SIMPLY COOK-LAH! RECIPE BOOK LAUNCH

 
Recipes contributed by members of Soroptimist International Shah Alam (SISA) Chapter and their close associates were compiled and published into a book by SISA recently.

 
Titled Simply Cook-lah!, the recipe book was launched at Dapurku Café in Setia Alam. While waiting for the launch ceremony to start, we took the opportunity to sample some of the popular items found in the Dapurku menu.

 
Notable dishses include Nasi Ulam Goreng with fried chicken, fish crackers and salted egg, and sambal, and a piquantly spiced Mee Siam with shredded omelette. 

The Curry Laksa is another crowd-pleaser; the rich coconut milk and spiced broth a nice canvas to capture the myriad of textures found in the noodle dish. Standing in contrast is a refreshing Nyonya Salad with Watermelon on a bed of lettuce with a mild cincalok-infused dressing.

 
The event turned out to be an afternoon of good food, a reunion of old friends and the making of new friends. After a short speech by Fadzilah Yasin, President of SISA 2025/2026 (pix below), a simple unveiling ceremony showcased Simply Cook-lah! to invited guests.

 
It was a timely milestone to mark SISA's 30th Anniversary which had the ladies gathered cutting a cake to celebrate the occasion. A mini buffet featuring the specialities found in the book was laid out, effectively bringing the contents to life. Guests had a first-hand taste of the actual recipes such as Savoury Taufufa, Sourdough Cucur Udang, Terung Lawa and Pajeri Nenas Slough.

 
According to Fadzilah, Simply Cook-lah! comprised a collection of SISA members’ favourite recipes; each with its own story to tell. “Simply Cook-lah is also a celebration of heritage, friendship and the bringing of people together.”
 
Priced at RM55 per book, all proceeds from the cookbook sale will go towards SISA projects, CSR initiatives and community aid.
 
For more information on the recipe book, contact DapurKu Cafe, hp: 011-3311-3305. Address: VC G 5, Jalan Setia Murni, U13/51, 40170 Setia Alam, Selangor.

FESTIVE JOY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR

 
Immaculately organised and designed to please a discerning, well-travelled crowd, the festive buffet at Curate melds polished sparkle and restrained nostalgia.

 
The spread of splendid abundance integrates goodies-laden cast iron pots and casseroles, chefs bustling behind cooking stations, lavish food platters replenished constantly, and diners picking the choicest seafood, prime roasts and luscious dessert.

 
Taking pride of place is the stellar seafood counter proffering King Neptune’s oceanic treasures, poached to perfection and laid out on mounds of pristine crushed ice. 

We had a hard time deciding on the fresh catches to land: abalones, lobsters, king crab legs, scallops, mussels or prawns? Truly, we want them all whilst nigiri and rolled sushi as well as precise slices of sashimi beckon invitingly from the adjacent Japanese station.

Comforting centrepieces of roast beef and lamb leg, and turkey draw traditionalists. On the side, roasted vegetables, stuffing and giblet gravy await.

 
Exotic influences from different corners of the world appear in spice-laden servings of Moroccan lamb tagine, Greek moussaka and Indian butter chicken, competing with European specialities of seared duck with orange reduction, roasted chicken scarpariello with grilled herbed sausage, turkey salad with cranberries and chestnuts, and beluga lentil salad with smoked duck.

Cheese lovers will be stoked to know an international cheese selection accompanied by assorted fruits, nuts, seeds and dried fruits is part of the palate-pleasing festive parade.

Dessert captures the playful side of Curate with irresistible apple sticky toffee pudding, pain d’epices, walnut pound cake, panettone, chocolate madeleines, berry financiers and pecan pie leading the charge. Familiar and inventive treats such as stollen, white forest cherry white chocolate cake, hazelnut passionfruit slices and crimson Santa-hat tarts are bound to delight.

Generous, polished and reassuringly familiar, festive dining at Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur has enough finesse to raise the bar on your Christmas and New Year celebration. That's perhaps the greatest luxury of all.
 

Festive Buffet at Curate

December 1-23	Lunch 12pm – 3pm	RM200+ per person
December 1-23	Dinner 6pm-10pm	RM260+ per person
December 26-30	Lunch 12pm – 3pm	RM200+ per person
December 26-30	Dinner 6pm – 10pm	RM260+ per person
Sunday Brunch	12.30pm – 3.30pm	RM238+ per person
Christmas Eve December 24	Dinner 7pm – 11 pm	RM318+ per person

 

Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner

In addition to the culinary extravaganza, expect Christmas carollers and a visit from Santa Claus. Special beverage packages available for guests to elevate their experience with fine wines and artisanal spirits.

Christmas Day December 25	Brunch 1pm – 4pm	RM318+ per person
	Dinner 7pm – 11pm	RM288+ per person

 

New Year’s Eve Dinner  

A gastronomic adventure with Four Seasons chefs in action, featuring a dazzling spread of signature flavour-bombs and global specialities.

New Year’s Eve December 31

Dinner 7pm – 12am

RM500+ per person

 

New Year’s Day Brunch and Dinner

Begin the New Year with joyful bites whilst creating cherished memories with loved ones.

New Year’s Day January 1, 2026	Brunch 1pm – 4pm	RM288+ per person
	Dinner 6pm – 10pm	RM288+ per person

 
For more information or reservations at Curate, call: 03-2382 8602 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com

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.