird’s Eye Chilli with Dried Figs (Terengganu), Black Raisin with Young Mango (Negri Sembilan), Salted Fish Green Sambal with Local Fruits (Perlis), and Shrimp Paste with Sand Ginger Leaves.
Each variation offers a unique and bold flavour, perfect for enhancing any dish.
These sambal varieties are perfectly complemented by an assortment of crackers in fish, tapioca, vegetable and potato varieties that add a satisfying crunch to each bite.
As for desserts, there are plenty to choose from.
Among them are the Pandan Crema Cake, Durian Cream Roll, Tapai Pulut, Tapai Ubi, Sweet Porridge and Sago, and Apam Balik.
The Ramadan buffet is available until March 30.
The buffet is priced at RM298 nett per adult.
The price for children is fixed at RM138 nett per child.
THE READING ROOM, Level 2, The St Regis Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2727 6696). Business hours: 6.30pm-10-30pm.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
