MAKAN MAKAN MALAYSIA AT THE ORIENTAL GROUP OF RESTAURANTS

Paying homage to Malaysia’s treasured ingredients, regional specialities and enduring food heritage, The Oriental Group of Restaurants turns the spotlight on some of Malaysia’s finest produce for its Makan Makan Malaysia: Chapter 1 Grand Dinner series.

 

Scheduled from 17 to 28 August, the special showcase of locally sourced ingredients is adroitly interpreted through the restaurant group’s refined lens of contemporary Chinese cuisine.

An enticing trio of appetisers inspired by flavours from across Peninsular Malaysia leads the way with Smoky Iberico Pork Neck Satay, the chefs’ elevated interpretation of Kajang’s iconic satay.

Succulently tender Spanish Iberico pork neck, marinated in an aromatic blend of spices, is skewered and chargrilled to lightly smoky perfection. It tastes even better with the chunky, rich and perfectly balanced peanut sauce.

Another standout is the Crispy Muar Seafood Otak-otak Roll, where Muar’s celebrated seafood otak-otak takes centre stage. Wrapped in an impossibly light, crisp pastry, every bite seduces our palate with fragrant spice nuances, delicate seafood sweetness and irresistible crunch.

Simple yet surprisingly addictive, the Fire-roasted Cameron Highlands Sweet Corn emphasises the natural sweetness of premium highland corn. Lightly charred then dusted with sesame seeds, chilli flakes and aromatic spices, the juicy corn “ribs” prove addictive.

A refreshing contrast follows with Forest-picked Paku-Pakis Salad with Traditional Dressing. Harvested from our lush rainforests, the crisp fiddlehead ferns are tossed in a refreshing dressing and complemented by crispy cuttlefish, resulting in a wonderfully textured salad that cleanses the palate without sacrificing flavour.

Sarawak’s famed white pepper lends its unmistakable warmth to the Double-boiled Sarawak White Pepper Shark’s Fin in Cameron Highlands White Radish Soup. 

Simmered for eight hours, the exceptionally comforting and gently peppery broth yields generous chunks of Cameron Highlands white radish, shark’s fin and pieces of fresh local pork stomach. A restorative soup that lingers long after the final spoonful.

From the rivers of Tanjung Tualang in Perak comes one of Malaysia’s most prized delicacies – fresh water prawns. The Large Tanjung Tualang Fresh Water Prawns with Chef’s Special Sauce features the magnificent crustaceans sautéed in The Oriental Group’s premium 18-month first-draw light soy sauce and a restrained blend of seasonings. The dark, sticky sauce enhances the prawns’ inherent sweetness instead of overwhelming it.

Steamed Pantai Remis Pomfret, Qilin Style ensures prized pomfret catches from the Perak coast remains front and centre. The fish is expertly deboned and sliced before it’s paired with celtuce, Yunnan ham and abalone slices.

Steamed in the chef’s signature sauce, the fish remains silky smooth and delicately sweet. For added textural contrast, the fish bones are deep-fried until delightfully crisp, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Marinated in a proprietary blend of more than 20 spices and aromatic curry powder before being charcoal roasted, the Signature Nanyang Curry Roasted Suckling Pig emerges with crackling-crisp skin and juicy meat. The distinctive Malaysian curry seasoning lends the classic roast an unexpected yet agreeable twist.

Comfort arrives in the form of Local Organic Free-range Chicken with Ipoh Beansprouts & Melaka Rice Ball. Tender poached organic chicken is served alongside Ipoh’s famously crunchy beansprouts and hand-shaped Melaka-style chicken rice balls.

Unpretentious yet immensely satisfying, the dish pays homage to one of Malaysia’s most beloved culinary traditions while reminding diners true classics never go out of style.

No Malaysian culinary celebration would be complete without Musang King durian. Silky and luscious with a texture reminiscent of panna cotta, the luxuriously smooth Musang King Durian Pudding allows the King of Fruit’s unmistakable richness to shine.

The finale, aptly named Happiness Forever, offers a contemporary interpretation of a classic Nanyang dessert. Beneath its translucent sago pearl-studded exterior lies a delicately soft, mochi-like purple sweet potato layer. At its heart is a winsome filling of gently caramelised gula Melaka and fragrant stir-fried grated coconut, delivering a sweetly befitting conclusion to the meal.

Priced at RM2,600++ per table of 10 persons, the Makan Makan Malaysia: Chapter 1 Grand Dinner will be available at selected outlets of The Oriental Group of Restaurants throughout the promotional period.

More than simply a banquet, this thoughtfully curated menu is a tribute to Malaysia’s rich bounty of local produce and distinctive flavours in a celebration that’s proudly local and unmistakably refined.

For more information and reservations on the Makan Makan Malaysia Grand Dinner series, visit The Oriental Group of Restaurants website: https://www.orientalrestaurants.com.my/home
 

NOBO MAKES SOY MILK TRENDY AGAIN

 

Food meets fashion in a launch to mark the arrival of NOBO soy milk in Malaysia, bringing with it a fresh take on one of Asia’s most familiar staples.

Created by the team behind OATSIDE, NOBO sets out to rethink soy milk for a new generation who cares as much about clean labels as it does about taste and texture.

Founder Benedict Lim shared the thinking behind the product: a meticulous search led them to non-GMO, high-protein soybeans sourced from Canada, chosen for both flavour and nutritional quality.

By packing more soybeans into each serving through their double extraction method, NOBO achieves a creamier consistency and higher protein content without relying on gums, emulsifiers, oils or protein powders. The result is a pared back formulation leaning into the soy’s natural richness.

Each pack delivers 4.2g of protein per 100ml — roughly double that of conventional packaged soy milk, and about 40% more than dairy milk— while keeping sugar levels below 5g per 100ml. A flash-cooling technique also helps dial down the often polarising “beany” aftertaste, giving the drink a cleaner, more approachable profile.

Soybeans have long been a cornerstone of Asian diets, prized for their complete amino acid profile, fibre and healthy fats. NOBO’s approach feels like a modern reset; retaining the nutritional integrity of soy while refining its flavour for contemporary palates.

NOBO stands out with a smooth, lightly roasted note and a natural soy creaminess compared to its shelf-stable counterparts. For those looking for a twist, the NOBO Almond Soy blends the same base with finely ground dark-roasted almonds, adding a subtle nuttiness without overpowering the drink.

True to its minimalist ethos, NOBO teamed up with Vietnam-based label CHAUTFIFTH to create a playful, soy bean-shaped handbag — a functional statement piece available in limited quantities online.

Closer to home, NOBO also partners with heritage name Fung Wong Biscuits and contemporary bakehouse Floccus Floccus to reimagine local pastries through a soy-forward lens. 

The limited-edition creations will be available until 12 April, offering a taste of how NOBO soy milk can elevate everyday flavours. Some of the outstanding creations include Gem Bites, Mochi, Thousand Layers and Soy Silk Curd.

NOBO soy milk will roll out across major retailers and e-commerce platforms nationwide, in both 180ml and 1L packs, heralding the start of a new chapter for plant-based drinks in the region.

For more information, visit https://noboworld.com/ or follow @nobomilk on IG.

 

SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR SHOWCASES MALAYSIAN HERITAGE CUISINE

Certified as Malaysia’s first five-star Malaysian Heritage Cuisine Hotel by Jabatan Warisan Negara (Department of National Heritage), Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur will showcase its specially curated Malaysian Heritage Cuisine Menu at The Lobby Lounge starting now until the end of 2026.

The Seribu Satu Rasa, Satu Warisan launch was officiated by YB Datuk Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Also present at the event were YBhg. Encik Mohamad Muda bin Bahadin, Director General of Jabatan Warisan Negara; Mr. Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II), Tourism Malaysia; and Mr. Sharin Mokhtar, Deputy Director General (Planning), Tourism Malaysia.

Six Shangri-La KL chefs went through formal training on the preparation of authentic Malaysian heritage dishes with Dato’ Chef Ismail Ahmad, Head of Heritage Cuisine at Jabatan Warisan Negara.

The Malaysian Heritage Cuisine initiative is part of Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s 40th Anniversary celebration and a heartfelt tribute to Malaysia’s rich, diverse, and dynamic food legacy as the Hotel gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026.

“Our aim is to enable hotel guests and foreign visitors to enjoy a genuine taste of Malaysia’s soul through Malaysian Heritage Cuisine, weaving together stories of heritage, migration, and celebration” said Daniel Kaeflein, General Manager of Shangri-La KL.

 

Available at The Lobby Lounge, the Malaysian Breakfast (7am -11am) tempts food-loving guests with Nasi Lemak Bungkus (banana leaf wrapped packets of steamed coconut milk rice with sambal, fried anchovies, sliced cucumber, hard-boiled egg and roasted peanuts), Roti Canai (flaky Indian flatbread eaten with lentil curry), Nyonya Curry Laksa (noodles in spicy curry gravy) and Kaya Toast (toasted bread slices with coconut and egg jam) with Soft Boiled Eggs. The Breakfast Culture in Malaysia has been certified as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

More typical Malaysian fare such as Nasi Dagang, Rendang Tok, Roti Jala with Chicken Curry, Laksa Utara (northern style thick rice noodles in tangy fish and tamarind broth and topped with shredded cucumber, pineapple, onion, fresh mint and torch ginger flower), Chicken Rice (poached chicken with fragrant oil flavoured rice and sliced cucumber), Nasi Goreng Kampung (fried rice) and Sup Tulang (lightly spiced beef broth) beckons in the All Day Dining menu (11am – 930pm).

Local snacks and dessert: Colek Buah-Buahan (Malaysian fruit salad tossed with spicy sweet sauce of belacan (prawn paste), sugar, chilli paste and tamarind juice; Cucur Udang (deep-fried chive and prawn fritters accompanied by sweetish chilli dip), Goreng Pisang (fried banana fritters), Cucur Nyiur (coconut fritter balls with palm sugar syrup) and Pulut Serawa Durian (glutinous rice with creamy sweet durian broth) are also included.

To complete the experience, traditional beverages such as Teh Tarik, Kopi Susu, Kopi O, Kopi C, Teh Susu, Teh O, Teh C, Cham, MILO Ais, Teh Halia, and Malaysian Syrup will be served.

 

For dining reservations and inquiries, please contact Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03 2786 2378 or email: enquiries at dining.kl@shangri-la.com