SYOK, SELERA, TIMUR AT MOXY PUTRAJAYA’S LEPAK BAZAAR

 

Bold East Coast flavours take centrestage this Ramadan as Moxy infuses its signature playful spirit into the Hotel’s Lepak Bazaar. With headliners such as Nasi Kerabu Lemak Bakar, fluffy blue-hued rice, fragrant with herbs with trad condiments of kerisik (toasted coconut flakes), salted egg, stuffed chilli, sambal, crunchy papadum and lime, it's a match made in heaven paired with the smoky richness of Kambing Golek (East Coast style grilled lamb).

Channelling the laid-back, lively ‘lepak’ vibes of Ramadan bazaars, Moxy reimagines the bazaar experience through contemporary lens in celebration of local flavours, crowd favourites and nostalgic moments. It’s all about lepak, makan and enjoying good company after a day of fasting.

 
From 18 February to 19 March, the Syok Selera Timur Lepak Bazaar invites diners to berbuka puasa with a feast inspired by the beloved tastes of Malaysia’s East Coast, served nightly from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm.

The concept is to reconnect diners with the soulful, comforting flavours of Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang – East Coast states where most of Moxy’s culinary team hails from. Many of the chefs grew up roaming pasar pagi, learning family recipes from their nenek, and embarking on balik kampung drives in anticipation of savouring coconut-rich gravies and smoky charcoal grills. Hence the rotational menus capture the joy (syok), flavours (selera) and spirit of the East Coast (timur).

Start with Aneka Colek Pantai Timur, tempting East Coast street snacks such as crispy Cucur Udang (prawn fritters), chewy Keropok Lekor (fish crackers) and savoury Paru Goreng (fried beef lungs) to whet the appetite.

Move on to heartier fare by sampling comforting Sup Tulang coupled with vibrant Nasi Hujan Panas, colourful rendered rice delicately perfumed with cinnamon, star anise, cloves and nutmeg. 

Compelling East Coast classics to go with it includes Patin Tempoyak (river fish with yellow fermented durian curry), Daging Sambal Hitam Belimbing Buluh (beef in dark sambal and bilimbi), Gulai Kambing Darat (dry goatmeat curry), Sayur Lemak Putih (vegetables in coconut milk) and the fiery Gulai Ayam Kak Wok (chicken curry). Each dish captures the tastebuds with distinctly bold and deeply satisfying accents.

An array of kerabu (local herb salad) including Kerabu Maggi Sotong (instant noodle salad with squid), Kerabu Soohun (glass noodles salad), Kerabu Kaki Ayam (chicken feet salad) and Kerabu Jantung Pisang (banana flower salad) serves as a pleasant counterpoint with punches of acidity and spice.

Familiar Hari Raya favourites also make an appearance. Think Satay, Rendang Short Ribs paired with Ketupat (boiled rice in coconut leaf casings), or fragrant Lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes) served with aromatic Serunding (spiced beef and chicken floss).

Stalls dishing up popular bazaar fare such as Viral French Fries, made-to-order Pasta, Shawarma, Cendol Durian and Aneka Gorengan (assorted fritters) beckon invitingly. 

Sweet endings are equally enticing, with crowd-pleasers such as Goreng Pisang dan Cempedak (banana and chempedak fritters), indulgent Serawa Pulut Durian (glutinous rice with thick durian broth), colourful Kek Lapis Sarawak (colourful layered cake) and a variety of Malay kuih completing the generous Ramadan spread.

 
At Moxy’s Syok Selera Timur Lepak Bazaar, every dish is a harbinger of heritage, memories and the joy of berbuka puasa together.

 
Early bird rates from 17 – 26 Feb is RM99 nett per adult and RM49 nett per child. Regular rates will be RM148 nett per adult and RM74 per child. Marriott Bonvoy members will enjoy 10% off from 27 Feb onwards.

 
For reservations, call Moxy Putrajaya Hotel, tel: 03-832 8111.

GALLOP INTO PROSPERITY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR

 

As the Year of the Horse saunters in, Yun House once again lays out tables to remind us why good Chinese food is as much about feeling as it is about flavour. Executive Chinese Chef Jimmy Wong’s festive line-up hits all the right notes, from customary Yee Sang to a splendid Crispy Roasted London Duck and thoughtfully composed Chinese New Year set menus.

 
From 15 January to 3 March, Yun House is an elegant place to gather family and old friends to toss for prosperity. Chef Jimmy Wong’s famed Yee Sang (from RM188+ per person) is always a crowd-pleaser, but the Smoked Salmon & Black Truffle version feels especially indulgent this year.

 
Pistachios, pine nuts, mini sesame-flecked biscuits and crispy noodles bring plenty of crunch, while thick slices of smoked salmon and freshly shaved black truffle turn the celebratory salad into something luxurious. We daresay it might just be the most indulgent Yee Sang in town.

 
Our meal opens with a refined Four Seasons Combination Platter that sets a stellar pace. The Crispy Roasted London Duck with Herbal Essence is everything you want it to be: succulent meat and crisp skin, with a bright, gently tangy plum sauce tying it all together.

Alongside it, the Crispy Beancurd Roll with Shrimp Paste is delicately light, though we secretly wish for a touch more of that spicy scallop sauce to really let it sing.

 
Then comes Chef Wong’s Premium Abalone Soup with Matsutake Mushroom in Fish Broth. Deeply savoury yet exuding that ubiquitous clear sweetness synonymous with Cantonese cuisine, the delicious soup includes goji berries and bamboo pith for both nourishment and texture.

 
Cleverly elevated by fried preserved vegetables for additional aroma and flavourful depth, the Steamed Grouper Fillet is a winsome highlight. Dried shrimps and luffa melon contribute layers of texture, making each bite more interesting than the last.

 
By the time the Braised Rice Vermicelli with Crab Meat, Ginger and Spring Onion arrives, we couldn’t resist slurping up the sublime dish. This satisfying penultimate course has fine vermicelli soaking up the crab’s natural sweetness and fragrant aromatics beautifully.

Translucent, bead-like nostoc pearls bestows a touch of novelty to the dessert of Butternut Pumpkin Purée with Nostoc Pearls. Rich in proteins (phycobilliproteins), amino acids, and minerals, and known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties in Asian medicine, those tiny gelatinous pearls complement the broth’s creamy sweetness well.

 
Comforting and much cherished Deep-fried Rice Cake with Sweet Potato and Yam heralds a most appropriate ending to a festive Chinese meal at Yun House.

 For reservations, please call Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8888 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com