A Taste of Malaysian Heritage at DTHJB

This Ramadan, DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru is bringing back last year’s successful Jom Makan theme where Malaysians are encouraged to come together to feast on the diverse flavours unique to the various states in a Taste of Malaysian Heritage.

Johor's Nasi Beriani Gam Kambing is proudly featured
in A Taste of Malaysian Heritage at Makan Kitchen

I’m at Makan Kitchen again for the food preview and Executive Chef Hakim Aizat Feisal takes me on a tour of the buffet spread with highlights of the breaking-of-fast or Buka Puasa dinner buffets, presented in two options: one at the popular Makan Kitchen on the lobby level and the other, Feast@11 Banquet Package on Level 11.

This Ramadan, the Makan Kitchen, popular for the buffet spread served from its Chinese, Malay and Indian kitchens with an array of International items, will take diners on a culinary adventure through the Malaysian states.

Diners can look forward to whole Roasted Lamb,
Roasted Beef Ribs and even Grilled Wagyu Beef

Guided by the theme, Taste of Malaysian Heritage, diners can savour a range of delicious appetizers, salads, desserts and main course items that are distinctive of each Malaysian state.

For instance, there will be Mee Bandung from Johor, Sambal Petai Tiger Prawns from Selangor, Gulai Tempoyak Ikan Patin from Pahang, Daging Batang Pinang Masak Kayu Manis from Penang and Sago Gula Melaka, just to name a few.

Diners can also look forward to Ramadan staples like Roasted Lamb (Kambing Golek) and Ayam Percik flavoured in rich Terengganu Percik Sauce and Johor’s Nasi Beriani Gam Kambing (lamb) served with traditional condiments like vegetable dalca (lentils), vegetable pickles (acar) and Papadom crisps.

Highlights of a range of condiments
and local salads in the spread

With such a wide range of appetizing sambal sauces, crisps and pickles to enhance their meal, fans of Sambal, Keropok and Jeruk will be spoiled for choice at the Condiments Counter.

A variety of local salads in ulam and kerabu recipes are handpicked from the various states like Kerabu Daging (beef), Kerabu Taugeh (bean-sprouts), Kerabu Mangga (mango), Hinava Ikan (fish), Umai Udang (shrimps), and local greens like Ulam Raja, Ulam Selom and Ulam Pegaga.

Traditional breaking-of-fast dishes include Rendang Tok, Sotong Goreng Kunyit, Ayam Masak Merah, Terung Belado, Pisang Muda Masak Lemak and Singgang Ikan Tenggiri dan Timun, to enjoy with steamed rice.

Some of the not-to-be-missed traditional comfort foods are Bubur Lambuk and Daging Gulai Kawah & Rebung (bamboo shoots).

Serving a meat portion from the
Carving Station

Another comfort food to look forward to, is the range of traditional soups brewed with spices and topped with ingredients like Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Oxtail, Tripe or Lungs to enjoy with loaves of bread.

In anticipation of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, there are also popular choices of Lontong gravy, Chicken and Beef Rendang, Chicken, Beef and Coconut Serunding (meat floss) and Kuah Kacang (peanut gravy) to savour with traditional rice favourites like Lemang, Ketupat Palas, Ketupat Buluh and Burasak, Bugis-style steamed glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves.

Meat lovers will be thrilled with the servings of Grilled Wagyu Beef and Roasted Beef Ribs, served with a range of sauces like Peppercorn Sauce, Mushroom Sauce, Au Jus, Chimchurri Sauce or Mint Sauce with sides of Sweet Potato and Sauteed Mixed Vegetables.

Some of the other exciting live-cooking stations will serve Malay delicacies like grilled Beef and Chicken Satay, and Popiah Basah, where diners are invited to wrap their own spring rolls.

Rice vermicelli tinged with a
natural yellow colour!

The Noodle Station will serve Bihun (rice vermicelli) Sup Utara where the vermicelli is served with a natural yellow tinge while diners may pick their choices of topping ingredients like Lamb, Beef, Chicken, Oxtail, Tripe, Lung or Lobak Asin (Pickled Radish).

To end the meal sweetly, Mango lovers will be delighted with the range of desserts created with fresh mangoes like Mango Truffle, Mango Cheesecake, Mango Panna Cotta, Mango Mousse, Mango Crème Brulee and Mango Sticky Rice.

Early Bird Jom Makan vouchers for Makan Kitchen are available from now till April 30 at reduced prices of RM158 nett/adult and RM79 nett/child.

Prices are RM178 nett/adult and RM89 nett/child for vouchers bought from May 1 to June 4.

The Buka Puasa Buffet at Makan Kitchen will be served from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, from May 5 to June 4.

Besides dining at Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree by Hilton JB also offers Jom Makan breaking-of-fast Banquet Packages presented in Feast @ 11 and hosted at the Ballroom on Level 11, starting from May 13 to 31 only.

Executive Chef Hakim and team
member at the Gulai Kawah station

The buffet spread here is a veritable feast of Malaysian delights plus popular International favourites like Seafood-on-Ice.

While the buffet menu may vary daily, there are still staples in the range of delicious appetizers, salads, desserts and main course items.

A live-station will serve freshly-made Som Tam, Thai salad while a Murtabak stall will serve popular Hipster Murtabak, traditional flat bread stuffed with meat, drizzled with Mayonnaise and Chocolate sauce.

Another live-station in Feast@11 – situated outdoors for obvious reasons – will serve the ever popular thorny fruit, fresh durians.

Also look out for freshly squeezed sugarcane juice served as a thirst-quenching Buka Puasa drink here.

A range of appetizers in local fresh salads will be presented to whet the diners’ appetites.

Skewers of Ayam Percik flavoured with the
rich taste of Terengganu percik sauce

These include Kerabu Manga Muda (young mango), Kerabu Nangka Musa (young jackfruit), Kerabu Jantung Pisang (young banana buds), Kerabu Betik Muda (young papaya) and Kerabu Sotong (squid).

Some of the main course highlights include traditional Ayam Percik, marinated chicken grilled on bamboo skewers and other buka puasa favourites like traditional Gulai Kawah, Paru Goreng Berempah Jintan, Pucuk Manis Masak Labu and Prawns fried with curry leaves.

At the Carving Station, portions of slow-roasted Venison will be served with Grilled Tuscany Vegetables, new potatoes and a range of sauces.

A tasty and comforting bowl of Bubur Lambuk

Meanwhile, a Deep-Fried Station will serve a range of fried fruits including banana, yam, jackfruit and cempedak.

For dessert, there will be a range of cakes and pastries including favourites like Baked Cheese Cake, Concorde Cake, Raspberry Delice, Berry Panna Cotta and Carrot Cake.

Staying with the Malaysian theme, there will also be a variety of local kuih (cakes) like Seri Muka and in anticipation of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, even a choice of traditional Raya cookies like Kuih Batang Buruk, Kuih Bangkit and Kuih Bahulu.

Early Bird Jom Makan vouchers for Feast@11 are available from now till April 30 at reduced prices of RM118 nett/adult and RM59 nett/child.

Noodle soup with yellow bihun and slices of chicken

Prices are RM138 nett/adult and RM69 nett/child for vouchers bought from May 1 to May 31.

The Buka Puasa Banquet Package at Feast@11 will be served from 6.30pm to 10.30pm, from May 13 to May 31.

During Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, the Makan Kitchen is also a popular venue for festive meals like High Tea and Dinner.

Hari Raya High Tea Buffet will be served from 12.30pm to 4pm on June 5 & 6 (RM108 nett/adult and RM54 nett/child).

While the Hari Raya Dinner Buffet will be from from 6.30pm to 10.30pm on June 5 & 6 (RM178 nett/adult and RM89 nett/child).

DoubleTree by Hilton JB is at 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, 80000 Johor Baru, Johor. The Makan Kitchen is located on the lobby level while the Feast@11 Ballroom is on Level 11.

To purchase your Jom Makan vouchers and for reservations, Tel: 607 – 268 6868 or email JohorBahru.FB@hilton.com. Website: JohorBahru.DoubleTree.com