Gempita Ramadan Iftar at Cafe BLD

 

This Ramadan, Café BLD at the Renaissance Johor Bahru will take diners on a delectable culinary journey with their Gempita Ramadan Iftar buffet, a traditional Ramadan feast with food highlights by two prominent Malaysian food personalities.

 

A touch of nostalgia at the alfresco section
of Cafe BLD, Renaissance Johor Bahru

This impressive breaking-of-fast spread, curated with an array of mouth-watering dishes and delicacies will be served from March 1 to 30 with a special privilege to savour dishes prepared by celebrity Sheila Rusly and food content creator, Zam Akmal.

 

When I was welcomed into Café BLD to a background of popular traditional music presented by a live band and vocalists, I saw that the bustling breaking-of-fast vibe typical of Ramadan bazaars, was aptly described by the Malay word, Gempita.

 

Familiar with the layout of Café BLD, I was eager to explore from within the café to the alfresco section where live-cooking stations in the Barbecue section was already a busy hive of activity.

 

Celebrity Sheila Rusly preparing
her recipe for Nasi Daun Jeruk

Café BLD must be doing something right because their Ramadan spreads continue to attract diners with a deep longing for the familiar taste of traditional favourites served here during the Ramadan month.

 

I liked that a touch of nostalgia was presented in a corner of the alfresco section where sweet snacks and old-school treats were not only showcased in a charming tableau but also available for diners to taste.

 

On the opposite end of this section, a crowd was gathered around the stall where celebrity Sheila Rusly was preparing her signature recipe for Nasi Daun Jeruk, a fragrant rice dish with a unique blend of herbs and spices. This specialty dish will be served on March 17, 8, 21 and 22, 2025.

 

Meanwhile, Zam Akmal presented his much-loved dish of, Daging Goreng Berempah, a spice-infused fried beef specialty that will be served on March 14, 15, 28 and 29, 2025.

 

Satay skewers being grilled in the
outdoor section, ready to be served

Chefs were at work stations preparing to serve Malay, Chinese and Indian cuisine like BLD’s signature Satay and Ayam Percik, Yong Tau Foo, Briyani rice to savour with beef or chicken and pickles, Noodles, Tandoor Oven, Shawarma and Murtabak & Roti John.

 

I observed that they had a custom-made long grill of burning embers to barbecue skewers of their signature BLD Beef and Chicken satay to meet the demand of diners who will savour the satay dipped in spicy peanut sauce along with condiments of raw cucumber and onions.

 

A range of signature Gulai Kawah
dishes served in warming kawah

Noodle lovers may taste various types of noodles from the Noodles Station daily on rotation, that include Nyonya Laksa, Mee Hoon Soup Utara, Mee Bandung Muar and Mee Goreng Sotong.

 

The taste of tradition continues in a range of signature Gulai Kawah items presented in warming kawah or giant wok, and served on a rotation basis for Monday, Wednesday and Friday alternating with Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Among the gravy items in the kawah menu were Gulai Daging Tetel Nangka Muda (beef), Asam Pedas Ikan Pari (fish), Udang Sambal Petai (prawns), Pisang Muda Masak Lemak Daun Selasih (young banana), Ayam Goreng Berlado Hijau (chicken), and Kambing Rendang Cili Padi (lamb).

 

A range of sweet items were freshly prepared at the live stations including Apam Balik, a crispy pancake spread with butter, crushed peanuts and beads of corn.

 

Assemble ingredients to enjoy soup
 of your choice: Sup Merah or Sup Berempah
 

I watched as the crispy pancakes were made and was told that there were additional ingredients to add to the pancake including peanut-butter, shredded coconut, cheese, kaya and chocolate.

 

Wow! While these were toppings for such an irresistible traditional sweet treat, I still chose to enjoy the original buttery version.

 

There were also freshly-fried treats like Keropok Lekor, slices of sweet potato and banana, to nibble on and to wash it down with local favourite, Teh Tarik or pulled frothy milk tea.

 

A Mediterranean Hummus Corner
in the Salad section

Inside the café the Carving section presented a whole roasted lamb as well as baked fish and Ayam Golek (chicken) for diners to savour the tender meat with a drizzle of sauces of their choice from either Tiga Rasa Sauce, Masam-Manis sauce, Nyonya sauce or Portuguese sauce.

 

To whet the appetite, there are fresh ingredients to create-your-own salad from the Salad Station topped with a variety of sauces as well as local greens or ulam-ulam fern leaves and varieties of ready-to-eat local salads or kerabu and acar created with various ingredients like squid, beef lung, mixed seafood, barbecued chicken, mango.

 

The Do-It-Yourself section presented opportunities for diners to assemble their own salad mix for Pasembor, Indonesian Gado-Gado, Nyonya Fruit Rojak, served on rotation while the Mediterranean Hummus Corner will be available daily.

 

Roasted meats from the Carving station

Over at the Chinese kitchen, the freshly deep-fried Giant Freshwater Prawns drew diners – attracted by its size and presentation – to help themselves to this specialty.

 

At the hot buffet, it was good to see diners zero-in on Chinese dishes like Ginger Onion Mussels, Wok-fried Sliced Beef with Mala Sauce, Braised Broccoli with Black Mushrooms and Buttermilk Squid with Curry Leaves.

 

I liked that Café BLD used their bamboo steamer – traditionally used for keeping dim sum warm– to serve festive favourites like Lemang, glutinous rice with coconut milk baked within bamboo sticks, and Ketupat Palas, glutinous rice cakes steamed in coconut leaves.

 

Grilled specialties like otak-otak, pepes
and satar to choose from

These traditional rice delicacies were served with a choice of Serunding or meat floss made from beef and chicken, as well as spicy peanut sauce.

 

The breaking-of-fast meal will not be complete without a taste of comforting soup from the Soup Station offered in a choice of Sup Merah or Sup Berempah, a spiced beef broth, topped with your pick of ingredients like chunks of meat, tendon, stomach and oxtail.

 

Nearby, an entire counter was dedicated to serve otak-otak Kempas, Pepes Ayam, Pepes Ikan and Sattar, traditional specialties wrapped in banana or coconut leaves and grilled for a unique fragrance and taste.

 

Whet your appetite with a choice of pickles
and traditional salads topped with spicy sauces

Popular BLD staples like the Seafood-on-Ice offers Hokkaido scallops, fresh-water prawns, premium mussels and flower crabs, continue to please fans of seafood who may enjoy this seafood with a twist of fresh lime and a range of dip sauces.

 

In the colourful Dessert corner, an action station serves freshly-made Kueh Ketayap rolls spread with a layer of durian cream and stuffed with desiccated coconut.

 

Look out for Middle-Eastern sweets like Baklava Balloriah, Baklava Baram, Baklava Nest, Warbat Cake with Cream, Baklava Finger Cookies and Balahasham Cookies.

 

Frothy pulled tea or Teh Tarik
served at this live station

The buffet comes complete with hot and cold drinks as well as a selection of fresh cut fruits and a range of traditional festive cookies, assorted cakes, puddings, pastries and traditional Malay kuih as well as sweet porridge desserts like Bubur Cha Cha, Bubur Gandum, Bubur Jagung, Bubur Kacang Merah and Pengat Pisang.

 

This bustling breaking-of-fast meal can end coolly with ice-cream on cones and refreshing, traditional shaved-ice dessert topped with a choice of ingredients, drizzled with syrup and palm sugar.

 

The Gempita Ramadan Renaissance Iftar Buffet will be served at Café BLD from March 1 to 30, 2025 from 6.30pm to 10pm.

 

Priced at RM198 nett per adult and RM99 nett per child aged between six to 12 years old, while children below six years old will enjoy complimentary dining.

 

Take advantage of Early Bird Promotion where every 10 vouchers bought from now to February 28, 2025, will receive one complimentary voucher.

 

For dining dates from March 1 to 9, 2025, enjoy RENtastic Deal where every 10 vouchers bought from now to February 25, 2025, will receive two complimentary vouchers.

 

Club Renaissance Johor Baru members enjoy 15% discount while Marriot Bonvoy members and Maybank & Standard Chartered Bank card holders, enjoy 10% discount.

 

Diners who wish to host their own breaking-of-fast gatherings, Private Dining with a minimum of 30 guests is offered with a choice of two distinct banquet menus at prices starting from RM118 nett per person.

 

Café BLD is located on the lobby level of Renaissance Johor Baru, at No. 2 Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Baru, Johor.

 

For enquiries, email to: rosliza.lazim@renaissancehotels.com or evelyn.soh@renaissancehotels.com. For reservations, WhatsApp Tel: +6017 771 3327 or call Tel: +607 – 381 3322.