Melting Pot,
Concorde Hotel Shah Alam
3 Jalan Tengku Ampuan Zabedah C9/C Section 9,
40100 Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan Shah Alam
Tel: 03-5512 2200
Business hours: 24 hours.
IF you love Padang food, be sure to visit Concorde Hotel Shah Alam and savour this special cuisine well-known among the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Popularly known as Masakan Padang, a variety of dishes is currently being prepared by guest chefs Nurdeli Mansorman (Mak Deli), 58, and her 32-year-old daughter, Reny Novianty Marji Tamrin.
Originating from Pariaman, a coastal town in west Sumatra, Nurdeli is not new in the food industry as she brings with her 17 years of culinary experience.
Nurdeli and Reny share their love for Padang cuisine as they cook up a storm with five different menus, rotated in a week.
Padang food is much acclaimed for its rich taste of succulent coconut milk and spicy chili, demonstrating a little of Indian and Middle Eastern influences, especially in curries and the heavy use of mixed spices.
Tempting flavours: Guest chefs (left) Reny and Nurdeli displaying their prepared dishes.Signature dishes from the duo include Daging Dendeng Berlado, Kembung Masak Cili Api, Rendang Daging Pariaman, Ikan Goreng Sambal Merah, Dendang Daging Basah, Sotong Tusuk, Sambal Terung, Dendeng Paru and Ayam Pop, among others.
Padang flavoured curries are normally called gulai and Nurdeli recommends the Gulai Urat Kaki Lembu, which takes about six hours to prepare.
“I use a lot of kaffir lime leaves, cardamom, coriander, turmeric powder and galangal, as these are essential to make a rich flavoured curry” said the cheerful Nurdeli, adding that the dishes are best eaten with steamed rice.
“One must enjoy eating this cuisine using their fingers, as only then it is delicious,” she added.
Other must-try dishes according to Nurdeli include Gulai Kupang, Gulai Otak Lembu, Gulai Udang and Gulai Kepala Ikan.
Also, do not miss the ikan bakar, as it is specially marinated with a concoction of 18 types of spices and ingredients, giving the grilled fish an authentic texture and irresistible aroma that will leave you yearning for more.
Spicy delight: The Udang Sambal Petai is prepared with ground fresh chillies and sauteed with onions .Apart from the above mentioned delicacies, guests will also be treated to a lok lok corner with a variety of noodles, seafood on ice such as fresh oysters and prawns, and assorted salads and pickles.
The Padang Delights is available for lunch and dinner from now till March 30 at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, the Melting Pot Cafe.
Priced at RM65++ per adult and RM32.50++ per child (below 12 years), the buffet lunch is available from Mondays to Fridays from noon to 2.30pm, while buffet dinner is available on Sundays from 7pm to 10.30pm.
Guests are also given the option of having Padang delicacies with Steamboat Buffet Dinner and Barbequed Buffet Dinner on Fridays and Saturdays at RM85++ per adult and RM42.50++ per child (below 12 years).
Prices quoted are subject to 10% service charge and 6% government tax.
This is the writer’s personal observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
