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.

SIZZLING GOOD TIME AT HANAM BBQ

 

Pork cuts cooked at tableside. Unlimited refills of kimchi, lettuce and marinated wild garlic leaves. Fluffy steamed egg and Korean tofu stew on the side. As far as first impressions go, Hanam BBQ knocked it out of the park from the get-go.

My belated birthday treat – an unforgettable, slap-up Korean bbq lunch – comprised a superb good-value set at RM175++. It comprised 360g pork belly, 180g collar butt and 150g jowl meat; ample enough to leave our party of four replete.

We also ordered Soft Tofu Stew (RM30++) and Steamed Egg with Flying Fish Roe (RM20++) in addition to a serving of rice (RM6++). 

Hats off to the service team for taking such meticulous care in grilling the three different pork cuts. It was nice not having to lift a finger.

Not only did they patiently grilled everything in an orderly manner, they even stacked up the pieces of cooked pork nicely. The tilted grill pan had a spout to drain off excess oil; that flowed into a paper cup.

When the kimchi was being cooked, we dug into the fluffy, piping hot steamed egg. So delicious! The two types of kimchi were so appetising we asked for repeat servings.

Two signature offerings stood out at Hanam BBQ: the tangy, refreshing condiment of Calamansabi (calamansi with wasabi) and tangy-sweet Myeonginamul (marinated wild garlic leaves) lent a distinctive dimension to the bbq pork.

All the meaty richness were offset by the pleasantly piquant Soft Tofu Stew. A moderately spicy broth made with gochujang and gochugaru, it had a hodge-podge of sliced cucumber, soft beancurd, oyster mushroom sliced leek and onion, and an egg to give textural substance.

It was fun, slurping up the stew as we took our time savouring the bbq pork pieces wrapped in fresh lettuce. Raw garlic slices, house gochuchang paste, calamansabi and sesame seed-flecked salt dip along with more cabbage as well as chives and lettuce kimchi enabled us to create multiple variations of our little lettuce and pork wraps.

 

Overall, it was a splendid experience as the restaurant’s efficient ventilation system ensured we didn’t leave imbued with bbq fumes.

HANAM BBQ, B-019, The Starling Mall, 6, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya Selangor

TIME FOR HILTON HOLIDAY FEASTS

 

Specially crafted menus, exciting giveaways, family-friendly activities, fine wines, and decadent desserts are highlights of Hilton Holidays, from 15 November 2024 to 1 January 2025.

Vasco’s beckon with celebratory spreads of international and Asian-inspired roasts, seafood, live cooking stations, and classic holiday desserts. Santa and Santarina bearing treats, carollers and a Santa’s Grotto add to the merriment.

• Weekday Festive Buffet Lunch: Sun to Thurs (12pm - 230pm) at RM158 nett per adult; RM78 nett per child (6-12 years old)

• Weekday Festive Seafood Buffet Dinner: Sun to Thurs (630pm - 1030pm) at RM198 nett per adult; RM98 nett per child (6-12 years old)

• Weekend Festive Buffet Lunch: Fri and Sat (1230pm - 3pm) at RM188 nett per adult; RM98 nett per child (6-12 years old)

• Weekend Festive Super Seafood Buffet Dinner: Fri & Sat (630pm-1030pm) at RM238 nett per adult; RM118 nett per child

Gather on Christmas Eve (24 Dec) to savour show-stopping creations by the Vasco’s team. Australian Wagyu Whole Beef Leg roasted over 12 hours with Dijon Mustard Jus is one of the top draws. 

Notable choices we’d recommend are the luxe up, silky smooth Truffle Egg Custard & Foie Gras, tender Aussie Organic Beef paired with tangy-sweet Sambal Strawberry, scrumptious Classic Baked Slipper Lobster and US Oyster Thermidor, Live Grill Teppanyaki with assorted meats and seafood, Duck Legs Confit à l’Orange and more.

• Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (630pm - 1030pm) at RM318 nett per adult; RM118 nett per child

• Christmas Day Lunch (1230pm - 3pm) at RM318 nett per adult; RM128 nett per child

Christmas Day headliners range from fresh catches of Sabah Reef Lobsters to delicious Lobster Bisque Pasta, Caviar Blinis, Honey Glazed Roast Jumbo Chicken with Cranberry Sauce, Smoked Stuffed Mushroom BBQ Lamb Shoulder, Roasted Truffle London Duck Rolls and more.

• Christmas Day Dinner (630pm - 1030pm) at RM268 nett per adult; RM118 nett per child

Sparkling New Year’s Eve (31 Dec) temptations such as Grilled Kushiyaki Skewers and Steamed Black Cod, Baked Hokkaido Scallop with Avruga Caviar, Salt Crusted Tasmanian Salmon, and Signature Cheesy Beef Escalope Roulade among others await New Year’s Eve revellers.

·       New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner (630pm - 1030pm) at RM318 nett per adult; RM118 nett per child

Australian Grain-Fed Prime Ribs with Yorkshire Pudding, Lobster Rolls with Yuzu Mayo, Large Seafood Paella, Baked Hokkaido Scallops, Turkey Pot Pie and a myriad of other festive eats will be among the palate-pleasers to welcome a brand New Year.

• New Year’s Day Lunch (1230pm - 3pm) at RM198 nett per adult; RM98 nett per child

Early bird bookings at Vasco’s made before 30 November will enjoy 20% off group dining for up to 10 guests. Blackout dates may apply.

For Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s festive offerings at all participating outlets, reservations or inquiries, please contact tel:03-2264 2264 or visit EatDrinkHilton.com