Tag Archives: Malay
Istana Bambu, Ampang
We travelled quite a distance from where we were to get to Istana Bambu in addition to my complete cluelessness on how to get to Ampang. But yay we made it there in one piece!
Istana Bambu faces the MRR2 and is quite easy to locate using Google Map, or if you currently reside around that area. It means Bamboo Palace in Malay, and yes, the entire restaurant is covered in bamboo architecture. They serve Nusantara and Chinese Seafood cuisine and their menu has an abundance of different cooking styles of crabs, prawns, fish, and even lobster.
There are three main areas in the restaurant. The dining hall is where the lunch buffet is held (RM19.90 for Lunch Buffet), the small bamboo huts you can reserve for private dinners, and a walkway leading to a performance area by a pond that shows performances by Istana Budaya on weekday nights.
Main (Speciality): Fried Crispy Beef, RM18. Doused in sweet kicap, this dish is best eaten when it’s hot as it is deep fried. It was more crunchy than crispy, and it gets addictive after a while. My partner in crime loves this dish out of the lot.
Main: Deep Fried Kerabu Mango Fish, RM45 – RM65. We had the Siakap, but there is the Kerapu fish as another option (also at the same price). The best part about this dish is the fish is fried so the outer layer is crispy and the inner is chewy (the good kind). I personally loved this because the mango kerabu wasn’t too sour or too tasteless. The slight tinge of heat from the sweet and sour chilli sauce was an added plus to the whole flavour.
Main: Salted Egg Crab, RM48 – RM80. The crabs were really fresh because the flesh comes out from the shell quite easily. The salted egg is blended nicely and sticks to the crab shell, making it finger licking good. I ate so much of this that it satisfied my craving for it very well.
Main: Thai Style Prawn, RM43 – RM64. The prawns were great, and since the dried chilli paste cooked with it had dried prawns in the mix, this dish gave out a really prawny taste. The chilli wasn’t too overpowering either, which made us reach for more after the first helping.
Main: Broccoli with Mixed Mushroom, RM24 – RM37. The broccoli was cooked to the point that it wasn’t too crunchy nor too soft. I would prefer a less starchy gravy, probably because I had far too much seafood already.
We did not have enough room in our tummies to have dessert, but do try the chocolate cakes they have because they look really tempting.
What to try: If you are a seafood fan, definitely try the lot.
Who to bring: Family or that significant other (they do reservations for romantic candlelight dinners)
Istana Bambu
A: Lot 841-842, Jalan Hulu Kelang,
68000 Ampang, Selangor
R: 03-4251 4717 / 03-4252 4718
E: info@istanabambu.com.my
O: Mon – Thurs: 12.00pm – 10.30pm, Fri – Sun: 12.00pm – 11.30pm
Kelantan Delights, Subang Jaya
As most of the Kelantanese have incorporated some Thai traditions and customs into their culture, this has also been translated to their cuisine. Kelantan Delights brings this traditional Kelantanese Malay cuisine served in a five-star dining ambience. Looking from the outside of the restaurant, we see white curtains framing wide glass panels with dark wooden beams to give it that twist of Kelantan Malay architecture.
When we step in, we are immediately greeted by a friendly staff and ushered to a private room with wooden sliding doors. What’s delightful about the restaurant’s space is the tall ceiling and glass panels letting natural light stream in from delicate white curtains. With that, we were magically transported away from the hustle of every day traffic and into a holiday resort within the suburbs.
Appetizer: Keropok Lekor (RM 8.50). Unlike ordinary keropok lekor that has a chewy texture, this one has a fuller bite with a crispy layer. KD takes it to the next level where there is a hint of black pepper giving it that extra zing.
Main: Nasi Tumpang (RM15.00). This unique, narrow, cone-shaped wrap has multiple layers of shrimp floss, fresh prawns, chicken and egg alternating with soft rice wrapped in a cone of banana leaves. It was originally made for farmers who go out to the field, where they eat the Nasi Tumpang portion by portion. Here at Kelantan Delights, it is served with ayam goreng, a fried chicken maryland.
Main: Nasi Dagang (RM 20.00). We tried this with the Gulai Ikan. What’s great is the unpolished rice gives it a grainy feel that compliments the fish nicely. With a good sauce-to-rice ratio, this won’t feel too dry.
Main: Nasi Kerabu (RM19.00). The mix of flavours from the various spices, coconut sauce and ulam (beansprout salad) made the blue rice (naturally coloured by the Telang flower) was heaven. The ayam percik (percik-roasted chicken) melded with the mixed rice perfectly.
Main: Laksam Siti Wan Kembang (RM14.00). Served with a belacan-chilli sauce, we loved how soft and smooth the rice roll cuts were paired with kembong and tenggiri fish. The rice rolls are wide rings that soak up the creamy sauce well. For the adventurous, try the kuah belut (RM3.50) to go along with this dish.
For sharing: Ikan Siakap (RM49.00). We had the ikan siakap with Daun Kadok. The flavour is pretty complex with a slight tinge of heat from the chillies.
Drink (signature): KD Fruit Punch (RM9.50). A combination of fresh watermelon, mango, rose cordial and a slice of lime, this drink is a perfect refresher from the rich food.
We tried a selection of desserts (from left to right): Ketupat Sotong, Pulut Durian, Sira Ubi with Ice-Cream, Sira Pisang, and Lompat Tikam.
If you’re daring enough, be sure to try the Ketupat Sotong, which is glutinous rice stuffed in squid. The Pulut Durian is available all year round (they actually go around Malaysia to scout the best durians to grace atop a bed of pulut) so that would definitely satisfy your durian cravings!
Must Try: Nasi Kerabu
Who to Bring: Your extended family. Perfect for a special occasion or family gatherings!
Kelantan Delights
A: Ground Floor East Wing
Wisma Consplant 1
No 2 Jalan SS16/4
47500 Subang Jaya
R: + 603 5611 7845
O: 11am – 11pm daily
Food Pinata 