“We always aim to deliver our diners the best possible all-in-one Ramadan experience and this year is no different,” said Angeline Lue as she welcomed us, along with others members of the media to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (also known simply as the Centre) for a sampling of its Kampung in the City Buka Puasa menu. When the Centre’s Director of Sales & Marketing makes a promise like such, you know you are in for a gastronomic treat! And a real treat we had – if the extensive spread of traditional kampung classics and contemporary buka puasa fare laid before us was anything to go by.

A marriage of the old & new

The Centre’s Executive Chef, Richmond Lim proudly informed us that although this year’s Ramadan feast features the same theme as the past couple of years (Kampung in the City), his award-winning 51-member culinary team decided to spice things up with the addition of a host of new kampung favourites such as sawang telur (rice noodles topped with crispy eggs and served with curry), lepat ikan kukus dengan daun kunyit (Malay-style fish terrine wrapped in turmeric leaves), rendang ayam kampung Seri Menanti (traditional chicken curry with green chili), trawangan gado-gado bersama makanan laut goreng rangup (vegetable salad accompanied by a tangy-peanut sauce and deep-fried seafood) and masak lemak tempoyak asam belimbing ikan patin (river fish braised in turmeric fermented-durian coconut cream sauce), just to name a few. Is your mouth already watering? Wait, there’s more.

Aside from the buffet spread, diners can look forward to the ‘Chef Action Stations’ where local culinary delights such as Penang char kuey teow, Hainanese chicken rice, wonton noodle soup, mee goreng mamak and seafood asam lemak Siam (seafood cooked in sweet and sour coconut soup), and a selection of steamed, deep-fried and grilled bubu ikan will be available. Speaking of grilled food, all satay fans out there can rejoice as you can treat yourselves to the most succulent chicken and beef satay complete with ketupat, lemang, nasi impit, rendang tok and bubur lambuk (rice porridge).  

Flair of the foreign

For foodies who are looking for something a tad more exotic, you will be pleased to know that the buka puasa menu also boasts international choices including roasted fish Tikka, a variety of Italian pasta made a la minute to your liking, Pad Thai (rice noodles stir-fried with egg, bean sprouts, chicken and seafood), Pita Kebab Arab Daging Cincang (Arabic-style minced beef kebab on pita bread), and Mediterranean hickory-smoked lamb served with mint sauce and black pepper.

A sweet finish

No traditional Ramadan feast is complete without desserts – and boy, does the Centre serve up a fine array of sumptuous sweet treats! From everyone’s beloved Air Batu Campur (ABC) served with condiments and ice cream to serawa durian pulut lemak (durian porridge) to local kuih and dates, the dessert lover in you will be torn for choice!

Want to break fast at the Centre? These are the details you need to know:

• The Centre’s private Kampung in the City banquets are available every day throughout the Ramadan month, while the public buka puasa is only available from 13 June to 1 July 2016.
• For reservations, you can contact Abby at +603 2333 2866 or June at +603 2333 2877.
• The public buka puasa is priced at RM115 nett per person and is limited to 250 pax per evening.
• Private buka puasa banquets are for 100 pax and above and offers 2 menu choices; prices range from RM115 nett per person for the Ramadan Al-Mubarak menu to RM157.41 nett per person for the Ramadan Al-Kareem menu.

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