DESTINASI RASA AT LE MERIDIEN PUTRAJAYA

 

Variety is the spice of life at Le Meridien Putrajaya’s Destinasi Rasa for buka puasa (breaking of fast) come 1-29 March. Highlighting traditional specialities alongside contemporary dishes from different corners of the world, the Hotel’s culinary team showcases our rich culinary tapestry through familiar favourites curated from the Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Buka puasa staples such as Bubur Lambuk, Assorted Dates, Kerabu Sotong Jantung Pisang, Kerabu Betik Muda, Umai Sarawak, Kerabu Mangga Sotong, Ulam-ulaman, Sup Kambing Mamak and Sup Tulang Rusuk among others are ideal choices to break your day-long fast.

More substantial fare will focus on perennial bazaar Ramadan favourites such as Murtabak, Kambing Carik with Biryani Rice, Satay Chicken and Tripe, Satar and Otak-otak, Gulai Kawah, Ayam Masak Hijau, Kambing Masak Jintan, Portuguese Style Ikan Bakar, and Ayam Percik.

 

Crowd-pullers from different corners of the world will include Roast Duck and Sesame Chicken, Sushi, Sashimi and Tempura Selection, Black Pepper Lamb Fillets, Fish Curry, Oyster Omelette, Indian Lamb Curry, Fried Yong Tau Foo, Gado Gado, Continental salads, and a Chilled Seafood Bar heaving with flower crabs, prawns, oysters, mussels and slipper lobsters.

Pre-Hari Raya vibes can be savoured through servings of Ketupat, Lemang, Serunding, Rendang and Kuah Kacang.

 

Conclude your buka puasa meal with a cornucopia of luscious dessert: Malay Kuih, Sago Gula Melaka, Serawa Durian, Mango Mousse, Red Velvet Cake, and Walnut Banana Cake with Cream Cheese just to mention a few.

 

Early Bird Offer: Reserve before 1 March to enjoy special rate of RM178 nett per adult and RM89 per child (5-12 years old). Normal price is RM208 nett per adult and RM104 nett per child.

For reservations, please call Le Meridien Putrajaya, tel: 03 8689 6888/6862 or WhatsApp: +6012 4073101 or email dining.lmputrajaya@lemeridien.com

 

CNY SHOWCASE OF KL’S CHINATOWN BEST HERITAGE FOOD

Speciality dishes and delicacies from 18 of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown famed restaurants, bakeries and street food vendors take centrestage at the ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner, Chinatown KL 2025’ initiative this year.

 

Only four tables of 10 persons will be available from 25 January to 16 February (except 29-31 January), to cater for the customary family reunion meal, and subsequently for Chinese New Year dinner from 7 pm onwards nightly.

Scheduled to be held at the original premise of Seong Ying Chai, a ‘lou chiu pai’– an established bakery since 1935 – behind Jalan Sultan, KL, the *festive dinner commences with Golden Pear Yu Sheng from Westlake restaurant as the auspicious curtain-raiser.

 

Assorted ingredients: fried yam strips, colourful pickles, freshly shredded pear and vegetables, pomelo sacs, candied peel, toasted sesame seeds and ground nuts evoked that cherished nostalgic taste, pulled together by a tart-sweetish plum sauce.

Leonard Lee, manager of Seong Ying Chai, informed us ‘ma chao’ chicken is the poultry of choice for Kam Kee’s Hainanese Steamed Kampung Chicken. Served with house concocted chilli and ginger sauces, the scrumptious offering enticed us to return for additional helpings thanks to its bright yellow skin and splendidly tender texture.

A bowl of downhome Fish Paste and Malabar Spinach Soup from Sai Kee left us gushing over its clear broth brimming with handmade fish balls, Malabar spinach and clumps of ‘egg drop’.

A culinary stalwart in Chinatown, Sze Ngan Chye has drawn legions of customers as long as I can recall. Hence it's only befitting Sze Ngan Chye’s Signature Salted Duck is slotted into the menu. Dipped into savoury bean sauce, the duck’s slight gaminess added to its allure.

Topped with freshly chopped coriander, the on-point doneness of Han Kee’s slippery smooth and soft Steamed Fresh Fish (patin) augmented by house-made with soy sauce and aromatic oil, ticked all the right boxes for us.

Prosperity Pork Trotters with Seamoss (fatt choi) from Hong Ngek drew gasps of delight as we eagerly relished the juicy, fall-of-the-bone tender meat smothered in viscous collagen-rich, seamoss-threaded sauce.

Two vegetarian dishes, Stir-fried Lotus Root with Celery from Voila and Vegetarian Kottu Roti from The Lankan brought a balance spin to the meat-centric menu.

The former comprised lightly sauteed lotus root slices with sweet peas, celery, cashews, red and green capsicums; beguiling for its delicately clear flavours.

True to our Malaysian Muhibbah spirit, aromatically spiced kottu roti – a popular Sri Lankan street food staple of chopped roti, vegetables, and spices – lent an unexpectedly welcome contrast to the proceedings.  

Kiew Yee Baru stepped up to the plate with the perennial Cured Meat Claypot Rice: a huge serving of chunky liver and pork waxed sausages, waxed duck atop rice sprinkled with chopped spring onion. Finished with a drizzle of the house mixture of soya sauce, this speciality will surely leave everyone replete.

Finishing the meal on a pleasantly sweet note will be Seong Ying Chai’s classic Almond Tofu Pudding in the famed Air Mata Kuching from Luo Han Guo Longan Dessert. We love how the combo refreshed our palate after the intense riot of flavours.

Liu Bao Aged Tea from Kean Gun Tea Merchants will keep cups filled throughout dinner whilst Cold Brew Tea from Montea in addition to Cranberry Muffins from Aooo will complete the dining experience.

The ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner’ initiative by Persatuan Rakan Budaya dan Pelancong Kuala Lumpur & Selangor is co-organised by Seong Ying Chai and supported by YB Tuan Fong Kui Lun, MP for Bukit Bintang.

Guests can also purchase a special 8-Treasure Box (RM188 each) consisting of Seong Ying Chai’s Lion Head Gong Zai Bing (baked pastry with pandas lotus paste), TK Lim’s Sliced Meat Jerky, Sweet Potato Ball’s Fried Peanut Dumpling, Ho Yoke Kee’s Lucky Candy, Washington’s Golden Grill Sponge Cake Rusk, Chai Huat Hin’s Dried Persimmon, Machi Popo’s Black Sesame Puff and Fung Wong’s Mini Walnut Cookies.

Priced at RM1,388 nett per table of 10 persons, table reservation for the ‘Jom Celebrate Reunion Dinner, Chinatown KL 2025’ must be made at least 3 days in advance on first-come-first-serve basis via mobile no: 011 1179 9082 or 016 3810 810. 

*Kindly take note necessary changes to the set menu are anticipated with substitutions offered by the 21 participating vendors.

FESTIVE CNY FEAST AT SUMMER PALACE

Three festive set menus designed to usher in prosperity, happiness, and good fortune for Chinese New Year celebrants beckon at Summer Palace, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel this year.

At a recent media review, we savoured the indulgent Good Fortune Set (RM2,688 nett per table of 10 persons with a complimentary bottle of wine).

 Everyone participated in the tossing of the house made Tuna Yee Sang with Crispy Fish Skin and Mixed Pickles. The colourful array of shredded vegetables and pickles also had pumpkin crisps and deep-fried fish skin for additional crunch.

 

A treasure trove of King Neptune’s best: sea cucumber, dried scallops, abalone and fish maw ensured the sublime Buddha Jumps Over The Wall Soup with Morel Mushrooms superbly memorable. We love the complexity and savoury depth of each spoonful of the soup.

 

Subtle herb accent was discernible when we tried the Roasted Duck Marinated with Tong Kwai, Star Anise and Cinnamon in Truffle Sauce. Tender and juicy to the bite, the distinct truffle sauce amplified the dish’s tasty appeal.

Another luxe serving of Fried Lobster with Premium Golden Pumpkin Sauce and Sea Prawns with XO Sauce left us smiling from ear to ear. The delicate flavour of pumpkin sauce complemented the naturally sweet lobster meat whilst the more piquant XO sauce bestowed zingy heat to the prawns.

Crispy Bean Crumbs and Japanese Kikkoman Soya Sauce lent textural interest and subtle flavour to the Steamed Tiger Garoupa. It was a creative and welcoming touch, differentiating the steamed fish from the usual tried-and-tested soya sauce, minced ginger and spring onion version.

The Stewed 5-head Abalones with Black Pearl Sea Cucumber, Sea Moss and Dried Oysters tasted a tad underwhelming. Not sure if the earlier dishes had overwhelmed our tastebuds. Still, the varied textures proffered hit the spot so it wasn’t a complete loss. 

My favourite dish was snagged by the soul-satisfying Steamed Rice with Smoked Duck in Claypot. It’s less greasy than the customary waxed meat version yet chockful of appetising flavours, inducing repeat helpings.

 

A generous bowl of fuschia hued Chilled Dragon Fruit Cream with Sago and Bird’s Nest brought dinner to a sweet conclusion. We like the dessert broth’s mild sweetness; it made a nice pairing with the Fancy Double Combination of mochi-type balls and another of deep-fried balls studded with puffed rice pearls.

 

Diners can also opt for the Prosperity Set at RM1,888 nett per table of 10 persons with a complimentary bottle of wine, or the Happiness Set at RM2,188 nett per table (10 persons).

For reservations at Summer Palace, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, please contact tel: 03-8949 8888 ext. 1333 or WhatsApp: +6011 56855608.