While traditional Malay dishes are great for buka puasa, it is a refreshing change to dine on sushi and dim sum, writes TAN BEE HONG.

VARIETY is the spice of life and after almost a month of kampung fare for buka puasa, thoughts turn to other cuisine. After all, this is Malaysia, the land of plenty and of choices.

At the Corus Hotel, this is what makes berbuka puasa so special. While it offers traditional Malay dishes at its Dondang Sayang Cafe, added attractions include a Ramadan Buffet at its Ming Palace Chinese restaurant and a Buka Puasa All-U-Can-Eat menu at the Komura Japanese Restaurant.

The Chinese spread, priced at RM45++ (adult) and RM30++ (child) will be available until Oct 9. Dim sum is a central feature, with various types offered daily. Those who prefer Malay dessert can indulge in kuih muih.

Actually, Ming Palace has a few Malay favourites in the buffet line up, including ulam-ulam, kerabu, rendang, air bandung and curry.

Yong tofu, steamed fish and Chinese-style vegetables are popular. The fried chicken with mango sauce is just the thing to perk up palates. The deboned chicken is battered, fried and served with a zesty mango sauce with shredded mango and onions.

(Clockwise, from top) Selection of tempura with prawns, fish and vegetables, stunning dish of grilled saba (mackerel) and sashimi on ice.

The marmite prawns are finger licking good, the thick sauce clinging on to the big prawns which are crunchy to the bite.

An unusual item is fried mee suah prawns. Looking like spring rolls, these are flat sheets of vermicelli stuffed with a delicious prawn-yam paste and rolled up. Deep-fried, they are crunchy to the last bite. Flower crabs and steamed fish are other attractions.

Most customers like the belacan mixed vegetables. A spicy dish, it has four-angled beans, long beans, brinjal and petai fried in dried prawn sambal with onions. You’d be going back for more rice with this dish.

At Komura, one begins with a refreshing, chilled air bandung or hot green tea and a plate of dates and kuih-muih.

Customers are given a “menu” on which they tick off their orders under various categories that include sashimi, sushi, yakimono (grill), nimono (boiled), teppanyaki, agemono (fried), salad, mushimono (steamed) and dessert. One can place as many orders of a favourite dish as preferred. All orders are served at one’s table.

For instance, sashimi lists tuna, salmon, butterfish and octopus — all equally fresh and delightfully presented. Sushi selections include California rolls, tuna, salmon, prawn and squid.

Cawan mushi is a firm favourite, with the soft steamed egg custard slipping down the throat with ease. Ginkgo nuts, prawn and chicken provide a contrast in texture.

The smell of grilled fish — salmon and mackerel — is irresistible, especially the latter which has a slight salt crust to tempt the palate. Grilled, the solid flesh of the mackerel is simply delightful.

Those who like teppanyaki will love the selections of chicken, salmon, cuttlefish and enoki mushrooms. The chicken and salmon are deboned and easy to eat. Have this with fried rice, plain or with a dash of fried garlic on top for added flavour. The rice is good enough to eat on its own.

It’s best to order the tempura halfway through the meal so that the light batter crust will remain crisp.

For those who don’t appreciate ginger, beware that there is a small dollop of it on top of the grated daikon for the dipping sauce. Tempura items include tofu, prawn, fish and mixed vegetables like carrots, potato and brinjal.

For dessert, there’s mochi — glutinous rice balls stuffed with red bean and aromatic ground peanuts. Or you can have green tea ice cream or fresh fruit.

The Buka Puasa All-U-Can-Eat, on till Oct 12, is priced at RM55++ (adults) and RM35++ (children).

KOMURA, MING PALACE
Corus Hotel, Jalan Ampang, KL
Tel: 03-2161-8888