A longer Buffet Ala Bazar 28 Hari

 

Aware that people enjoy browsing in Ramadan bazaars for favourite food and drinks to break their fast, the Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant at Pulai Springs Resort successfully presented their Ramadan buffet in the theme, Buffet Ala Bazar 28 Hari, since 2019.

 

The bunting I spotted along the way
into Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant

The “28 Hari” simply means the duration of 28 days in the Ramadan month when this specially curated buffet spread will be served, mainly from bazaar-style stalls.

 

I was pleased to be back at the Resort and saw simple signage that directed diners to walk from the open carpark (where parking is Free!) towards the Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant where ushers at the entrance will guide diners to their tables.

 

As I followed these signs and made my way to the Restaurant, I paused to look at the eye-catching bunting which proudly announced, “This Year, Even Longer!”

 

A whole roasted lamb,
Kambing Bakar, on the spit

When I arrived at the outdoor terrace, I saw that it was neatly covered by canopies with one side of the terrace lined by a row of bazaar stalls – one after another – that spanned the entire length of the terrace, all the way to the swimming pools.

 

From the first stall that served skewers of freshly grilled satay, there were 26 stalls set up along this terrace, as far as my eyes could see.

 

The start of the Bazaar was marked by the Barbecue Section where Kambing Bakar, a whole roasted lamb was being roasted on a spit.

 

This section also served a range of barbecued items like Honey Chicken, Grilled Lamb Shoulder, Teriyaki Sausage, Turmeric Marinated Fish and Beef Steak, to savour with a choice of sauces.

 

A row of live-cooking stalls along the terrace
as far as my eyes could see...

I was told that there were more stalls ahead so I did not hesitate to trek down the terrace to see for myself, how this row of bazaar stalls was longer than ever before.

 

[A gentle reminder to diners; Do explore all the way to the end of this long row of stalls to discover the exciting choices offered in this Bazaar at Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant.]

 

The culinary team led by Sous Chef Tom, has prepared a wide range of local and traditional favourites with Middle Eastern, Western and Korean international specialties along with fresh and mixed salads, pickles, crisps, desserts and drinks.

 

Freshly grilled beef and chicken satay

It was interesting to observe that each stall was a live-cooking station for diners to pick their choices of ingredients to be freshly prepared for them or diners may select from a range of gravies or items to enjoy.

 

The Bazaar sought to serve something new each year and I was pleased to discover the stall for Nasi Kandar ala Pulai where diners may enjoy white rice with their choice of rich gravies made with meat, poultry and vegetables.

 

Ingredients to create your own Nasi Kerabu

Lovers of rice will be thrilled with the whole lamb shanks served at the stall for Nasi Arab ala Pulai and the refreshing Nasi Kerabu flavours at the stall dubbed, Warung Pantai Timur or the East Coast Stall.

 

There was also a stall that served packets of traditional Nasi Lemak wrapped in fragrant banana leaves to savour with a choice of deep-fried items like squid, prawns and crabs.

 

Diners who preferred to break their fast differently (not with rice) may place their order for freshly-made pasta prepared within the Grana Padano Cheese Wheel.

 

A rich beef broth with oxtail and beef bones

Going with the flow of the Korean Wave, this Bazaar also featured a stall that served freshly fried chicken in popular Korean flavours like Spicy Fried and Soy Garlic Fried.

 

Another new item in this Bazaar must be Lokching, a traditional street snack popular in Kelantan that borrowed its name from neighbouring Thailand. These are skewers of grilled sausages usually made from fish, also available in flavours mixed with cheese or chicken and savoured with a sweet dip sauce.

 

Freshly-made Som Tam salad

At the stall for Johor specialties like signature Asam Pedas and Gulai Lemak, the serving staff will simmer the diner’s pick of fish from a choice of pre-cooked fish like Ikan Pari, Ikan Siakap, Ikan Kembung or Ikan Tenggiri, in the selected gravy before serving it piping hot.

 

Another popular choice must be traditional Sup Tulang Merah also known as Sup Gear Box, drizzled with sambal kicap (spicy dark sauce) and savoured with slices of French loaf.

 

Other popular items in the Bazaar were Mee Kolok ala Pulai, Ketupat and Lemang to savour with Beef or Chicken serunding, freshly-made Som Tam, a Thai salad, Murtabak Cheese, Roti John, Shawarma ala Pulai, and Oden-oden served in a choice of soups.

 

In fact, one stall was dedicated to serving refreshing Coconut Shake, a delicious dessert drink made popular at Klebang, Melaka while another stall served deep-fried Durian fritters.

 

Friendly reminders in
signs placed at the buffet

I was pleased to see the Love Food-Hate Waste signs placed around the buffet that reminded diners to, “Take what you need, eat what you take; Let’s end buffet waste for good!”

 

The best part about a buffet was the privilege to return for another portion if we so wished for more, so diners must make it a practice to finish what they took from the buffet and not waste good food.

 

At the outdoor section of the Restaurant, there were jars of crisps and crackers, piquant pickles, appetizing Malaysian and Thai salads in a variety of kerabu and a range of fresh local greens like ulam-ulam kampong to savour with a choice of traditional sambal sauces.

 

No Ramadan buffet is complete without fresh cut fruits and a range of local desserts like sweet broths and tempting western desserts like cakes, pastries, jellies and puddings, so head indoors to the Restaurant to find your favourite sweets.

 

A section for the desserts inside the Restaurant

One of the fun things to do at the buffet must be to assemble a choice of ingredients and top it with shaved ice to create your very own Air Batu Campur or ABC and icy cendol.

 

Don’t miss the two live stations outdoors (opposite each other) where one serves delicious popcorn while the other serves kunafa, a traditional Arab dessert made with spun pastry and cheese, topped with minced pistachios. Also try the Red Velvet version topped with clotted cream.

 

There was indeed, a great deal to savour in one sitting, so diners were encouraged to enjoy a leisurely breaking of fast meal with the added pleasure of watching a movie on a large screen, at the adjacent landscaped garden, while munching freshly-made popcorn.

 

Diners watching a movie on the big screen
at the adjacent landscaped garden

The Buffet Ala Bazar 28 Hari will be served at the Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant from 6.30pm to 9.00pm daily, from now till April 9.

 

Prices are RM138 nett per adult and RM69 nett per child aged 4 to 12 years. For every ten (10) paying adults, one dines for Free. 

 

For more info and reservations, Tel: +607 – 521 2121, WhatsApp Tel: +6016 733 2918, +6016 733 2919 or email: enquiry@pulaisprings.com

 

There is a designated room prepared for Maghrib prayers.

 

Pulai Springs Resort is located at 20km Jalan Pontian Lama, 81110 Pulai, Johor.