Sharing Christmas joy at Makan Kitchen

The Makan Kitchen, well renowned for their popular Seafood Buffet Dinner served on Fridays, will celebrate Christmas joy with a sumptuous Christmas Seafood Dinner Buffet as Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year.

Welcome to the Makan Kitchen this Christmas!

Diners familiar with the Makan Kitchen can look forward to enjoying festive fare along with a wide selection of appetizers, soup, salads, main course items and desserts in the sections that serve Malay, Chinese, Indian and International cuisines.

Among the menu highlights in the Carvery Station are Roasted Whole Turkey with bread stuffing and complementary sauces, Beef Tenderloin Wellington, Cream Spinach, Sauteed Brussel Sprouts and Roasted Vegetables.

In addition to Tiger Prawns, Asahi Clams, Black Mussels and half-shell Scallops, seafood lovers will not be able to resist the seasonal specialty of shucked Oysters.

Traditional Roast Turkey with all the trimmings, 
Yorkshire Pudding, Brussel Sprouts and Roasted
Vegetables too!

Fans of Sashimi can satisfy their longings for the freshest catch of the week in servings of Norwegian Salmon, Yellow Fin Tuna, Butter Fish and Squid.

From Appetizers, Tapas, Mezze and Anti Pasti, Japanese favourites, and meats freshly grilled from the barbecue, to Tandoori, Curry Clay-pots, Noodles, Chinese dumplings and specialties like Roasted Duck Mantao and double-boiled Chicken Herbal Soup, there will be something that will meet every diner’s taste.

Then indulge in irresistible Christmas sweet treats like traditional Christmas fruit cake, dried summer fruit stollen, cute strawberry elves, Christmas panforte and assorted Christmas cookies and pralines.

Tender, juicy meats prepared
by a sous vide process

The Christmas Seafood Buffet Dinner will be served at Makan Kitchen from 6.30pm to 10.00pm from Dec 24 to 26. Priced at RM138 nett per adult and RM69 nett per child.

From Christmas Day, Dec 25, daily till Dec 27, the Makan Kitchen will also host a Christmas High Tea Buffet served from 12.30pm to 3pm. Priced at RM88 nett per adult and RM44 nett per child.

This generous spread includes sage marinated young turkey, rendang marinated beef tenderloin, a range of sandwiches, specialties from the Malay, Indian and Chinese sections as well as delightful desserts like Christmas log cakes, lemon meringue, and warm poached pear.

Meanwhile from now till Dec 31, diners can savour a festive Christmas High Tea Set from 12pm to 6pm daily, designed to serve two at only RM68 nett.

A serving of Christmas High Tea Set

This charming Christmas themed tea set that comes with a choice of brewed tea, is presented with ginger scones served with cream, butter and strawberry jam, savoury sandwiches and desserts like Christmas mince pies, Chocolate Christmas Tree, Petit Candy Kane, Rudolf Raspberry, Snowman Marshmallow, Santa Belt Panforte and Mini Choc Yule Log.

The festive joy in DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru is also available in Take Home Christmas Goodies and Turkey sets, specially designed for two to savour at home.

Christmas is a time for sharing love and joy so choose from the Turkey Escapade for Two at RM98 nett, Lamb Lovers for Two at RM108 nett, or the Oompa Loompa Christmas Box of sweet treats.

Serving suggestions of the Turkey Escapade for Two set and the Lamb Lovers for Two set 
in the Take Home Christmas set meals.

DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Baru is located at No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, 80000 Johor Baru, Johor.

For reservations, visit eatdrinkhilton.com or call Tel: +607 268 6868 or email: JohorBahru.FB@hilton.com

Promptly served Express Lunches at Amaya

The Amari, established as a Thai brand in Johor Baru, has earned an enviable reputation for the tasty Thai cuisine served at Amaya Food Gallery.

Choices from the Express Lunch menu

This is because I know of regular diners who would make a beeline for the Thai section of the buffet first before savouring the other items in the sumptuous spread.

When the Express Lunch menu was launched, I was delighted to discover that at least three of their popular Thai dishes are among the items listed in the menu, each served with steamed rice.

Fans of Thai flavours who cannot get enough of the Amari Signature Chicken Green Curry, Thai Three-Flavoured Fish Fillet and Thai Spicy Basil Minced Chicken, are now able to enjoy these dishes served for both lunch and dinner.

Three-Flavoured Fish Fillet with steamed rice

Besides the pleasure of enjoying their favourite flavours with a hearty rice meal, diners will appreciate the express service where these meals are promptly served to the table.

The many tables occupied by diners in the Amaya Food Gallery at lunch time is proof that the prompt service here is bringing them back again and again to enjoy a quick and tasty lunch with sufficient travel time to get back to their desks within the lunch hour.

Ayam Penyet with Fried Tempeh and Beancurd,
served with Sambal Chilli dip and steamed rice

In addition to these tasty Thai temptations, another Asian flavour to savour is the Indonesian favourite of Ayam Penyet (deep-fried chicken) with Fried Tempeh and Beancurd, served with a fiery Sambal Chilli dip sauce and steamed rice.

Another popular choice is the Malaysian staple of Beef Rendang with a side of Acar Jelatah served with steamed rice.

If you prefer a non-spicy choice, my recommendation is the Deep-Fried Boneless Chicken Cutlet coated in Tangy Lemon Plum Sauce, also served with steamed rice.

Spaghetti with Grilled Chicken Chop in
Mushroom Sauce

If pasta is your preference, then you should taste the Amaya’s creation of Spaghetti pasta prepared with slow-cooked Pulled Beef.

Another delicious pasta choice is Spaghetti with tender pieces of Grilled Chicken Chop in Mushroom Sauce.

This menu of express meals is available for both lunch and dinner at only RM15 per set with free flow of the soft drink of the day.

Deep-Fried Boneless Chicken Cutlet coated in
tangy Lemon Plum Sauce with steamed rice

These express meals are also popular with small group gatherings and private events hosted in private alcoves within the Amaya Food Gallery.

 

Amaya Food Gallery is located on Level Six, the lobby level of Amari Johor Baru, No. 82-C Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Baru. 

For reservations and to arrange your private dining event at Amaya Food Gallery, Tel: 607 – 266 8888 or email: amaya.johorbahru@amari.com. To book, go to: www.bit.do/amayajb

For more info on Amari Johor Baru, visit website: www.amari.com/johor-bahru

More of My Johor Stories at Rotary Club JB

At an event held on 1 January 2020, I met with Rotarian Cheong Nai Cheong, a member of the Rotary Club of Johor Baru, who invited me to be a guest speaker at their regular club meeting.

Guest Speaker at Rotary Club of Johor Baru
that was also streamed online via Zoom

When I received the official invitation, we agreed on a date and it was set for me to speak at their club meeting on April 7.

However, in an email dated March 26, I was told that the club had decided to cancel all meetings due to the global pandemic and the subsequent Movement Control Order. My appointed date to speak at their meeting was then deferred indefinitely.

Through email correspondence in August, a new date was agreed for me to speak at their meeting on October 6. But a sudden spike in the cases in Johor Baru compelled the club to cancel their meetings in October and a new date was proposed.

With Club President Freddie Lee at the meeting

In late November, the new date for me was confirmed for December 1.

This speaking engagement that was initiated on January 1, finally became reality on December 1.

As I anticipated going to this meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton where the club holds their weekly meetings, there was a sense of déjà vu because the launch event for my 2017 bestseller book was also held here.

It was significant that my book launch event was at the hotel located opposite the site of our grandfather’s old house, No. 154 Jalan Ngee Heng, a familiar place which holds many fond memories of my growing-up years.

Precious photographs projected on the large
screen [Right] to share more My Johor Stories

Now our double-storey bungalow with an adjacent badminton court, is no longer there as the land was reclaimed by the Government and is now mostly part of Jalan Tun Abdul Razak, a dual-carriageway that leads to the CIQ complex of buildings.

Over the years, I had covered numerous stories about the community work initiated by the Rotary Club of JB, so the club members are familiar with me and my work.

In August 2017, I had the privilege to speak at their club meeting to share about my book-writing journey for My Johor Stories.

It was encouraging that club members could
relate to what I shared in My Johor Stories

It was meaningful because I had featured the work of several NGOs that included the Rotary Club of JB, in an exclusive story, A tribute to our unsung heroes in this 2017 bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

With the success of this book, its sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People, was launched on 1 December 2018.

The bulk of 2020 had already whizzed pass and as we continue in the New Normal, I was told that the club’s physical meetings were usually attended by some 20 to 25 members while about 10 to 15 members may join the meeting virtually via Zoom.

It was a pleasure to speak to a responsive audience

So it was timely that on 1 December 2020, I would share with club members, interesting details of how My Johor Stories was connecting people back to Johor Baru in a topic I dubbed, Building Bridges with My Johor Stories.

On my arrival, Club President Freddie Lee and club members gave me a warm welcome and invited me to take my seat in the meeting room and to arrange my books on the table.

In recent years, this all-male bastion of the oldest Rotary Club in Johor had inducted in new members including their first female member. So for the benefit of new members, I was given a glowing introduction before being invited to speak.

Some members joined the meeting via Zoom!

Using the large screen to project precious photographs that were used with My Johor Stories, I had the pleasure to share in more detail about how my stories were building bridges with individuals as well as the community, that ranged from locals, foreigners with a link to Johor and even to our Royalty.

At the close of my presentation, I had fun in the Question & Answer segment, responding to the questions the club members asked.

It was encouraging to know that the members could relate to what I had shared and were intrigued to ask for further clarification on some of the points that I had presented.

Signing my book for club members

Among the interesting points that I had the privilege to clarify was on the role of Major Cina in Johor and more details about the Dewan Cina located in the Istana Besar or Grand Palace complex of buildings in the Istana Gardens.

The club meeting continued in its formal fashion where a club member was invited to thank the guest speaker (me!) and the event concluded on a high note, not only with much clapping and cheering but also with a standing ovation.

This pleasure was further heightened when the club members bought my books and patiently waited to get their books autographed.

It was my pleasure to autograph my books
for members at the close of the meeting

As I addressed my autograph to their names or the names of the people they wanted to present my book to, two of the club members also introduced themselves as former classmates of my Aunty Sylvia and Uncle Victor.

After leaving the meeting, I continued to receive on my phone, warm messages of appreciation from club members, one of whom had joined the meeting via Zoom.

One member even extended an invitation for me to speak at their meeting again, this time on an exciting topic that (I had told them!) would be featured exclusively in Book Three of My Johor Stories, a work currently in progress.

Thank you, Rotary Club of Johor Baru, for the pleasure and the privilege to share more My Johor Stories with you.

Note: The nearest MPH bookstore to Johor Baru is located at Aero Mall, linked to Senai International Airport. My Johor Stories series of books are available from MPH bookstores nationwide and online from www.mphonline.com

My books available at the all-new JARO

With the support of Think City Johor Baru, the old wing of the building for NGO, Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO, was renovated and is now ready to welcome visitors again.

Entrance to the showroom in the recently
renovated Lim Kee Jin Wing of JARO

JARO has a proud heritage in Johor Baru and is an established brand for quality products that are handmade by people with disabilities. 

The disabled have been given opportunities to be gainfully employed in the JARO sheltered workshops for bookbinding, basketry, tailoring, and handicrafts since 1952.  

My family and I treasure a long relationship with JARO as we have been using their products over the years and proudly presenting their beautiful, quality and useful handicrafts as gifts to friends and family, both locally and abroad.

Attractive display in the JARO showroom
to welcome shoppers this festive season

At the inaugural Iskandar Malaysia Social Heroes Award (IMSHA) gala event in 2014, I had the joy to witness how JARO was honoured as the deserving recipient of the prestigious Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Iskandar Malaysia Ultimate Social Hero Award.

With the festive season just around the corner, it is timely that the refurbished showroom is now to open for shoppers to browse around and choose quality handicrafts to present as gifts and souvenirs.

This building was officially declared open in November 1968 by then Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tun Abdul Razak Dato Hussain. 

A section of the showroom with handicrafts
by the bookbinding and tailoring workshops 

At an event held on April 6, 2013, this building was official renamed the Lim Kee Jin Wing to honour the contributions by Dato’ Dr Lim Kee Jin who was Chairman of JARO from 1962 to 2007, a role which he held for 46 years.

The work at JARO has its origins in 1952 when Dr Beryl Wilberforce-Smith, a Chest Physician in the Johor Baru General Hospital, now called Sultanah Aminah Hospital, started to rehabilitate recovering tuberculosis patients by training them with skills in basketry, book-binding and tailoring.

This rehabilitation workshop was then a unit of the Malaysian Anti-Tuberculosis Association. 

These patients came under the care of Dato’ Dr Lim Kee Jin in 1958 when he was posted to the hospital as Consultant Physician.

Another section of the showroom

This started Lim on a life-long mission to rehabilitate special people by training and equipping them with marketable skills so that they could have a sense of dignity with financial independence.

As the workshops started accepting rehabilitees with other disabilities, the rehabilitation workshop changed its identity to Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation or JARO, a registered charitable society and sheltered workshop.  

When Lim stepped down from his role in 2008 for health reasons, Dato’ Jimmy Low Boon Hong took over as Chairman of the Jaro Management Committee, while Lim’s wife, Datin Patricia Lim, a professional historian and author of many books, continues to serve in this committee.

Furniture made from rattan or cane

Before Lim relinquished his role, he said, “We need to re-examine JARO’s mission to rehabilitate and train people with disabilities for gainful employment and operate a sheltered workshop for those who are unable to find employment.  

We need to expand and improve our existing facilities for these purposes and network with other welfare bodies not only in Johor but throughout Malaysia as well as organizations for the disabled throughout the world.”  

Lim’s words have indeed turned into reality when Think City Johor Baru and a host of big-hearted volunteers stepped up to support JARO in the building renovation project to upgrade its showroom and workshop section in the basement.

Useful items with designs sketched by
Yap Hanzhen, Johor's gifted artist

Think City is a wholly owned subsidiary of Khazanah Malaysia, established as a city-making institution to support the evolving urban landscape and to look at ways to make our cities more innovative, resilient and liveable.

Think City started out in Georgetown by undertaking a baseline study to fully understand the city – among other things – who lived there, what people did, how buildings were used.

From understanding the city and its challenges, they moved towards incubation where they either initiated projects or helped the community to initiate and carry out their own projects under a Grants Programme.

"Simply Butterflies" was created by Hanzhen
for me: He presented a framed sketch to me!

In 2017, I had the privilege to partner with Think City Johor Baru in their Grants Programme, and with the support of MPH Publishing, Kuala Lumpur, published my book – which neither of us knew, would end up as an MPH Non-Fiction Bestseller!

Incidentally, I had featured the work of several NGOs including that of JARO, in an exclusive story, A tribute to our unsung heroes, in my bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

In the recently renovated building, the wide entrance to the Lim Kee Jin Wing remains unchanged while the Reception counter and pay-point are arranged close to the rear wall of the lobby.

I could see to the left of the main entrance, through floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the showroom which has been extended to display a wide range of quality merchandise for visitors to shop in air-c0nditioned comfort.

Once again JARO is poised to become a popular destination for everyone who appreciates quality handmade products.

The book section with a display of books supported by Think City Johor Baru

It was pure nostalgia to see the range of rattan baskets and furniture for sale because we have been using these in our family and handed them down through generations.

There were also attractive displays of products from their bookbinding, basketry, and tailoring workshops as well as decoupage handicrafts contributed by volunteers.

One section of the showroom was dedicated to the distinctive designs and products that feature the art by Johor’s gifted young artist, Yap Hanzhen.

I am familiar with Hanzhen and his gift in sketching and drawing because I had the privilege to feature him along with Johor personalities who have impacted other lives, in my 2017 bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

With the success of Book One, Think City encouraged me to publish its sequel, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People, which was launched in December 2018.

Meanwhile I was aware that Think City was also supporting Datin Pat Lim to publish a reprint of her book, Johor: Local History, Local Landscapes 1855 to 1957, a valuable resource that was first published in 2009.

Limited number of My Johor Stories books
are now available for sale at the all-new JARO

This book is now available from the JARO showroom, displayed among various books supported by Think City. While my eyes were riveted to her book, I could not help spotting the familiar cover designs of my books!

I am delighted that the books supported by Think City available for sale at JARO included a limited number of my books, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage and My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People.

So JARO supporters and everyone in search of something special this festive season, are welcome to browse around the showroom to shop for gifts and souvenirs.

JARO is located along Jalan Sungai Chat, between Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (English College) and the building complex for Yayasan Warisan Johor (Johor Heritage Foundation).

Open Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 5pm, closed on Friday, Saturday and Public Holidays.  Tel: 607 – 2245632. 

Note: The nearest MPH bookstore to Johor Baru is located at Aero Mall, linked to Senai International Airport. My books are also available from MPH bookstores nationwide and online from www.mphonline.com

Wan Li presents creative Chinese cuisine

When I was introduced to the Chinese Head Chef at Renaissance Johor Baru last year, I remember quizzing Chef Linus Mak about his hometown because he shares the same surname as our late grandmother.

Wan Li Chinese Restaurant is at the
lobby level of Renaissance Johor Baru

No, we are not related by blood, but it was fun to connect with another person with the same (rare!) surname and whose forefathers probably hailed from the same province in China.

It was not important if that was really so because I still enjoyed the Halal Chinese cuisine prepared by Chef Linus and his team at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant.

Recently I was at Wan Li again for a preview of the exciting new ala carte menu that Chef Linus had created in collaboration with Executive Chef Fredrick Kho Choon Khim and the Wan Li culinary team.

I studied the list of dishes prepared for the preview and privately congratulated myself for bringing my appetite along to savour three appetizers, one soup, five dishes that featured meat, prawns, poultry and rice, and finally, a dessert.

Some specialties at Wan Lin Chinese Restaurant

Meanwhile Restaurant Manager, Henry Lee, was proud to show me a copy of their (regularly sanitized!) new menu.

As I turned the glossy pages and admired the slick photographs of some of their specialties, I wondered if the dishes would look and taste just as mouth-watering.

My curiosity was satisfied when the three appetizers were served – because they looked exactly like the images featured on the menu – so all I had to do was to discover if these dishes passed the taste test.

I could easily tell the Wok-fried White Bait flavoured with Spicy Crispy Garlic and Glazed air-dried Beef Fillet with Chilli Sauce, from the salad made with slivers of Free-Range Chicken tossed with (lots of!) Chinese Coriander, Fried Shallots and Black Truffle.

Double-boiled Silky Fowl Soup, rich with
ingredients like dark garlic king, conpoy
and vegetables  

A slow munch of the crispy white bait tinged with the rich flavour of deep-fried garlic and the chewy, beefy taste of the wafer-thin sheets of beef fillet, was enough to whet my appetite for more.

Served piping hot and kept warm in a covered, deep ceramic bowl, was the Double-boiled Silky Fowl Soup with Dark Garlic King, Conpoy and Vegetables.

When I dipped my spoon into the nutritious dark soup, I discovered the quality ingredients which included meaty portions of black chicken.

I thought the refreshing taste of grilled rack of Lamb flavoured with homemade Pineapple Barbecue Sauce was a rather untraditional Chinese dish while Stir-fried Prawn Fritters in Curry Butter Milk Sauce, made with deshelled plump prawns coated in an even more surprising taste, was reminiscent of North Indian cuisine.

Fried Chicken with Dried Chilli, Garlic
and Szechuan Pepper

At my first bite of the Fried Chicken flavoured with Dried Chilli, Garlic and Szechuan Pepper, I knew that even non-fans of fried chicken would just fall in love with this.

As my chopsticks reached out for yet another piece of tasty fried chicken, I must admit that one piece was just not enough!

The piece de resistance in this menu must be the Wok-fried Australian Wagyu Beef with Foie Gras and Asparagus that features tender slices of beef along with chunks of melt-in-your-mouth foie gras, the perfect foil for crunchy sticks of asparagus.

Stir-fried Prawns in Curry Butter Milk Sauce

The creativity continued in the Fragrant Fried Rice with Conpoy, Egg White, Garlic Crisps and Beet Root Juice, an ingredient which added its bright colour to the rice.

I had wisely saved some space for dessert because it was a double dessert of Chilled Mango Puree and Pomelo with a side of homemade Steamed Custard Bun.

[By the way, Wan Li also serves a Halal menu of dim sum with Steamed Custard Buns among its recommended items.]

Australian Wagyu Beef with Foie Gras
and Asparagus 

Aware that its gooey insides might burst through the light pastry, I turned the bun upside down and gently peeled open its pastry, taking care not to spill a drop of the generous dollop of salted egg puree. Mmm… It was no surprise that I finished it!

I had just washed (Malaysian style) a stain of salted egg puree off my fingers with a splash of Chinese tea when Chef Linus came to chat with us at the table.

Emerging from the kitchen where he was working hard to whip up this gorgeous meal, he looked rather flushed and sweat-soaked in his smart tunic but remained highly receptive as we gave him our constructive comments for each dish.

Double dessert of Chilled Mango Puree and
Pomelo with a Steamed Custard Bun

When I told him, “Full marks for creativity,” Chef Linus accepted the compliment with a charming smile.

From now till December 12, diners will enjoy 20% off ala carte orders at Wan Li.

Wan Li Chinese Restaurant (Halal) is on the lobby level of Renaissance Johor Baru, at No. 2 Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Baru, Johor.

For reservations, Tel: +607 – 381 3388 or email, henry.lee@renaissancehotels.com

Enquiries and orders may also be sent by WhatsApp to Tel: +6018 – 7800787.

Handcrafted dim sum at Wan Li

A glance around the dining hall in Wan Li Chinese Restaurant showed me that almost all the tables were occupied during lunchtime.

Entrance to Wan Li at the lobby level
of Renaissance Johor Baru

Arranged further apart for physical distancing and with fewer diners per table, this restaurant which serves a Halal menu of quality dim sum and ala carte dishes, continues to be the preferred choice for business, family and social gatherings.

Over the years, Wan Li has earned an enviable reputation for their superior quality Halal dim sum and I was keen to discover if they have maintained the standard of their handcrafted dim sum consistently.

I am ushered to a table set for only four diners and introduced to the highlights of their handcrafted menu of dim sum, in an All-you-can-eat Dim Sum promotion.

A printed order sheet is provided
to let diners place orders more
conveniently

A printed order sheet that lists a choice of dim sum, with descriptions (thankfully!) provided in English, is a helpful guide for placing orders in portions of up to a maximum of three times per item.

As I scanned through the listed items, I noted that the icon of a Chef’s Hat indicated those which are the Chef’s Recommendations.

There are steamed, fried and baked dim sum with choices of rice and noodles, porridge and vegetables, all for one price that includes tie guan yin quality Chinese tea.

My eyes zeroed in on the Recommended items and decided that I must have a taste of the Superior Siew Mai, Superior Har Kau with Water-chestnuts, Deep-fried Prawn Dumplings and the Steamed Golden Custard Buns.

In the tradition of dim sum dining, the items would be served hot from the steamer/stove.

Three dip sauces [Left to Right] Spicy
Chilli Oil, Mayonnaise, Chilli Sauce

So while waiting, I looked closer at the three dip sauces provided for diners who wished to enhance the taste of their dim sum, and recognised the choices of Chilli Sauce, Mayonnaise and Spicy Chilli Oil.

If you are unfamiliar with dim sum dining, just remember that there are no particular rules to follow in eating dim sum.

The dim sum dishes are served in tapas portions so just follow your personal preference on which items you liked to eat first. As for me, I like to start with the savoury followed by the sweet.

A dim sum spread to savour!

I also prefer to savour the deep-fried items first to enjoy the fresh, crunchy flavours while the freshly steamed items stood for a while to cool down.

One thing is clear about dim sum dining, which is the pleasure of leisurely eating tiny morsels of a wide variety of items to your own satisfaction.

When the dim sum were served, they arrived in batches of deep-fried items followed by steamed and cooked items so that I could enjoy them visually before I took my time to savour them the way I preferred.

Clockwise from the Top: Steamed Sweet Taro Buns, Steamed Phoenix (chicken!) Feet in Black Pepper Sauce, Steamed Scallop Dumplings, Deep-fried Beancurd Skin Rolls stuffed with Prawns, Pan-fried Shanghai Dumplings, Superior Siew Mai, Pumpkin Porridge and Superior Har Kau with Water-chestnuts.

The warm and gooey salted egg puree
inside the Steamed Golden Custard Bun

Center Left, Deep-fried Taro Croquettes; Center Right, Deep-fried Prawn Dumplings to savour with a Mayonnaise dip.

When I finally put down my chopsticks, I was happy to commend the dim sum chefs at Wan Li for their commitment to carefully preserving the taste and quality of their handcrafted dim sum.

A special mention goes to the Steamed Golden Custard Buns for the skillful art of creating a light pastry filled with a generous dollop of salted egg puree that stayed delightfully warm and gooey… and tasted oh-so good!

The All-you-can-eat dim sum at Wan Li is priced at RM64.15 per person with free flow of tie guan yin quality Chinese tea.

Wan Li Chinese Restaurant (Halal) is on the lobby level of Renaissance Johor Baru, at No. 2 Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Johor Baru, Johor.

For reservations, Tel: +607 – 381 3388 or email, henry.lee@renaissancehotels.com

Enquiries may also be sent by WhatsApp to Tel: +6018 – 7800787.