Congkak KL: Serving Classic Malay and Nusantara Cuisine

Congkak Restaurant is a hidden gem in the heart of bustling Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant is named after the traditional Malaysian game, congkak, which has been inherited and passed down for generations. Located on Jalan Beremi, off Jalan Sultan Ismail, this newly opened restaurant is all about keeping traditions alive (just like the game) and delivering flavours of both Malay and Nusantara cuisine to guests.

The kitchen here is helmed by Chef de Cuisine Firdaus Daud, who has over 15 years culinary experience in various established hotels and restaurants in Malaysia. The menu comprises of Malay and Indonesian specialties such as nasi ambeng, satay, kerabu pucuk paku, urap, itik goreng berempah, sambal udang petai, udang kara masak lemak gulai, rendang tok, rusuk panggang, oxtail belado and more.

One of the bestselling dishes here is the impressive Nasi Ambeng, a rice platter which originated from Jawa. A feast for the eyes and palate, the nasi ambeng platter is customised for 1-2 pax (RM28), 4-6 pax (RM120) or 6-8 pax (RM175). The 1-2 pax portion comes with white rice, acar rampai, serunding kelapa, telur masin, ikan masin, sambal belacan, sambal Jawa, kerabu sayur, terung sambal, keropok Belindo, begedil, ikan kembung belado and a choice of either ayam masak kicap or gulai ayam. The nasi ambeng offers a multitude of flavours and textures; spicy, savoury, sweet and crunchy, all in one mouthful. Delish!

Not to be missed here is the Tauhu Telur (RM25), a popular street food from East Java in Indonesia. A soft, silky smooth egg beancurd is stacked and deep fried to golden brown perfection. Additional deep fried egg threads sit atop the beancurd to give extra crunch. Julienned fresh vegetables such as cucumber and carrots as well as an appetizing sweet and savoury peanut sauce, similar to a rojak sauce completes this delicious dish. I'm so in love with this!

Ikan Wayang (RM48), is aptly named so - wayang translates to theatrics and with this dish, the deep fried fish is theatrically displayed on a wooden tray to mimic a "dancing fish". Turmeric, fennel, coriander and cumin are blended into a powder and used to marinate the fish. The fish is then coated in some tapioca flour and batter, before deep frying. The deep fried fish is served with homemade sambal tirasi and sambal kicap. Chef Firdaus explains that sambal kicap is usually made from fried shallots, cili padi, calamansi and palm sugar, however his version also includes Thai chilli sauce, which adds sourness and gives this dipping sauce a unique, tangy twist.

Click here to view their full menu.

Opening times: 12pm to 10pm daily.

Location: Congkak KL, 24, Jalan Beremi, off Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Street parking or open air car park).

Tel: 03-2110 6005

Nearest MRT: Bukit Bintang (take Exit F and walk 200m to restaurant,which is located next to KL Journal Hotel).



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Ayam Penyet Z & Z, Bandar Penawar, Desaru

One of our friends recommended this place to us and we're so glad that we ate here during our trip to Desaru. Ayam Penyet Z&Z's signature dish is... you guessed it, ayam penyet - smashed fried chicken dish originating from East Java. Here, we were offered the option of drumstick and breast when placing our order.

All of us went for the drumstick, which turned out to be the maryland (both drumstick and thigh) so even better! The chicken was perfectly cooked - juicy, tender and crisp and was served with rice, raw vegetables, fried tofu, tempeh and a small bowl of soup. It also comes with a serving of kickass sambal, which I really liked.

Would I eat here again? Most definitely YES.

PS Servers are friendly and can speak both English and Malay. Other than ayam penyet, they also offer some other local dishes.

This restaurant is about 10-15 minutes drive from The Westin Desaru Coast Resort where we stayed.
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Operating hours: 11am to 11pm daily.

Price: Total bill  RM39 for 4 pax, inclusive of 4 drinks.

Location: Restoran Ayam Penyet Z & Z, 50, Jalan Kempas 4, Desaru Utama, 81930 Bandar Penawar, Desaru, Johor (Street parking available).

Tel:  016-775 3975


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The Majapahit Restaurant & Bar, Marc Residence KLCC

Located in Marc Residence KLCC, The Majapahit Restaurant & Bar is a vibrant space, specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, predominantly Thai and Indonesian food.

This KLCC outlet opened in late January this year, after the huge success of its first outlet in Arcoris Mont' Kiara. The kitchen is helmed by Head Chef Pak Isan Santibi who hails from Medan, Indonesia. Their menu draws inspiration from the mighty Majapahit empire, which during its glory days stretched over the entire present-day Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines and East Timor.

At The Majapahit, they have curated various signature platters featuring dishes from different countries in Southeast Asia, which are perfect for sharing and gives diners the opportunity to sample a variety of flavours.

The Satay of Southeast Asia platter (RM84 for large) comes with four of The Majapahit's signature satay, namely the Balinese fish satay (sate lilit Bali), Malaysian chicken satay (satay ayam), Indonesian beef satay (sate maranggi Indonesia) and Vietnamese sugar cane prawn (chao tom), served with four unique dipping sauces. My favorites were the Malaysian chicken satay, with its tender chunks of well-marinated barbecued chicken as well as the Balinese fish satay, seasoned fish paste skewered on a lemongrass stalk and cooked over charcoal embers. You may also order these satays individually from their SEA-pas (Southeast Asian tapas) section of the menu.

The Curry Galore (RM54) features Thai red beef curry, Thai green curry chicken, Indonesian squid curry and Malaysian prawn curry, served with a side of chapati bread, white bread and cassava crackers. Both the Thai curries were really yummy and nicely spiced. The Indonesian and Malaysian curries are less spicy and are suitable for kids.

For spicy food lovers, the Spicy Seafood Tom Yam (RM32) will certainly get your tastebuds tingling. This Thai hot and sour soup comes with generous amounts of sea bass, squid and prawns.

Mango Juice

We loved the Sundanese-style Crispy flying fish (RM58), a whole tilapia fish, marinated in Indonesian spices and deep fried to golden perfection (ikan nila goreng sunda). Impressive looking and very tasty. It's so crispy, you can even eat the bones. Served with a sweet and spicy dark sauce. Highly recommended!

Thai stir-fried baby kailan (pad ka-na Thai) (RM29) with plump, juicy prawns, garlic and oyster sauce. Simple, crunchy goodness.

The restaurant also offers weekday lunch sets, with prices starting from RM18.90 (inclusive of fresh fruits and drink).

Book your table online here (select either Arcoris Mont' Kiara or Marc Residence KLCC outlet before making your booking):

Pork-free.

Opening times: Lunch 12pm - 3pm; Dinner 5pm - 12.30am. 

Location: The Majapahit, A-G-01, Marc Residence, No 3, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur (Parking RM6 for first hour, RM5 for subsequent hour, RM10 per entry after 6pm). 

Tel: 03-2781 9068/ 016-226 1878

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Ramadan Buffet 2019 @ NOOK, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral

This holy month of Ramadan, Nook, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral’s all day dining restaurant will present a sensational spread of traditional Indonesian and Malaysian dishes.

The Ramadan buffet, themed Joms Buka @ Nook Selera Indonesia, is priced at RM138 nett per adult and will be served daily from 7 May to 3 June 2019, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm. Nook’s sassy culinary team will be cooking up over 150 dishes, served on a rotational basis, on the buffet spread for guests to enjoy when they break fast during this spiritual month.

Specially created by Nook’s Sous Chef, Ahmad Zaki Harun and Junior Sous Chef, Muhammad Hafiz Izham, the buffet will feature Malaysian's Ramadan favourites, enhanced with Indonesia’s traditional cuisine with highlights such as Indonesian’s favourite soup Bakso, Gerai Nasi Ayam, Ayam Cabe Ijo, Tempeh Goreng Berempah and Ikan Bumbu Berempah. Traditional appetisers and salads showcasing Indonesian flavours will be part of the buffet line up with dishes including Gado Gado, Urap Sayur, Rojak Uleg Indonesia, Pecal Kangkung, Cilok dengan kuah Kacang and a variety of Kerupuk.

Taking centre stage at the carving station is the Daging Sapi Gongso, Nook’s signature this Ramadan. The beef is marinated with Indonesian sweet soy sauce, red chilli and a mixture of Asian spices which include cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, anise and fennel. The marinated meat is slowly braised for three hours to retain the flavours of the marinade and to keep the meat tender.

Pecal Kangkung

Ikan Bakar

Gerai Ayam

Do not miss the Kambing Bakar Bumbu, a whole lamb marinated with a combination of local spices including turmeric, coriander seeds, chilli powder, ginger and lemongrass. Once the lamb is marinated it is slow roasted for two hours for tender, juicy meat.

A selection of Sambal and Indonesian Curry dishes including Sambal Matah, Sambal Cabe Ijo, Sambal Terasi, Sambal Bawang, Gulai Ayam Padang, Gulai Daging Tetel, Gulai Masak Lemak Nangka will be offered along with Indonesian rice dishes, the Nasi Kebuli, Nasi Sagung Madura and Nasi Kuning to complement the meal.

 Gulai-gulai

Malaysian favourites will also make an appearance on the buffet including the must-have Bubur Lambuk, Sup berempah, Murtabak and freshly cooked satay.

The spread will also include some Chinese, Indian and Western dishes on the buffet. Guests will find Wok-fried Kam Heong Crab, Stir-fried Black Pepper Beef, Szechuan Style Bean Curd with Minced Chicken, Lamb Vindaloo, Gosh Badami Kurma (Lamb Kurma), Spicy Mutton Masala, a Pizza Pit Stop, Jade Fish Picatta with Mexican Corn Salsa, Vegetable Lasagna, Pan Seared Fish Fillet and many more.

A variety of Indonesian, Malaysian and Western desserts will fill the buffet line headlined by a variety of Indonesian specials including Kuih Lapis Bandung, Kolang Kaling (palm fruit), Bubur Sumsum (sweet coconut rice porridge), Sago Air Gula and Kolak Ubi. Other desserts include Tapai Ubi, Bubur Pulut Hitam, Warm Chocolate Brownies, Warm Apple Crumble, Warm Banana Bread and Butter Pudding all three served with Vanilla Sauce, ABC Station, Lemon Meringue Pie, Strawberry Mousse Cheese Cake, Trio Chocolate Mousse Cake, Fruit Berries Tart and more.

Thirst quenchers to complement the Ramadan spread at Nook will include Air Tebu, Sirap Bandung, Air Kurma, Teh Tarik, Nescafe Tarik and Kopi Hang Tuah.

The Ramadan Early Bird vouchers for Joms Buka @ Nook Selera Indonesia will be available for sale from 1 April - 3 May 2019. Vouchers are priced at RM105 nett per voucher for purchases of 1 - 35 vouchers and RM95 nett per voucher for purchases of 36 vouchers and more. The voucher validity is only for the Ramadan period from 7 May - 3 June 2019. Diners are encouraged to call ahead for reservations prior to dining at Nook.

For reservations and to know more about these offers, please call (60) 3 2723 1188 or visit www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com


For the extensive Ramadan Buffet Listing for 2019, kindly click here.


Halal.

Location: Nook, Level 1, Aloft KL Sentral, No 5 Jalan Stesen Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Tel: 03- 2723 1188

Website: http://www.aloftkualalumpursentral.com/


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