Ramadan is just around the corner, and what better way to break fast than with a gorgeous spread of food with your loved ones? Hilton’s Makan Kitchen has been revamped and proudly presents Jelajah Selera with their celebratory menu featuring multicultural cuisine found in all corners of Malaysia!
The buffet is an gastronomy experience that will tickle your tastebuds, regardless of whether you have a hankering for Chinese dimsum or Middle Eastern bread pudding.
What were the highlights of Jelajah Selera?
There is truly such a wide selection of dishes and snacks that one simply cannot expect to taste everything in one sitting, so I’m just going to talk about their signature dishes, along those I believe warrant a special mention.
Roasted whole lamb served with Arabic Rice
I got very excited when I saw this little stall tucked between Indian and Chinese, but was rather disappointed. The rice was much too dry for my tastes and didn’t pack the kind of flavor I was expecting. The lamb was alright, but forgettable.
Hot and Sour Soup
Hot and Sour Soup sounds like the perfect appetizer, but it really ruined our appetites with its starchy texture. It was not spicy enough for the degree of tanginess it brought to the table.
Butter Prawns
For something that was touted as a signature dish, I expected to be wow-ed. No wow factor here.
Crispy Boneless Chicken with Shredded Mango
Another disappointment. The chicken was tender but the flavors just didn’t hit the spot. I would have liked it to be tangier and
Rendang Tok
Finally something that stands out! There’s a hint of citrus in the Rendang which perfectly complements the heavy dish and balances it out. But I would have loved to have some Lemang to go with it. Alas, there was none to be found.
Roti Naan, Indian Butter Chicken
I’m not a big fan of Indian food, but I would say that Makan Kitchen killed it with their Indian dishes. The Indian Butter Chicken was able to hold its own against the many contenders in the bazaar-type buffet.
Oriental Lamb Stew
The lamb stew gets a Yes from me, but the husband said, “It’s just tomato lamb.” To each their own, I suppose. If you like tomato-based dishes like I do, you’ll definitely enjoy it as much as I did.
Grilled Wagyu Minute Steak
Sounds decadent but I’ve had Angus beef that’s nicer than these dry and bland steaks. I couldn’t taste the buttery fat that Wagyu steaks are known for, and it’s so under-seasoned. A little more garlic or salt would have done wonders.
Signature Cheesecake
Their Signature Cheesecake is really a wonderful blend between American cheese cake and cream cheese cake. While the raspberry topping was a tad bit overpowering, the cake gets better with every bite.
Middle East Bread Porridge with Pistachio
I’ve actually never had Middle Eastern bread pudding until I tasted it at Makan Kitchen. It is a sweet dish and a win in my books.
Ayam Pansoh
I love Ayam Pansoh and Makan Kitchen did not disappoint! It was cooked to perfection and oh I would have just eaten this one dish all night long if given the chance.
Butter Rice
I wasn’t expecting much and only tried it because of the funky colors, but the fusion of basil and raisin in your mouth is a pleasantly surprising combo.
Rojak
I’m not sure which Rojak they are referring to – there’s Malaysian Rojak, and Indian Rojak that I know as Rojak Kucei. Both are spicier than I’m used to, and both works as appetizers.
Any dishes you should stay away from?
I think that the Laksa could have done so much better if they provided the right kind of beehoon.
The broth was rich and the prawns were fresh, but the wiry texture of the noodles they chose did it no favors!
The Mango Sticky Rice was also a complete failure. There’s a bitter aftertaste, the rice was not infused with coconut milk, and don’t get me started on the mango. It wasn’t sweet at all and tasted wrong!
Would you recommend Jelajah Selera?
There’s always going to be some disappointing dishes at any buffet.
Overall, I’d say that Makan Kitchen does a great job at presenting a wide selection of food to suit any palate. Plus, there’s a degree of quality to their foods that is hard to find at a buffet. At RM98+ per person, I think it’s well worth it.
You’ll be able to try it for yourself starting on the 3rd of April all the way till the 3rd of May, from 6:30PM to 10:00PM. To make a reservation, you can call 082223888 or email KUCHI_fb@hilton.com.
