Muhibbah Buffet at The Tiffin this Ramadan

After I witnessed the official opening of Impiana Hotel Senai in October 2017, I had the privilege to enjoy the hotel facilities a few months later and shared this experience in a piece featured in Life & Times Jom, the Travel section of The New Straits Times.

A section of the hot buffet in the
Muhibbah Buffet at The Tiffin

My relationship with the hotel was further cemented not only by their warm welcome but also by their support of my 2017 bestseller, My Johor Stories: True Tales, Real People, Rich Heritage.

I was pleased to be back at the hotel for food reviews and was happy to note that in a short space of time, the hotel had established a strong reputation as a business-class hotel in this region.

Senai may be a small town on the North-South route in Johor but it has a rich history.

Chef serving Portuguese style
whole fish

I was aware of this because I had the privilege to document the story of The Wongs of Senai, in my Book Two, My Johor Stories 2: Interesting Places and Inspirational People in 2018.

Ahead of Ramadan this year, I was recently invited back to Impiana Senai for a media preview of the Muhibbah Buffet spread, served at The Tiffin.

Upon arrival, I made a quick survey of the buffet laid out in The Tiffin for an overview of the spread, from appetizers, main course items to the drinks and desserts and the live-action stall stations.

If I thought this was going to be another food preview, everything changed when I was ushered to sit at a table shared with a young family that included a 10-year-old boy.

Lamb Kuzi served from the hot buffet

The hotel probably knew that when this Storyteller met the young man, there will be a story to tell…

Then I met with 10-year-old was Zafran Andryan and his parents, regulars at Impiana Senai who enjoyed dining at The Tiffin.

His mother, Yanie, explained that they encouraged Zafran to pursue extra-curricular activities and often featured the activities of multi-talented Zafran in Facebook and Instagram.

In the past few months, Zafran gained a large online following and inadvertently became a young ambassador for Impiana Senai.

Tapping on his enthusiasm, the hotel invited Zafran to have a chat with Sous Chef Rafidaus to talk about the highlights of the Muhibbah themed buffet served this Ramadan and to share his experience to inspire budding chefs.

So earlier that day, young Zafran in the role of the Little Reporter, conducted a heartwarming interview with the Chef as part of the hotel’s Ramadan attractions.

A section of the desserts

Among other things, Chef Rafidaus revealed that his recommended item from this buffet spread must be the Impiana Nasi Minyak or rice steamed in ghee, because after the rice was cooked, it was further steamed by charcoal flames to bring out a unique aroma and flavour, quite unlike any other.

Besides roasted whole lamb, some of the Muhibbah buffet highlights include Kambing Kuzi (lamb), Daging Panggang Bumbu (beef), Satay Ayam Pasu (chicken satay baked within jars), Assam Pedas, Sup Gearbox, Murtabak, Putu Piring and Putu Bambu, as well as traditional delicacies like Tapai, Dodol and Wajik.

In the full spread, there will be over 200 types of dishes served in rotating menus, including items prepared in live-cooking stations.

 

At the preview, Portuguese-styled baked fish, Bubur Lambuk and Pasembur, an Indian rojak, were served in the stall stations.

A serving of Bubur Lambuk

In the hot buffet, dishes like Kambing Kuzi, Oatmeal Prawns, Tandoori Chicken, Deep-fried Fish in Lemon Sauce, Dried Chilli Beef, to eat with Charcoal Nasi Arab, were consistent with the Muhibbah theme.

While Zafran tucked into a portion of Spaghetti Aglio Olio – a favourite of youngsters – I helped myself to sticks of Beef and Chicken Satay as well as a portion of Tahu Sumbat or stuffed tofu, to savour with spicy peanut sauce.

Our dinner conversation over roasted chicken and salads was a Getting-To-Know-You session as we discovered more about each other.

The Johor Storyteller with Zafran and his
mother, Yanie, at The Tiffin

When I asked Zafran, which school he attended, I was pleasantly surprised when he replied, “SJKC Pu Sze.”

“Why?” I asked his mother with much interest, and she promptly explained that encouraging Zafran to learn a different language and culture will put him at a better advantage for his future.

Of course, I could not resist having a brief chat with Zafran in Mandarin (Ahem!) just to hear him articulate himself in another language…

It was a delight to hear him speak in Mandarin and to learn that he would converse with his Chinese schoolmates in Mandarin while he would still speak Malay with other Malay schoolmates.

Another photo memento with Zafran
and his mother, Yanie
 

Our chit-chat continued over dessert of cakes, pastries, puddings and jellies while Zafran helped himself to cut fruits, which he graciously shared with his parents.

Meanwhile his mother kept an eye on her watch so that they could leave on time for Zafran to attend an evening class nearby.

When they bade farewell and left The Tiffin, I guessed we will see a lot more of young Zafran, if not in person but certainly on social media.

I thought that my encounter with Zafran and his parents over the Muhibbah dinner spread was a true reflection in the spirit of Muhibbah – a Malay boy who is conversant in Mandarin – meeting up the Johor Storyteller for a spontaneous little chit-chat.

A selection of Ice-Cream Potong

The Muhibbah Buffet for breaking-of-fast at The Tiffin will be served from April 15 to May 10 at RM98 nett per adult and RM48 nett per child from age six to 12 years.

For vouchers bought before April 13, receive one voucher Free for every five vouchers in the Early Bird promotion.

During Hari Raya, The Tiffin presents buffets for High Tea on May 13 & 14, from 12pm to 4pm at RM48 nett per adult and RM28 nett per child, and Dinner daily from May 13 to 15, served from 6.30pm to 10pm at RM58 nett per adult and RM28 nett per child.

For reservations, Tel: +607 – 5958898, +6016 – 713 4590 or email: fnb1.ihs@impiana.com

Impiana Hotel Senai is located at Jalan Impian Senai Utama 2, Taman Impian Senai, 81400 Senai, Johor. For more info, visit website: impianasenai.com