DONDANG SAYANG COFFEE HOUSE,
Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur,
Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2161 8888
Business hours: 6.30am to 1am
HOMESICK diners will feel a little closer to mum and life back in their family home at Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur because of its Ramadan buffet menu.
Tucking into the “Masakan Bonda” spread at Dondang Sayang Coffee House evokes vivid memories of coming home to dinner.
Kickstart buka puasa with bubur lambuk, a side of dates and the succulent chicken and beef satay before moving on to the chicken briyani.
The briyani and its bold flavours is fair company with the gravy rich ayam masak merah.
It is difficult to ignore the roast lamb which sits majestically at the start of the buffet line-up.
Having been slow-roasted for three hours, the carefully carved meat slices heighten appetites with its rich aroma and black pepper sauce condiment.
Chicken Briyani with bold flavours is quite enjoyable.
From the refined flavours of each dish, cuisine craftsman chef Mohd Zalizam Mohd Rasidi, 45, cleverly adjusted traditional kampung flavours just a little to suit to the tastebuds of hotel guests.
“Regardless of which country they come from, they will enjoy the food here,” he said with a smile.
Drawing from 28 years of experience, Zam as he is affectionately known, declared that his mother was still his greatest culinary inspiration.
“My mother, Kamariah Ali Musa, taught me to make the rendang tok and pisang muda lemak when I was 12 years old,
“It is actually considered makanan diraja (food of the rulers),” he said.
Cooked in coconut cream and seasoned with tamarind, the Perak-born chef’s Pisang Muda Lemak with ikan bilis (anchovies) poses an interesting flavour and texture.
Rendang Tok is the main attraction of the buffet. Back: The Thai-style glass noodle.
“My mum has passed away and I miss her.
“This is my way of bringing back the original taste she created,” he said in remembrance.
True enough, the slow-cooked and caramelised Australian beef curry was the main attraction of the buffet.
My colleague, Shaari was an instant fan of the lip-smacking meat in gravy and went for seconds.
For those who prefer a more tangy and vibrant curry taste, the Ketam Masak Lemak Nenas is a seafood lover’s dream come true.
At the end of the meal, do not allow the colourful assortment of desserts to distract you from the teh tarik and sirap bandung.
Putu piring and Nyonya kuih will satiate childhood cravings during the buffet.
On the other hand, the putu piring and Nyonya kuih will satiate childhood cravings.
Sporting 35 main courses and seven menus on rotation, the “Masakan Bonda” buffet has something for everyone and is a good place for friends of all cultures to enjoy during Ramadan.
The buffet is priced at RM115 nett per adult and RM59 nett per child. There is a special deal of 30% off for adults on July 15 and 16 and 20% off for children on July 14.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.