”Due to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic and the MCO, Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya has decided to cancel its Ramadan Buffet offering this year. Even after the MCO is lifted, the hotel acknowledges that social distancing will still need to be strictly adhered to and as such, for the safety of all guests, the cancellation was inevitable. We hope to be able to serve our guests again soon under safer circumstances.”

– A representative from Hotel Armada

We experienced this Ramadhan buffet before the MCO, but as the representative announced, they will no longer be having their Ramadan Buffet. Since we had already went, however, we thought our experience would still be worth sharing.

For most Malaysians, Ramadhan is the season to feast on food such as ketupat rendang, murtabak, roti jala, lemang, ayam percik, and the list goes on and on.

So, when we got the opportunity to attend a Ramadan Buffet organised by Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya, I jumped on it.

When we arrived, our expectations were challenged. Instead of an extravagant menu, we were greeted with down to earth dishes, much like the ones your parents might cook up. Don’t get us wrong though, that wasn’t a bad thing.

Speaking to a representative from the hotel, they shared that that was indeed the original plan. Rather than weird fusions of flavours, they opted to create dishes that bring the warmth and familiarity of home-cooking.

But because it was a buffet after all, we still struggled to find where to start.

Tastes Like Home

As a fan of soup and rice, I reached out for the Sup Tulang Rusuk, Nasi Briyani and a few pieces of Ayam Goreng Berempah. While what I took might not seem out of the ordinary, they tasted exceptional.

Left to Right: Sup Tulang Rusuk with Nasi Briyani

The Sup Tulang Rusuk had a good amount of spices in it, without being too overpowering. While I personally prefer a saltier soup, my mum would not cook dishes that are too salty in itself.

The Nasi Briyani and Ayam Goreng Berempah is quite a good classic combination. The rice had a healthy mix of cashew nuts, raisins and cilantro in the dish.

I noticed that the dish was slightly cold when I got to it, but that could just be down to me being too busy taking pictures before eating.

After that, I grabbed a few spoonfuls of Paru-Paru Goreng Berlada and Daging Masak Hitam. Both of which were equally tasty, and I didn’t find the Paru-Paru Goreng Berlada too spicy. However, as I am a lover of spice, my threshold might be higher than others’.

Left to Right: Daging Masak Hitam and Paru-Paru Goreng Berlada

If you’re a fan of sotong, they also had a Sotong Masak Lemak Cili Api dish which I found lovely. The sotong wasn’t chewy, but instead had that bouncy mouthfeel to it.

The Star(s) Of The Show

To me, the highlight of the buffet was definitely the Ikan Pari Masak Asam Pedas (a stingray dish). As a fan of the dish, I had to grab a few bites before I ventured to other dishes.

Executive Chef, Chew Teik Chye posing with the Ikan Pari Masak Asam Pedas

The fish was cooked just right, and the best part with eating stingray is that there are no tiny bones to avoid. I could never turn down the chance to have Ikan Pari Bakar whenever I see it.

However, my colleague that went with me enjoyed the Cendol Agar-Agar the most, which was slightly odd considering all the good main dishes, but still totally understandable.

A very popular dish for the night was also the Pucuk Paku Goreng Belacan, which disappeared instantly the moment it appeared. If you’re a fan of crabs, they also offered Ketam Masak Gulai Siam.

Left to Right: Pucuk Paku Goreng Belacan and Ikan Pari Masak Asam Pedas

Starters & Afters

If you’re unlike me and prefer to begin your meal with starters, they had Kerabu Mangga, Kerabu Udang and a few selections of Sambals, Aneka Jeruk and Pasembor.

I must admit that I didn’t get the chance to sample them as, by that time, I already felt quite full, so I went for the desserts instead.

You can mix your own rojak too

The dessert offerings are also nothing to be scoffed at.

That night, they served us a wide variety of desserts that you’d easily find in Ramadan Bazaars. They had: Pengat Nangka with Sago, Ais Cendol with Pulut, Bubur Kacang Hijau and a wide variety of pastries and agar-agar.

Left to Right: Ais Cendol Pulut and Cendol Agar-Agar

Personally, I found the Pengat Nangka with Sago a little too sweet, but if you like nangka, it’ll be right up your alley. I found myself going for the Ais Cendol twice as I can tweak the sweetness level myself.

Overall, the experience of Citarasa Kampungku @ Utara was a pleasant one. We enjoyed the mixture of food they offered, without one feeling too out of place. As they said, it could just be like home-cooking.

It’s unfortunate that the MCO has taken away this enjoyment for many of us, but I believe that come next Ramadhan, Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya will roll out something similar or better.

Citarasa Kampungku Ramadhan Buffet Dinner @ Utara

Address: Hotel Armada Petaling Jaya

Website: https://www.armada.com.my/

 
 
Also Read
adidas has released its lightest & comfiest Ultraboost yet, here’s how it felt on a test run

We review the new adidas Ultraboost Light running shoes in its design, comfort-fit, and weight performance.

Here’s an omakase lunch option in the heart of KL that’s less than RM300

We review Sushi Mew's omakase set for lunch at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang. The meal starts RM268.

What you need to know about ZEN by MEL’s 11-course spring menu, Niisho, at Bukit Jalil

We review ZEN by MEL's Niisho spring 11-course fine dining menu at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. The meal costs RM420/pax.

We had a chance to try Japan’s best-kept seafood secret in KLCC, you can too

Sakana Japanese Dining @ KLCC has a curated menu of fresh seafood from Ishinomaki, Miyagi. Here's our review of the oysters, cod, and more.

Calm your chopsticks, Shishido Ramen’s viral croissant ramen is actually pretty good

This year, Ramen Bar Shishido has released its newest addition, the croissant ramen. We head over to The Gasket Alley to give it a try.

The Westin’s 2023 Ramadhan buffet humbly celebrates its chefs’ fave childhood dishes

We review The Westin Kuala Lumpur's Ramadhan Buffet menu at Bukit Bintang happening from March 24, 2023 to April 19, 2023

One World Hotel has a brand new restaurant space & a MASSIVE Ramadan buffet spread to match

We review Cinnamon Cofee House's Ramadhan Buffet menu at One World Hotel happening from March 23 to April 21, 2023.

What RM100 got us from Ili Pot, a M’sian hotpot delivery service by celeb chef Ili Sulaiman

We review food from Ili Pot, a hotpot and grill delivery service Ili Sulaiman that delivers across the Klang Valley.