SAJIAN SANTAPAN RASA WARISAN AT LE MERIDIEN KL

Over 200 dishes celebrating timeless local flavours will be the focus at this year’s buka puasa dinner at Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur.

 
Spearheaded by Executive Sous Chef Budiman Bistari, the culinary team highlights local herbs and classic dishes of yesteryears hence the Sajian Santapan Rasa Warisan theme.

A notable speciality is Botok Botok, Johor’s version of otak-otak (fish paste) albeit inclusion of more local herbs such as daun kaduk, mengkudu, bebuas, etc. Chef Budiman used tenggiri (Spanish mackerel) flakes to blend with spices and grated coconut then steaming the banana leaf wrapped parcel. Distinctive grassy herbal accents is evident upon the first bite of Botok Botok. A dash of bold spicy sauce dials up its appeal further. 

Threaded on sugarcane skewers, the grilled beef of Daging Kepal Tempayan Berempah, comes stuffed into fluffy soft buns. Layered with fermented cabbage, garlic-chilli sauce, egg mayo, popiah cheese chips and black pepper sauce, the mildly smoky beef ‘sliders’ prove to be a huge flavour bomb.

The kerabu selection is a veritable showcase of locally sourced produce such as tripe, young mango and banana flower among others. My favourite has to be Urap Desa as one of the standouts. Also included is a wide variety of fresh ulam (local herbs) accompanied by sambal, salted egg halves, fried tempeh and salted fish.

Several curries such as Udang & Betik Muda Masak Lemak Putih (prawns and young papaya in creamy coconut milk gravy) and Kerutub Itik Santan Rempah Bawang Wangi (duck stewed with spices, coconut milk and aromatic shallots) also left an indelible impressions. Hearty and deeply flavourful, they’re perfect accompaniments for white rice.

Kambing Bakar Rempah Waqas – a whole roast lamb rubbed with ground cumin, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, star anise and cinnamon – also draws attention. Japanese food lovers can have their fill of sashimi and sushi rolls, piping hot tempura and teppan-cooked seafood. 

Sweets ever after are no less varied, covering a spectrum of local kuih, trad cookies, modern Euro-centric confectionery, fresh fruits and hot dessert broths. 

 
Limited Early Bird Vouchers at RM168 nett per adult and RM78 nett per child (23 Feb-1 Mar), and at RM178 nett per adult and RM78 nett per child (2-15 Mar) are available for purchase from now till 17 February 2026.

 
From 23 Feb to 1 March and 16-20 March, the buffet is priced at RM218 nett (adult) and RM99 nett (child) whilst from 2-15 March, it’s priced at RM228 nett (adult) and RM99 nett (child).

For reservations at Latest Recipe, contact Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, WhatsApp: +6012 602 1367 or email: dining.reservation@lemeridien.com

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.