KAZUMA PROFFERS CHRISTMAS BENTO AND A TOAST TO SHABU SHABU

Pristine Japanese flavours play a central role at Kazuma restaurant this festive season. On 24 and 25 December, celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with an exquisitely composed Christmas Bento (RM115 nett) for lunch or dinner.

 
Set within a multi-compartmentalised lacquer box, diners will be besotted by delicate morsels in vibrant colours; rendering well-balanced, palate-pleasing flavours.

 
Fresh, melt-in-your-mouth succulence of the Sashimi Trio of Hamachi, Salmon, and Maguro serves as the opening volley. Take your time to appreciate the precise cut of each slice before savouring the different fish’s refined nuances.

 
Punching above its weight is Kuruma Ebi Fry – a plump, sweet tiger prawn sheathed in golden and airy-light batter. Biting into that feather-weight panko coating then segueing to the crustacean’s inherent sweetness is an unforgettable sensorial experience. TBH, the speciality is delicious on its own but the accompanying sauce takes it to another tantalising dimension.
 

We love how the chef boldly infuses a whisper of bird’s eye chilli heat into his Spicy Unagi Tempura Roll. That unexpected jolt of fiery accent emanating from the lightly battered roll of smoky grilled eel cements it as a definitive trail-blazer.

 
The Grilled Snapper adheres to true-blue Japanese simplicity, giving you a choice of having the mild and flaky fish glossed over with teriyaki sauce or uplifted with the savouriness of shioyaki (salt), allowing the fish’s natural sweetness to shine.

 
Comforting and moreish, the chunks of Tori Nanban – juicy fried chicken topped with creamy Japanese tartar rounds off the curated selection for Kazuma Christmas Bento nicely.

Special Shabu Shabu Set for New Year’s Eve & 

New Year Day

 

As the year winds down and new beginnings approach, warm your spirits with a hearty, soul-comforting Japanese Shabu Shabu (RM150 nett per person) for lunch or dinner on 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

 
Start with Zensai, a delicate pairing of fresh oyster and unagi sumono. The dual appetiser teases the tastebuds with their ethereally light and bright, appetising flavours.

 
By contrast, the Tuna Melon Sashimi proves to be quite the show-stealer thanks to the delightful match of slightly seared tuna and juicy melon. We couldn’t get enough of the savoury-sweet flavour pairing.

 
Warm and soothing Ikura Chawanmushi offers comfort in a cup. Who could resist spooning up silky steamed egg custard elevated with glistening pearls of salmon roe bursting with briny richness?

 
The crisp outer coating of batter yielding to tender, juicy prawn ensures the classic Ebi Tempura scores on the appeal scale. It’s the perfect precursor to the main star of Shabu-Shabu Nabe.

 
Swirl the slices of premium Australian sirloin in a flavourful kombu-based broth brimming with assorted fresh vegetables: leek, Napa cabbage, onion, carrot, celery, mizuna and enoki in a rustic claypot. Hearty and celebratory, it’s the perfect dish for bidding farewell to the existing year whilst welcoming the upcoming new year.

 
Whether you’re gathering with family or catching up with friends, Kazuma Christmas Bento and Celebratory Shabu Shabu will undoubtedly evoke warm happiness and abundant joy through the timeless charm of Japanese culinary traditions.

For more information and reservations, call Kazuma restaurant, tel: 03 -2149 2666 or WhatsApp: 012 399 4792.

HOLIDAY FESTIVE FLAVOURS AT SOFITEL KUALA LUMPUR DAMANSARA

An astonishing 40-kilogram Baked Beef Leg Wellington commands attention the minute we entered Kwee Zeen, to partake in Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s Art de Vivre festive buffet.

Like a grand opera overture, the monumental creation of burnished pastry enfolds the huge leg of tender beef; setting a seductive tone for even the most well-travelled palate.

Earlier, roving Christmas carollers warmed our hearts with lively Yuletide renditions along with chilled mocktails.

We then waded into a shimmering oceanic bounty: towering displays of Boston and rock lobsters, crayfish, Alaskan king crab legs, springy prawns, snow-white scallops, and plump Irish, American, and the celebrated French ‘Fin De Claire’ oysters – each exuding its own saline dialect of the sea.

Japanese sashimi and sushi also made waves with us while a whole baked salmon shared the limelight with an on-point repertoire of French pâtés and artisan antipasti: smoked beef, beetroot-cured salmon, chicken liver terrine with smoked cranberries, and air-dried beef.

Enjoy the novelty of sampling turkey Wellington (the deliciousness is worth the calories) before proceeding to sample heartwarming platters of roasted honey & rosemary-glazed turkey, roasted prime rib or roasted rosemary chicken.

Offering a whistlestop culinary tour around the world are duck confit, saffron-scented seafood paella, braised short ribs with pomegranate, and creamy Mornay-baked broccoli and cauliflower.

Local specialities such as salted egg prawns, Singapore chilli crabs, steamed seabass, masak lemak tiger prawns, Goan fish curry, sambal sotong petai, short ribs rendang and ayam masak merah also make their presence felt. A timely reminder of Malaysia’s instinctive generosity at the table.

Traditional Christmas cookies, Yule logs, chocolate pralines, fruity stollen, frosted financiers, red bean dessert broth, assorted kuih and delicate French pastries are the sweet meal-enders to look forward to.  

On Festive Sundays (12.30pm–3pm), brunch extends into a leisurely celebration: seafood on ice, made-to-order pastas and eggs, wood-roasted vegetables, bright Malaysian sides, a handsome cheese and charcuterie array, and a dessert counter heaving with Yule logs, cookies, and petite pâtisserie.

Children will find joy in their own play corner whilst adults may opt for two hours of free-flow wine, beer, sparkling, or champagne to toast to the season.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bring the full pageantry of the holidays: jubilant carollers and a carvery perfumed with warm spices and crisp, golden roasts. The finale of delightful Yule logs, mince pies, gingerbread will invariably conjure up good memories and seasonal magic.

Prices begin at RM108+ for Festive Lunch, RM138+ for Festive Sunday Brunch, RM168+ for Festive Dinner, and RM228+ for the signature Festive Seafood Dinner.

Christmas Eve Dinner (24 Dec) and Christmas Day Mega Brunch (25 Dec) are RM228+, while Christmas Day Dinner is RM188+.

Ring in the New Year with Sofitel’s characteristic joie de vivre: a New Year’s Eve Dinner (31 Dec, RM228+) followed by music and midnight confetti, and a restorative New Year’s Day Brunch (1 Jan 2026, RM138+).

For home celebrations, the hotel offers an impressive roster of festive takeaways. Choices range from honey & rosemary glazed turkey, baked beef or salmon Wellington, peppercorn-crusted tomahawk, roasted lamb leg, and luscious Yule logs.

Orders may be placed via WhatsApp: +6017 511 7725 or email HA123-FB@sofitel.com (24-hour advance order and pre-payment required; pickup or delivery available).

Guests who reserve by 5 December enjoy 25% early-bird savings (blackout dates apply).