Thanksgiving has never been a thing with Malaysians as it’s such an American holiday, and we’re more British in terms of holidays as we were under British rule anyway. Although, the idea behind Thanksgiving – to give thanks for family, friends, food, health, and all the good things that’s happened in the year – is something I can really get behind. I’ve come to think of Thanksgiving as such a wonderful holiday and tradition.
When we got the invite to Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s Thanksgiving dinner, I was very much looking forward to it as there aren’t many places in KL that celebrate Thanksgiving. I’m sure the fact that it’s not an official public holiday, and it occurs on the last Thursday of November, plays a role in the reasoning behind the lack of Thanksgiving meals out there.
When the teen and I stepped into the private room in Lemon Garden, I was blown away by the set-up and décor. The room oozed fall colours (which made me miss Seoul terribly), and it seemed like we were wrapped in a warm embrace from the get-go. The hospitality staff on hand also played a pivotal role in welcoming us with big smiles, that went along with their excellent service.
Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner: let’s dig in
Kicking things off was the salad bar. Lemon Garden grows their own greens hydroponically and the greens are harvested every two weeks – as fresh, and as local as you can get!
Moving on to the main event – the turkey. The turkeys sourced are locally farmed, and are certified halal. There were two types of turkey on offer – one was the traditional offering, and the other was Turkey ‘Meletup’. The traditional turkey took me by surprise by its extremely moist and juicy meat. It was really enjoyable to eat, even on its own, without any sauces.
I stayed away from the Turkey ‘Meletup’ as I can’t take spicy food but the teen convinced me to try it as apparently it wasn’t spicy at all. I did and even dipped the meat in the accompanying Percik sauce and my, oh my, that was the best combination ever. This was a true nod to Malaysian cooking style and I simply ate it up! The Turkey ‘Meletup’ on its own, was just slightly peppery so it was kind of misleading that it was called ‘Meletup’. I do hope that folks like me who stay away from spicy food would at least give it a taste as they’d be missing out on a great combination if they don’t!
“This year, we wanted to celebrate through both classic and locally inspired creations, including a turkey infused with bold Malaysian spices for those who love a touch of heat. All turkeys are specially sourced, sustainably locally grown and halal-certified, ensuring everyone can enjoy the feast. It is a joyful nod to our diverse culinary culture, bringing a sense of home to every table,” says Chef Scott Brands.
There was also Roast Beef and this was cooked to pink perfection. Accompanying the Roast Beef were sides of rice pilaf (aromatic and fluffy) and Brussels sprouts.
I always judge how good a buffet is based on how much the teen eats (he is a growing lad after all, and can eat us out of house and home!). I’m happy to report that he went back for multiple refills. He simply couldn’t get enough.
For dessert, I tried my first Linzer Tart, which is a traditional Austrian pastry, a shortbread, topped with fruit preserves and sliced nuts. It was just alright for me but this isn’t a fair call as I generally do not like berries. The Apple Tart on the other hand, I could have gobbled the entire tart on its own!
Seeing that this is Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s first Thanksgiving Buffet, I say kudos to Chef Scott Brands for putting on such a delectable feast. The food was the definite star of the show, as it should be.
The Thanksgiving Buffet Dinner on 27 November 2025 is priced at RM198 nett per person. For dining reservations and inquiries, please call +603 2786 2378 or email festive.KL@shangri-la.com.
For those celebrating at home, Lemon Garden 2Go presents an exceptional collection of Festive Roasts, available for delivery and takeaway from 20 November 2025 to 2 January 2026.
Gourmet turkey selections start from RM788 nett, while other roast options are priced from RM288 nett. All items are available for pre-order now until 2 January 2026, with delivery and takeaway from 20 November 2025 to 2 January 2026.
We were invited by Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
