PALATE-PLEASERS APLENTY AT WARUNG PADANG

Possibly West Sumatra’s most popular export, Nasi Padang (rice from the town called Padang) is a specialty of the Minangkabau community. The cuisine encompasses assorted dishes: ranging from hot, spicy curries and milder, flavourful stews to deep-fried delicacies and vegetables cooked in sambal, to complement white rice.

With three decades of experience in Padang food, Chef Pak Isan Santibi now rules the roost at the newly opened Warung Padang by The Majapahit group.

The eatery is pragmatically designed, with a prominent display counter and a glass showcase laden with a mind-boggling array of Padang specialities to leave diners spoiled for choice. Everything looks so tempting, it’s easy to go overboard when you start picking various dishes for your Nasi Padang meal.

Aside from white rice, Warung Padang offers Nasi Padang Plate (RM6.80) – a dish of white rice with blanched cassava leaves, gulai vegetable (veges in spiced gravy), various types of sambal and half a hardboiled egg.

If you are partial to ‘spare parts’, the Gulai Tendon (beef tendon in spiced gravy, RM17.50) and Paru Goreng Balado (fried cow’s lungs with chilli, RM10.10) proffer delightfully toothsome textures amidst varying levels of robust spiciness.

Show-stoppers we’d gladly vouch for include Rendang Daging (RM13.30), sumptuously rich and aromatic Minang-style beef rendang and distinctive Dendeng Daging Balado (RM14.30), Padang-style beef jerky in piquant fried sambal.

Creamy and spicy nuances make the Ayam Goreng Balado (RM13.30) tantalising choices to sample. For extra ‘fire power’ to set your tastebuds alight, the Ayam Goreng Lado Hijau (chicken with fiery hot green chilli, RM13.30) will accomplish that admirably well.

The Ikan Tilapia Goreng (RM15.40) is great for sharing; the fish’s inherent sweetness shining through the sprinkling of crispy fried garlic bits on top of it. Try amping up the taste quotient with dollops of Sambal Hijau Padang (RM3.70) or Sambal Balado Padang (RM3.70).

Balancing the protein selection are the green chilli sambal-laden Terung Sambal Hijau (RM5.90) and Sayur Daun Singkong (a mildly creamy turmeric-flavoured curry with cassava leaves, RM5.90).

 

Jering (Archidendron pauciflorum), otherwise known as blackbead or dog fruit, consists of edible seeds from the woody, globous and deep purple pods. This local herb is sometimes eaten raw as ulam whilst Padang folks adeptly cook the seeds to make Jering Sambal Hijau (RM3.70). The resultant dish tastes rather nice with the seeds’ sulphuric smell undetectable.

For some crunch, Sambal Kering Teri Kacang (RM5.90) –crumbled tempeh (fermented and compressed soy bean cakes) fried with peanuts and pounded chilli make an appetising addition.

Notable options of Perkedel Kentang (fried potato fritters, RM3.10), Telur Dadar Goreng (fluffy fried omelette, RM4.20) and Telur Balado (fried hardboiled egg with red chilli sambal, RM3.10) are also available.

 

Currently, Warung Padang is offering a ‘buy 2 free 1’ deal (subject to terms & conditions) to entice more diners to the new restaurant. Go with a group of friends and you’d have some wallet-friendly savings for your nasi Padang feast.

For reservations, call WARUNG PADANG BY THE MAJAPAHIT, tel: 03 7625 2570. Address: Lot G74, The Street, The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.

IFTAR AT CONCORDE HOTEL SHAH ALAM

Traditional Malay cuisine rules the roost for Iftar at Melting Pot Café, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam this year. After a day-long fast, nothing is more than satisfying than a heart-warming bowl of Bubur Lambuk. The hotel culinary team proffers 3 variants: Bubur Lambuk Ayam Dara Lada Hitam, Bubur Lambuk Daging Batang Pinang and Bubur Lambuk Makanan Laut daily for buka puasa.

Then proceed with appetisers such as Kerabu Sotong Suhun Utara, Stir Fried Green Mussels with Thai Basil, and Kambing Panggang Berempah Bawang Putih to tease the palate.

For main courses, have your fill of Nasi Putih Kukus Pandan Wangi, Nasi Jagung Bergajus, Nasi Briyani Kismis Emas, Nasi Bukhara or Nasi Hujan Panas – flavourful rice dishes to serve as the ideal canvas for robust servings of Kari Kepala Ikan Jenahak Tomato Bendi, Mussels with Dried Chillies, Ketam Masak Cili ‘Chef Mong Style’ and Ikan Patin Gulai Tempoyak.

Bringing a typical Bazaar Ramadan atmosphere to diners, Concorde Shah Alam chefs will dish up popular crowd-pleasers such as Sup Kambing Mamak, Popia Basah, Roti John Mayonis Bersusu, Murtabak, Roti Jala and freshly prepared Keropok Lekur, Pisang, Keledek, and Pisang Goreng as part of the nightly spread.

Of course, buka puasa is never complete without dessert. To sweeten the experience, sample delightful treats of Agar-Agar Buah Peach, Almond Tartlets, Assorted Malay Kuih, Bubur Kacang Hijau, Cendol, Chilled Leng Chee Kang, Chocolate Fountain, Ice Cream and Condiments, in addition to cool bowls of Ice Kacang.

Thirst-quenching Air Bandung, Air Kembang Semangkuk, Sirap Pandan Selasih, Air Tebu, Air Teh Bunga, Nescafe Tarik and Teh Tarik will also be served.

Iftar at Concorde Shah Alam is priced at RM140 nett per adult, RM108 nett per senior citizen and RM70 nett per child aged 5 – 12 years old. Reservations for Iftar made between 23-25 March and 19-21 April will be entitled to special price of RM112 nett per adult and RM56 nett per child.

Special room rates starting from RM180 nett per room per night (Room Only) or RM200 nett inclusive of 2 sahur or breakfasts are available throughout the month of Ramadan.

For Ramadan enquiries or reservations, contact: Ramadan Centralized Counter | Lobby Level, T:03 55208000, HP: 012 289 8103, Email: vasanthi@concorde.net 

For room enquiries or reservations, contact: Room Reservation, Concorde Hotel Shah Alam, T:03 55208000 extn 2500 or 2404, email: reservation-chsa@concorde.net

 

CLASSIC CITARASA NIPAH FOR BUKA PUASA AT EQ

In a constantly changing world, the Citarasa Nipah buka puasa buffet proves some things never change at EQ Kuala Lumpur. Available from 3 April to 1 May 2022, Chef De Cuisine Ali bin Tuwin and the Nipah team will cook up a storm, serving up a cornucopia of timeless kampung delights interspersed with popular Malaysian mainstays throughout Ramadan.

The welcoming enclave that’s Nipah sets the stage for a veritable array of East meets West appetisers: from healthy local salads such as Kerabu Limau Bali and Urap Pucuk Manis to the ubiquitous crowd-pulling seafood bar of fresh oysters, poached prawns and clams.

Expect local thirst-quenchers: Sirap Selasih, Cincau, Soya Bean and Air Jagung among others to be available at the self-service drinks station.

Walking out to the patio area, we found it decked with several stalls to showcase hawker-style specialities cooked a la minute. A whole Kambing Golek, spit-roasted and slice to order, took centrestage. We sampled some of the roast lamb with mint sauce and gravy, and were instantly smitten by the meat’s juicy tenderness.

Another notable pick was Kambing Nasi Beriani Gam Johor – succulent cuts of lamb and rice cooked in a medley of spices. It was satisfying with the spices fully imbued into the rice. As for the Signature EQ Satay – touted by Travel + Leisure as Top Ten Malaysian Dishes You Need To Try - the meaty skewers proved on-point and worth making a beeline for.

Chef Ali and his team also conjured up a varied plethora of hot dishes infused with different combinations of spices and herbs. The buffet will leave diners spoiled for choice, with tempting specialities such as Ayam Goreng Mamu, Daging Rusuk Gulai Kawah, Udang Gulai Nyonya, Ikan Siakap Tiga Rasa, and Gulai Lemak Cili Padi Daging Salai among a bewildering selection of curries and well-spiced dishes.

Having worked our way selectively through the robustly flavoured offerings, we were left replete. After cleansing our palate with sliced fresh fruits, it was time to succumb to the myriad of Pastry Chef Azizul Bin Bistaman’s sweet creations.

Local fruits were the chef's core inspiration, resulting in captivating tastebud-teasers of Durian Choux, Passionfruit and Mango Pavlova, Chempedak Financier, Ciku Cheesecake, and Pineapple Tart Tatin. Those with a penchant for teh tarik will find the Teh Tarik Roulade simply 'tea-rrific'. 

The rich Serawa Durian should appeal to die-hard fans of the thorny fruit while the Middle Eastern-inspired Umm Ali added an exotic touch.

A stalwart in the local hotel F&B scene, Nipah is a hot spot come Ramadan so it’s advisable to make reservations prior to visiting. EQ is offering some attractive deals too as below:

Early Bird Vouchers • RM168+ per adult 

Redemption Period: 3 - 7 April 2022 and 29 April - 1 May 2022 

Available for sale from now until 2 April 2022

 

Group Vouchers • RM188+ per adult

Minimum of 20 vouchers required

Redemption Period: 3 April – 1 May 2022

Available for sale from now until 2 April 2022

Buffet Dinner • 3 April – 1 May 2022 

RM208+ per adult, RM68+ per child age 6-12

Reservations are recommended. Email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com OR WhatsApp: +6012 2789239 OR book via TableApp: https://www.tableapp.com/restaurant/nipah-eq-kuala-lumpur#/