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.

JOYEUX ELEGANTE FESTIVE FEASTS AT LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

Embrace the magic of Le Méridien Putrajaya’s Joyeux Élégante highlights this festive season. An impressive celebration of flavours, textures, and holiday indulgence by the Hotel’s culinary team aims to entice diners to savour every moment.

The extravagant spread is curated for every food lover; from ardent seafood enthusiasts and meat lovers to local fare fans and dessert die-hards.

Seafood starters steal the spotlight from the get-go. Heed the siren’s song of show-stopping selection proffering fresh oysters, snow crab legs, prawns, crayfish, scallops and mussels heaped on glistening ice and begging to be enjoyed.

We unashamedly tout going for slipper lobsters, snow crab legs, and fresh oysters. Their clean, natural and pristine ocean-fresh flavours will reel you back repeatedly.

Over at the salad and appetiser section, sample rosettes of salmon gravlax accompanied by fresh micro greens and condiments. Enjoy the mildly briny salmon’s supple succulence before diving for richer offerings. In addition, a wide array of sashimi, Japanese maki rolls and nigiri sushi beckon invitingly in various guises and rainbow of colours.

 
No year-end celebration is complete without platters of prime roasts and carvery. Choice picks to wolf down include baked Wellington lamb encased in airy-light, golden puff pastry, tender and perfectly seasoned roast Angus prime rib, classic roast local turkey with spices and delicious baked almond pistachio crusted salmon.

Soul-satisfying baked oysters and scallops topped with splendidly creamy-rich crust prove their appetite-whetting worthiness whilst fork-tender and heartwarming beef cheek goulash promises untold hearty comfort in every bite. Our favourite stand-out is that delectably sweet-savoury duck breast with apple compote.

Rustic temptations of tomato and mushroom bruschetta, prawns and chicken terrine, slices of smoked duck and chicken as well as beef pastrami stand cheek-by-jowl alongside an international cheese board and a myriad of fresh greens, chick peas, legumes and salad condiments.

Diners can practically traverse the world on a plate with the assortment of tempura, nourishing clam and corn chowder, oven-fresh pizza, roast golden duck and Chinese-style kam heong prawns, lamb varuval and chicken shawarma among others laid out at different nooks and sections.

For the ultimate sweet finale, succumb to colourful and decadent treats of chocolate cherry yule log cake, spiced banana cake, gingerbread men cookies, fruity jellies, macarons, chocolate mousse, pralines, mince pies, ice cream and skewers of fresh fruits to be dipped into melted chocolate.

If you’re looking for a festive dining experience brimming with memorable warmth and abundant indulgence, Le Méridien Putrajaya’s Joyeux Elegante is a compelling choice from start to finish. Prices and timing as below:
 
La Fete Lunch
1 December to 31 December 2025 

Weekday 12pm to 2.30pm
RM148 nett per adult, RM74 nett per child
 
La Fete Brunch
1 December to 31 December 2025
Weekend & Public Holiday, 12pm to 3.30pm
RM158 nett per adult, RM79 nett per child
 
La Fete Dinner
1 December to 31 December 2025
Weekday, 6.30pm to 10.30pm
RM168 nett per adult, RM84 nett per child
Weekend & Public Holiday
RM188 nett per adult, RM94 nett per child
 
Christmas Eve Dinner
24 December 2025 6.30pm to 10.30pm
RM198 nett per adult, RM99 nett per child
 
Christmas Day Brunch
25 December, 12 noon to 3.30pm  
RM178 nett per adult, RM89 nett per child
 
La Fete Elegante at Latitude 02
1 December to 31 December, 2pm to 6pm
RM168 nett per set for 2 persons

For reservations and inquiries, contact Latest Recipe, Le Meridien Putrajaya, tel: 03-8689 6888 or email: dining.lmputrajaya@lemeridien.com.