1 week Ago
RAMADAN is a time for gathering, reflection and celebrating shared traditions with food playing a central role. At Charcoal, The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur, this year’s “Kembara Cita Rasa Nusantara” buffet showcases flavours from across the Malay archipelago with a spread highlighting heritage recipes, live cooking stations and local delicacies. Executive sous chef Raduan Ahmad has curated a selection of dishes prepared using traditional cooking techniques by drawing inspiration from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East.
A feature is the Selangor Cuisine Corner presented in collaboration with Highlight Selangor where local specialities rotate daily. Among the appetisers are fresh seafood, including flower crabs, mussels, prawns and clams on ice. “We are collaborating with Highlight Selangor to feature local heritage dishes.
“For example, there are Ayam Percik Sekinchan, nasi ambeng and a few more that are on daily rotation so every visit here can feel different,” said Raduan. Other dishes to expect at this section include sambal taun, wadai kipeng and bahulu kemboja, offering diners a taste of the state’s culinary heritage. The buffet features a selection of speciality rice dishes too that come with distinct preparation methods and regional influences.
Nasi Kambing Kambus Terbalik is a slow-cooked lamb dish served with spiced rice that is inspired by the Middle Eastern mandi rice. (Left) Raduan with the roast lamb which is prepared for the break-of-fast buffet. Then there’s Nasi Kabsah Ayam, a tomato-based spiced rice dish, from Raduan’s personal family recipe collection.
“Nasi Kabsah Ayam has Middle Eastern influences, almost like nasi minyak but it is served with spiced chicken. “I introduced it on the menu for guests to try something personal from my home,” he added. For those looking for something that is synonymous with Selangor, there is nasi ambeng – a Javanese communal platter featuring coconut rice, serunding kelapa, ayam masak kicap and sambal goreng.
An array of meats including satay, seafood and chicken being grilled over an open flame at Charcoal. Another highlight is Nasi Bamboo Kambing Briyani where marinated lamb and rice are cooked inside hollow bamboo tubes, infusing the dish with a distinctive smokey aroma. Then there’s Nasi Briyani Seafood that brings together prawns, squid and fish with aromatic briyani spices for a rich, balanced dish.
Over at the live action station, one can find freshly grilled chicken, beef, fish and prawns as well as satay. A Ramadan staple, the sup gearbox is available daily. “We serve it every day during Ramadan.
It was popular last year so it is back on the menu.” For those wanting slow-cooked curries, the buffet has gulai kawah, prepared in large pots, bubbling with aromatic spices. “Each day, we switch it up.
It might be lamb, beef or other variations. “I envisioned a big outdoor setup but we decided to do it indoors,” he explained. To complete the meal, there is a variety of local and Middle Eastern desserts ranging from traditional Malay kuih to rotatting selections of kunafa and baklava.
“We will rotate items like kunafa and baklava. “Both of these sweet treats at once will be too much, so each day you might see something slightly different,” said Raduan. The “Kembara Cita Rasa Nusantara” buffet is available until March 29.
It is priced at RM180++ per adult, RM125++ for senior citizens and RM90++ for children aged six to 12. CHARCOAL, THE SAUJANA HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Shah Alam, Selangor. (Tel: 03-7843 1234 ext 6122/6013) Business hours: 10am to midnight daily.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro..
