As Ramadan rolls around, DoubleTree by Hilton Putrajaya Lakeside’s Makan Kitchen invites diners to go on a culinary journey dubbed “Around Malaysia in 80 Dishes”, drawing inspiration from the Jules Verne classic.
The buffet dinner proudly displays Malaysia’s cultural tapestry and unique culinary heritage, calling foodies to come forth and savour its delights as it presents cuisine from the country’s 13 states.
In addition to the usual Raya treats, specialities from other cultures will make an appearance, on top of Malay delicacies not commonly found in the Klang Valley.
Curated by executive chef Faizal Abdul Ghani, everyone will find something to love out of the 80 dishes served. And while dining, gaze upon the pristine Putrajaya Lake, or try to catch sight of a hot-air balloon in the sky above!
So, what can you look forward to savouring? Start with the Makan Kitchen Ikan Bakar, which features a gargantuan red snapper served with a side of Nyonya sauce.
Grilled to perfection, the soft, fragrant and flaky flesh is best eaten with a saucy drizzle.
Fond of venison? You’re in luck! The Gulai Daging Rusa Kapur is the dish you’ve been waiting for, with plenty of delicious deer meat to pile onto your plate. It’s rich with flavour, with just the right amount of spice!
Hailing from Terengganu is a seafood dish rarely seen on this side of the peninsula – Ketupat Sotong Ghanu. Certainly different from the ketupat you might be familiar with, the white gravy and chewy squid stuffed with glutinous rice is well worth a try.
Next up is the Masak Lemak Salai Claypot, where guests can savour their choice of protein in a thick, creamy gravy. Smoked duck, catfish, chicken and beef are up for grabs – simply pass your order on to the chef and he will whip up a piping-hot serving for you.
And while it is common for buffets to serve fresh seafood, Makan Kitchen has gone the extra kilometre with its “Seafood on Ice”: fresh pickings from the sea are served with traditional Malay marinades. Choose from Sambal Gesek Prawn, Tom Yam Mussel, and Bamboo Clam Sambal Hijau.
For the health-conscious or vegetarians, fret not as there is plenty of kerabu as well as the “Ulam-Ulaman Putrajaya” station for your green degustation.
Classic Chinese and Indian delights are also available, with chicken rice, char kway teow, and naan ready for the eating.
One must-try is the Kambing Panggang Berempah Sanggai, served with a generous amount of Nasi Briyani Saudagar Arab. The lamb roast is as delicious as it looks and is best eaten with the spiced rice, plus a side of mint or black pepper sauce to further enhance the experience.
Finally, there’s the salmon fish head curry, served with the visually fascinating Nasi Briyani Buluh Telur Puyuh. They are perfect together, the rich curry soaking the fragrant briyani to create a fiery combo.
For dessert, enjoy the selection of delicious fritters: in addition to the usual pisang goreng, there’s also cempedak and keledek (sweet potato) goreng, in addition to numerous cakes and kuih.
To top it all off, diners stand a chance to win two passes for a scenic hot-air balloon ride over Putrajaya Lake!
‘Around Malaysia in 80 Dishes’ runs from April 3 to May 3, 6.30pm-10.30pm. Prices are RM178 for adults and RM89 for children.
Early-bird vouchers are also available for bookings before April 2, costing RM128 per adult and RM64 per child for the dining period of April 3-10.
Reservations are required. To book, call 03-88900000, email [email protected], or visit www.EatDrinkHilton.com.