Zulkifli showing the new additions to the Ramadan spread.
When faced with a buffet spread offering an incredible selection of dishes, diners can feel somewhat overwhelmed.
It was a relief, then, when executive chef Zulkifli Asyul helped me decide what to try at Zest Lifestyle Restaurant’s Ramadan buffet in Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, Sepang.
Having nearly three decades of culinary experience, Zulkfili was confident that his curation of traditional Malay delicacies for the buffet, themed Merentasi Tradisi: A Feast of Heritage and Flavour at Pentas Citarasa, would impress.
“I have done Ramadan-themed spreads before. This year, I have added a few new dishes to spice things up.
“We have mee rebus with sliced lamb, ayam penyet and briyani, among others, to entice diners,” he said.
Indeed, the mee rebus lived up to its hype. Satisfyingly creamy, the broth was just what I needed after a busy day. It had the right flavour and aroma.
Meanwhile, the ayam penyet, served alongside a sweet-sour sambal, went well with the briyani, which was fragrant and had a fluffy texture.
Describing himself as a “kampung boy”, Zulkfili said he had gone the extra mile to recreate the classic village ambiance to ensure an immersive experience for guests.
A counter serving gulai kawah was a throwback to when communal cooking was common.
The seafood counter serving a variety of seafood including Indian mackerel and stingray.
Other dishes here included Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak Ikan Masin, Tauhu Masak Berempah, Siput Sedut Lemak Cili Api, Kambing Semur Kicap, Daging Gulai Kawah and Ayam Masak Merah.
My favourite was the ikan masin dish, which had the salted fish enhanced with rich gravy, resulting in a balanced flavour profile.
Equally enticing was the siput sedut dish, featuring bold, briny characters in a fiery curry.
Another must-try dish is Daging Gulai Kawah, with tender beef nuggets in a medley of spices, simmered in a thick, flavourful gravy.
There were also various seafood options including an array of fish, such as kembung (Indian mackerel) and ikan pari (stingray).
Stealing the spotlight was the Seafood Kawah, which featured mussels, tiger prawns and udang galah mixed with corn in a light tomato sauce.
There’s also a selection of Thai salads such as Yum Ma Muang (mango salad), Yum Som-O (pomelo salad), Som Tam (papaya salad), Larb Gai (chicken salad) and Yum Talay (seafood salad), to name a few.
The restaurant also provided a selection of international dishes in the buffet.
Seafood Kawah features mussels, tiger prawns and udang galah mixed with corn in a light tomato sauce.
Options included Italian-style pizzas, Middle Eastern-style roast lamb, and Japanese maki rolls.
For a sweet ending to your meal, guests should try the Serawa Durian Pulut.
The creamy durian-infused dessert paired perfectly with sticky glutinous rice, creating a luscious and indulgent treat.
Its rich aroma was balanced by the subtle sweetness of the serawa, making it an irresistible treat.
An array of traditional kuih such as kuih ketayap, kuih bakar, tepung pelita and seri muka is also available.
Zest Lifestyle’s Ramadan buffet is available between March 2 and 30, priced at RM218nett (adults) and RM109nett (children).
ZEST LIFESTYLE, Putrajaya Marriott Hotel, IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Sepang. Tel: (03-8949 8888 ext 1888, WhatsApp: 011-5685 5608) Business hours: 6.30am to midnight.
This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
