Chef Mohd Shawal and his team are offering their mothers’ specialties this Ramadan, writes Tan Bee Hong.
MONTHS before Ramadan, Bijan sous chef Mohd Shawal made his culinary team run back to their mothers.
The reason? To pester their mums for family recipes that have been handed down the generations.
The result is a satisfying menu filled with food that brings back nostalgic memories for many. Indeed, you won’t find items such as Ayam Bungkus Kelapa Manis and Sambal Hitam served in restaurants in the city.
The fine dining Malay cuisine restaurant will feature five rotating menus that will also include grill stations and live-cooking stalls.
• APPETISING START
Ayam Bungkus Kelapa Manis is a huge attraction. The little packets made of banana leaf hold golden bites of minced chicken with coconut. Both sweet and savoury, these are so satisfying. Then there are items such as prawn fritters, sata (grilled fish cones) and boiled tapioca with sambal.
Nasi Impit is best eaten with Sayur Lodeh (fragrant vegetable stew) while Roti Jala goes with chicken curry.
At the cooking stations, watch the chefs grill chicken wings and satay.
• MAIN VARIETY
Rice comes with choices of white, biryani and the blue-hued nasi kerabu, with condiments such as sambal belacan and sambal hitam. The latter is a Pahang specialty, made with belimbing buluh, a small tart green fruit, and takes up to 7-8 hours to cook. The result is an almost black sambal that may not look like much but has an amazing flavour.
Main dishes are aplenty, with Gulai Lemak Daging Salai Jantung Pisang, Rendang Tok, Rendang Prawn, Chilli Crab, Prawns with Pineapple, Opor Ayam, Lamb Chops in Black Sambal and Pucuk Paku ferns.
It is hard to pick a favourite though I must admit I’m partial to Ikan Kurau Cili Padi Pisang Kapas, of Terengganu origin. The tasty fish fillet is cooked in a coconut milk and turmeric gravy with the smallish bananas cut lengthwise in half. Extremely tasty.
• SWEET TOOTH
For dessert, fresh fruit is a good choice. However, the trays of Chocolate Durian Cake and Mango Cheesecake disappear as soon as they are replenished. Not surprising as Bijan is famed for its Chocolate Durian Cake.
Other offerings are Gula Melaka Cake, Keria and Sago Gula Melaka.
• BIJAN RESTAURANT
WHERE: 3 Jalan Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur
TEL: 03-2031 3575
OPENING HOURS : Until July 3, 6.45pm to 9.30pm, A la carte menu from 9.30pm
SPECIALTIES: Mum’s cooking
YOU’LL PAY: RM90++
OVERALL VERDICT: Must try