Citarasa Senandung Melayu Asli at Tunamaya

Traditional recipes popular in the Malay states, garnered from the North to the South, will be featured in the breaking-of-fast menus designed in the theme, Citarasa Senandung Melayu Asli, at Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort, Desaru Coast.

Diners helping themselves at the hot buffet in the preview
of Citarasa Senandung Melayu Asli at Tunamaya Desaru

I can safely conclude this as I listen to Chef Nazaruddin, better known as Chef Naza, discuss the highlights from over 100 traditional recipes of favourite food collected from the various states that will be served in their Ramadan buffet.

While we are in Pawana Restaurant to learn more about these Malaysian dishes that will take diners on a culinary journey throughout the nation, his team is setting up the buffet spread, along with live cooking stations in the adjacent terrace.

Among the highlights of this buffet are Nasi Daging Utara, a rice meal served with slices of roast beef to savour with sides of gravy like Air Asam Tomato and Dalcha (lentils), Daging Goreng Halia Madu (Beef fried with Honey and Ginger) and Ayam Percik Bambu Kelantan.

Chef Nazaruddin introducing the buffet highlights

As the sun is setting, diners arriving to join us in the buffet preview are being seated at the terrace where they can enjoy a panoramic view of the South China Sea and later, dine under the stars.

Diners can look forward to enjoying a range of spicy smoked meat dishes, popular in Negeri Sembilan that include Daging Salai Masak Lomak (smoked beef), Keli Salai (smoked catfish) and Itik Salai dengan Belimbing Buluh (smoked duck).

There is, of course, a selection of appetizing kerabu, fruit pickles, fruit rojak, potato salad as well as ulam-ulaman or kampung greens along with fried salted fish that are complemented by a choice of local sambals.

A serving of Nasi Daging Utara

I can tell from the long queues that whole roasted lamb Bakar Herba (marinated with herbs!) remains one of the most popular items in the buffet next to grilled kampung-style satay in choices of chicken and beef, served with peanut sauce and condiments.

In a quick survey of the stalls set up on the terrace, I spot labels hung up to indicate what food items they are serving.

A Goreng-Goreng station serves freshly-fried fritters – made with prawn, anchovies or banana – as well as fried banana, yam and sweet potato slices.

A serving of Udang Kari Mamak

Along the same row, I spot a stall that serves Roti Canai, Roti Jala and Murtabak, while another stall is a Soup station that offers a choice of spicy soups – from the sea, topped with Red Snapper, Sea Bass or Mackerel – or from the land, topped with chunks of oxtail, beef, lamb or minced beef (tetel, a Malay word for odds and ends!).

I’m glad they also serve the Ramadan staple, Bubur Lambuk, a traditional rice porridge.

                    

I watch as diners help themselves from the hot buffet to enjoy steamed white rice with a range of traditional Malay dishes like Udang Kari Mamak (prawns), Talapia Merah Masam Manis (fish), Buncis Goreng Udang Hidup (French beans stir-fried with fresh prawns), Paru Goreng Berlado, Patin Tempoyak Ubi Keladi (fish), Gulai Lala Terung Pipit (mussels) and Ayam Masak Semur (chicken).

Spicy sambal sauces to enjoy with appetizers

In the dessert section, there is a variety of warm, traditional sweet broths like Pengat Ubi Keledek (tapioca and sweet potato), Serawa Nangka (jackfruit) and Serawa Durian to savour with steamed glutinous rice.

Besides the range of local kueh, cakes, pastries, puddings and jellies, there are cut fruits, ice-cream and a choice of ingredients to create our own shaved ice dessert, Ayer Batu Campur or ABC.

Everyone – me included – enjoys thirst-quenching, ice-cold drinks or traditional pulled drinks like Teh Tarik or Nescafe Tarik to complement their Ramadan meal so we can choose from refreshing Sirap Selasih, Bandung Soda with Cincau (grass jelly) and Kurma Juice (dates).

Diners queue for their portion of whole roasted lamb

By the way, I recently discovered that the abbreviated version of Bandung Soda with Cincau is Ban-Cau. [What will they think of next?]

Early bird special deals for the buffet from now till April 30 are priced at only RM58 nett per adult and RM40 nett per child aged from four to 11 years.

The sumptuous spread for Citarasa Senandung Melayu Asli Buffet at Pawana Restaurant will be served from May 7 to June 2, priced at RM68 nett per adult and RM48 nett per child aged from four to 11 years.

For every purchase of ten (10) vouchers, one will dine Free.

A view of the terrace outside Pawana Restaurant where diners are helping themselves at the buffet.

Pawana Restaurant is at the lower level of Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort, Desaru Coast, located at Bandar Penawar, 80930 Kota Tinggi, Johor.

For enquiries and reservations, Tel: +607 – 833 8805 or +6012 766 9427.

For more info, visit website: www.careluxuryhotels.com/tunamaya-desaru.