(From left) Teratak Satay; Daging Bakar Harimau Menangis and Udang Botok Botok. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
FINDING Daging Bakar Harimau Menangis in the buffet fare might stop you in your tracks but worry not, it is a beef dish and does not involve any tigers.
The dish’s name, which translates to “crying tiger grilled beef”, is said to have originated from Laos and northeastern Thailand where it is known as suea rong hai.
The use of harimau menangis (crying tiger) in the dish’s name can be traced back to folklore – one of which tells a story of villagers finding remains of a cow that had been killed by a tiger.
It is believed that the tiger felt sorry for hunting the cow and would leave behind the lower breast part (brisket).
Villagers who found the brisket would take it home to cook.
Ayam Pasu is chicken marinated with local spices for 24 hours, and then grilled over a claypot.
Recipes suggest that beef brisket is the preferred cut but it largely depends on the cook.
Those eager to try this dish should head to Sunset Terrace at Sunway Resort Hotel in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya in Selangor, for the “Nostalgic Indulgence with Malaysian Treasured Recipes” buffet.
The Ramadan buffet focuses on traditional flavours of Malay culinary heritage from across generations.
Here, the chef has opted for a whole beef leg which is marinated for 24 hours.
It is then slow-roasted for five hours at 130ºC before the juicy beef is ready.
Chef de cuisine Afiq Matkhir said the Daging Bakar Harimau Menangis was his favourite because of the many spices in the recipe.
“The dish comes with a special sambal made with gula melaka, fish sauce, calamansi juice, fresh coriander, chilli and garlic.
“The tangy sauce goes very well with the beef,” he said.
Another must-have signature item here is the Ayam Pasu – chicken grilled over a claypot.
The bird is marinated with honey and spices such as lemongrass, red chilli, ginger, galangal, garlic, onion, turmeric, fennel, cumin, coriander and chilli powder for up to 24 hours.
It is then grilled over a charcoal fire and served with homemade chilli sauce comprising lemongrass, ginger, turmeric, onions and chilli powder.
The roast chicken and sambal remind me of my grandmother’s cooking back in my kampung.
For seafood lovers, the Sotong Raja is marinated with the hotel’s secret sambal Nyonya before it is grilled.
The slightly sweet, soft and tender chewy grilled squid had me going back for more.
More traditional favourites served here include sup ekor, soto ayam, Teratak Satay, lemang, ketupat, rendang tok and serunding for a nostalgic taste of dishes served during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Besides popular traditional favourites, other choices for diners are fresh seafood on ice, the sushi bar, jeruk, fruits and a variety of classic rice dishes such as nasi hujan panas and nasi minyak as well as other local favourites like Asam Pedas Jenahak, Oxtail Sambal Lada and Botok Botok Udang.
Traditional ulam (herbs) and kerabu await those who enjoy the herbaceous notes of local greens, which are to be eaten with a range of sambal including sambal belacan, sambal budu and sambal hijau, to name a few.
The kerabu pucuk paku had a balanced taste offering spicy, sweet and nutty flavour profiles on the palate.
There is also an array of Chinese and Indian dishes as well as international fare in the Ramadan buffet.
The Chinese Hot Wok section presents assorted dim sum, Sichuan Popcorn Chicken, Braised Crabmeat Soup, Chicken Lor Bak, spring roll, Wok-fried Vegetable Station and Chef’s Signature dishes which are Roast Truffle Duck and Grilled Chicken Salai.
Over at the Indian counter, one can delight in Dum Biryani, naan, paratha, Tandoori Prawn, Chicken Tikka Masala, Mutton Kashmiri Rogan Josh and Kerala Fish Curry, besides an array of vegetarian dishes.
Desserts are plentiful for those with a sweet tooth like me.
A colourful assortment of traditional kuih-muih, biscuits, ais kacang, pengat, appam balik pandan and cakes tempt from afar as you make your way around the buffet.
Sunset Terrace is perfect for a gathering of family and friends, with the restaurant’s warm and welcoming ambience setting the tone for a lovely evening as you break your fast.
The promotion is priced at RM228 per adult and RM114 per child aged six to 12.
The buffet is served from 6.30pm to 10.30pm until April 21.
Sunset Terrace, Sunway Resort Hotel, Bandar Sunway. (Tel: 03-7495 2009/03-7492 8000). Business hours: Open 24 hours.
This is the writer’s observation and not an endorsement by StarMetro.
