Although Chinese New Year hasn’t even begun yet, another festivity is coming up around the corner—Ramadhan. This year, Ramadhan is expected to start on March 12, which is only a month away.
With that in mind, it might be time to start thinking about iftar options.
Recently, we were invited to MiCasa All Suite Kuala Lumpur’s Shiso Dining to enjoy a preview of its upcoming Ramadhan buffet. Named Citarasa Khazanah, the spread is designed to evoke nostalgia with its classic “Old Time Malay Cuisine”.
To start, there’s the DIY fruit rojak section with fruits like jambu air, pineapples, guava, kedondong, jicama, and more. Personally, I felt like the sauce lacked depth and some umami, but it overall still made for a very refreshing dish.
Some of our favourites of the evening were the Red Snapper Fish Curry as well as the Asam Pedas Oxtail. Both were fragrant, flavourful, with the latter having more of a spicy kick.
The fish curry was just the right amount of creaminess without being too rich, and the fish was soft and supple, albeit a bit bony, so be mindful while eating.
With the oxtail lending a rich and uniquely deep flavour, the asam pedas felt elevated and had a silky mouthfeel.
Seafood lovers will enjoy the Lautan Seafood, cooked ala masak lemak style. Ingredients featured here included clams, prawns, crab legs, and more.
The Ayam Masak Kerutuk, which is regarded as a Kelantanese dish, was delectable with tender chicken meat doused in a curry sauce, flavoured by aromatics such as garlic and onion. This would definitely be a crowd pleaser.
As for the Lamb Osso Bucco, the meat was tender but quite gamey, which can be an acquired taste. There’s also the Daging Masak Hitam for those wanting a beef option.
All the meats aside, there are some vegetable options available. Namely, there’s the Stir-Fried Brinjal with Belacan Sauce. As you might imagine, this one certainly packs quite the flavourful punch. The brinjal was soft and juicy with a heaty kick.
Those craving Western fare can try the Chicken Bolognese Penne Pasta as well as the Pan-Fried Salmon with Miso Butter Sauce. Both were well-executed, but didn’t catch our attention amidst the feast of local heritage cuisine.
While those who frequent buffets would know not to load up on carbs such as rice and noodles, I will say that the Herbs Butter Rice was incredibly delicious and paired well with all the saucy dishes. Of course, you can also opt for the steamed rice.
And don’t forget the classic Ramadhan Bubur Lambuk dish if you’d like a warm, hearty carb option.
Venture outdoors to the patio behind Shiso dining to enjoy some grilled, roasted, and fried dishes.
A buffet staple, there was freshly grilled chicken and beef satays, complemented with nutty kuah kacang and ketupat.
One of the highlights was an impressive Slow-Roasted Marinated Whole Lamb, also known as kambing golek.
The lamb was on the dry side, but the sauces complemented it beautifully. The rosemary sauce would be my pick. Slightly minty, peppery, and zesty with a citric bite, the rosemary sauce elevated the lamb. There’s a buttery garlic sauce as well.
For fried foods, there were also crispy prawn fritters, fried fish, keropok lekor, fried chicken, and more.
As is the case with any good buffet, be sure to allocate some stomach space for the dessert.
Creamy and rich, the Bubur Chacha is not too sweet, though its thick nature makes it quite filling, so keep that in mind if you’re hoping to try all the different desserts. If you’re looking for something lighter, the Tau Fu Fah may be your best choice.
Or, you could peruse the assortment of Malay kuihs, which include delights such as kuih lapis, kuih koci, and more. There’s also a range of different baked treats such as Pumpkin Pie, Red Velvet Cake, Carrot Cake, and more.
An underrated aspect of buffets, I believe, is the beverage selection. For this dinner, drink choices included air bandung and sugarcane juice. Neither were too sweet, which was great as they complemented the meal rather than detracted from the dishes.
If you want to break your fast next month with this dinner, the Citarasa Khazanah Buffet Dinner will be available from March 21 to April 5, from 6PM to 10PM from Thursdays to Saturdays.
If you place your booking from now until February 29, 2024, MiCasa All Suite Hotel is offering early bird prices, which are:
- RM119 nett per adult
- RM95 nett per senior citizen (60 years old and above)
- RM95 nett per child (5 to 12 years old)
After February, though, the regular prices will be:
- RM139 nett per adult
- RM95 nett per senior citizen
- RM95 nett per child
For those looking for non-buffet options, there’s a set dinner option available at RM168 for two persons every Sunday to Wednesday, starting from March 12 to April 3.
Those driving there can park in the basement for a flat rate of RM5 nett per entry. There’s also a train station, Ampang Park, not too far away.
MiCasa All Suite Hotel
Address: Shiso Dining Restaurant, MiCasa All Suite Hotel, 368-B Jalan Tun Razak, 50400, KL
Contact: +6017 2196162
Website: www.micasahotel.com
