Melting Pot Cafe,
Concorde Hotel Shah Alam 3,
Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah C9/C,
40100 Shah Alam, Selangor.
Tel: 03-5512 2200 ext.2304)
GROWING up without his parents in Padang, Indonesia has taught Irwan Arifin Marzie Thamrin to be independent just like his elder siblings, who took turns taking care of him as he was the youngest.
Irwan’s father passed away when he was two-years-old while his mother went out to look for odd jobs to make ends meet.
She eventually moved to Malaysia to work as a housekeeper cum cook for an expatriate family.
“Before my mother left, my siblings picked up cooking from her. When I was born they were already able to cook a handful of Padang dishes,” said the 29-year-old.
He eventually picked up cooking from his sisters and learnt seven simple dishes such as sambal aduk and goreng telur.
During Hari Raya, when his mother returned home, the family would cook up a storm in their kitchen with endless amount of traditional Padang dishes together with their neighbours and friends.
“Hari Raya is really special back home, the thought of Padang dishes makes me miss my home more and reminds me how much I crave for it at times,” he said.
After completing his studies, Irwan moved to Kuala Lumpur in hopes of looking for a job in the food industry but he admits it was not easy.
However, the avid cook remained positive and was thankful when Concorde Hotel Shah Alam invited his family to share their home-cooked dishes with guests this fasting month in the Salero Bundo or Mom’s Cooking buffet.
Fresh Minangkabau styled salad: The ulam-ulam kampung is matched with a variation of sambal togo with it.
During the interview recently with his mother, Nurdely Polyin, the duo shared a few must-try Padang specialities which are not easily found in the city.
Among them was the Urat Kaki Lembu Masak Sambal Cili Hijau, Nasi Ambang, Tenggiri Goreng Berlado, Keropok Kulit Lembu And The Bergedel Kentang.
Nasi Tomato Basmahi, Ayam Kalio,hati Lembu, Ulam-ulam Kampung, Gulai Perut Lembu, Udang Masak Petai, Ikan Berempah, Dendeng Peparu, Daging Panggang Percik, Padang Marinated Ted Barramundi Fish, Daging Rusa Gulai Kawah Utara, Roti Jala Sekaya, Nasi Ambang, Chili Crab In Creamy Sauce, Sup Daging Rincik Utara, Sambal Sotong Petai Manis, Rendang Tok, Satay, Lemang, Nonya Kerabu Mangga, Kerabu Taugeh Berisik and bubur lambuk.
Irwan also shared another dish ikan bakar padang which was not available on the day of the interview but he reminded me to come another day as it was his family’s bestseller.
“This dish has 18 ingredients and needs to be mixed according to the order, you cannot put in one ingredient before the other as it will not taste like it should be,” said Irwan.
After mixing the ingredients together to marinate the fish, he then grills it on coconut husks instead of charcoal to give the fish a better flavour.
“This is everyone’s favourite back home, even when you are too full to eat anything else, the taste and the smell of this dish will make you want to indulge in it, that is why we all love it,” he said adding that he and his mother were in charge of the main dishes of the buffet.
His sister Reny Novianty Marzie Thamrin and mother-in-law Unco Pudin will be taking charge of the desserts.
Specialty: Udang Masak Petai
Sweet delicacies such as godok batinta, sala bulek, lapeak sikoci, lapeak bugis, cindua bonai, ondeh-ondeh, ongol-ongol, kolak pisang, serawa durian, pulut kukus, cendol delima padang, amang aluo, serabi, bakwan, bubur gandum and bubur jagung would await guests.
The Salero Bundo buffet is priced at RM86++ for adults and RM43++ for children.
Guests can enjoy a 25% discount when they dine on the last three days of the fasting month.
For every 10 paying guests, one guest will be able to dine at no charge.
Senior citizens above the age of 55 years can enjoy 30% discount from Mondays to Saturdays and 50% discount on Sundays.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
