Gempita Ramadan Renaissance at Cafe BLD

 

Curated to surprise and delight, this year’s Ramadan buffet in the theme, Gempita Ramadan Rennaisance, brings star-studded creations to the forefront, offering diners the opportunity to savour signature dishes crafted with heart, heritage and contemporary flair.

 

Zam Akmal at a live cooking station in 
the alfresco section of Cafe BLD

This annual festive culinary journey hosted at Café BLD from February 19 to March 20, will be enhanced by the presence of two prominent Malaysian food personalities, namely celebrity cook Sheila Rusly and celebrated food content creator, Zam Akmal.

 

From the crowd gathered in the alfesco section of the café – in front of the live stations manned by these two food personalities – it was clear that I must patiently wait for my turn to sample a taste of their iconic dishes, served with this buffet spread.

 

Sheila Rusly presented her dish, Sate Lilit Janda Mengamuk, renowned for its distinctive balance of smoky, spicy and aromatic notes, a bold reinterpretation of a classic sate lilit, elevated by Sheila’s personal touch.

 

The cafe's signature Gulai Kawah gravies
served from traditional kawah woks

Minced meat is expertly seasoned with a fragrant blend of herbs, spices and chillies, wrapped delicately around lemongrass stalks and grilled to perfection. This results in a deeply flavourful satay with a tantalizing heat and irresistible aroma.

 

After the media preview, her signature dish will be personally presented from a live cooking station on February 20, 21, 27 and 28 as well as on March 6 and 7.

 

At the next live station, Zam Akmal was introducing his latest recipe for a comforting yet indulgent dish that reimagines familiar flavours with a modern sensibility.

 

Traditional favourites, lemang and
ketupat are kept warm in a steamer

Dubbed, Manja-Manja Spicy Glass Noodles, this dish features silky glass noodles tossed with tender slices of beef, flavoured by a robust medley of spices, chillies and aromatics that delivers a harmonious balance of savoury depths and gentle heat.

 

Then I spied these specialties on the plates of media friends who emerged from the crowd gathered in front of the two live stations and made a mental note to have a taste of at least one of the two, when the crowd had dispersed.

 

It was quite a long wait but absolutely worthwhile because not only was I personally served by Zam Akmal, I also had the privilege of a chit-chat with this Man from Muo.

 

He pulled on his gloves and tossed the mixture of glass noodles by hand – a traditional method to bring out the best flavours – and topped my portion with slices of beef, purple cabbage and a spicy mix.

 

My portion of Manja-Manja Spicy Glass Noodles

While I declined a sprinkle of shredded coriander (not my favourite!) I followed his guide to add a drizzle of sesame dressing and a dollop of ground fresh chillies. Back at my table, I did not hesitate to dig into this interesting and tasty dish.

 

At first, I thought it was quite impossible to finish this portion because – while waiting for the crowd near him to disperse – I was tasting various items in the lavish spread, but to my surprise, I simply polished off the plate.

 

After the media preview, this signature glass noodle dish will be personally presented by him from a live cooking station on February 27 and 28 as well as on March 6, 7, 13 and 14.

 

A section of the
Pondok Ulam-Ulaman

Beyond these star attractions, the Gempita Ramadan Renaissance iftar buffet presents a spread of traditional and international dishes in a range of menus that will be refreshed daily to let diners discover different dishes on repeat dining dates during the month.

 

The breaking-of-fast begins with a nibble on sweet dates and appetizers from the Pondok Ulam-Ulaman that serves traditional fresh greens along with fried salted fish, flavoured by a wide selection of spicy sauces, presented in traditional stone mortar bowls.

 

There is also a choice of prepared traditional salads in the Kerabu & Acar counter, and a range of mouth-watering jeruk or pickled fruits, looking colourful and attractive in large see-through jars.

 

Diners will enjoy assembling their own portions from the Do-It-Yourself sections for Pasembor, Indonesian Gado-Gado, Nyonya Fruit Rojak and Mediterranean Hummus.

 

Tempting, colourful
thirst-quenchers

Tempting, colourful thirst-quenchers include flavours like Apple Aloe Vera, Honey Dew, Mata Kuching (longan), Cincau, Corn, Sirap Bandung, Lemongrass and Katira.

 

To warm the stomach, the Soup Stall serves a rich broth in Sup Berempah and Sup Merah for diners to pick their choices of beef and lamb meat to savour in the soup.

 

Warming under a large steamer were lemang, nasi ketupat and ketupat palas to enjoy topped with serunding or meat floss in choices made with beef, chicken and fish or peanut sauce.

 

Meat-lovers can make a beeline for the Carving Station which serves whole roasted lamb, roasted leg of beef and baked fish, to savour with a range of sauces and condiments.

 

A choice of fresh fruits and pickled fruits

Meanwhile, favourite gravies prepared with beef, fish, chicken, lamb and prawns in the café’s signature Gulai Kawah are set up in the alfresco section of Café BLD, for diners to enjoy with steamed rice.

 

More main course items are served in the hot buffet for Western specialties and hot dishes, Barbecue & Deep-Fried, as well as Chinese and Asian dishes in rotating menus throughout the month.

 

The meal is not over until diners have had their fill of desserts and for durian lovers, in particular, the King of Fruits is featured in various items like within kuih ketayap (the café’s signature pancake rolls), cream puffs and deep-fried durian rolls.

 

A section of the dessert corner
in Cafe BLD

The dining experience at this Ramadan buffet comes to a fitting close with an indulgent dessert selection that featured assorted traditional Malay kuih, classic cakes and pastries, elegant tarts and Middle Eastern inspired sweets.

 

In addition to freshly-cut local fruits, there are assorted ice-cream with toppings or ice-lollies fondly called, ice-cream potong, and icy treats where diners may assemble their own pick of ingredients to top with shaved ice.

 

All this and more to indulge in with sips of hot brews of Teh Tarik and Nescafe Tarik, traditional pulled tea or coffee.

 

The Gempita Ramadan Renaissance iftar buffet will be served at Café BLD from February 19 to March 20, 2026.

 

At the Carving section, a
whole roasted lamb

Rate at RM198 nett per adult and RM99 nett per child aged six to 12, while children aged below six may enjoy complimentary dining.

 

EARLY BIRD vouchers are available from now till February 15, for dining dates valid until March 20. Buy 10 vouchers get ONE complimentary.

 

Rentastic Deal vouchers are also available now till February 15, for dining dates valid until February 26. Buy 10 vouchers get TWO complimentary.

 

OR

Club Renaissance Johor Bahru members enjoy 15% discount;

Marriot Bonvoy members enjoy 10% discount;

Maybank & Standard Chartered Bank card holders enjoy 10% discount.

At the Appetizer section,
a selection of tasty Kerabu & Acar

For private family gatherings or corporate iftar events, the hotel also offers a curated Ramadan banquet menus with a minimum of 30 guests at rates starting from RM168 nett per person.

 

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

 

Café BLD is on the lobby level of Renaissance Johor Bahru located at No. 2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor. Visit the restaurant website at www.cafebld.com for more info on the latest food and beverage promotions.