“Sedap Restaurant is excited to introduce Peranakan On Plate, an authentic Baba Nyonya dinner buffet. A fusion cuisine of the unique marriage between Chinese and Malay cultures alongside Indonesian influences, the buffet studies authentic family heirloom home recipes directly from Madam Luan Neo, offering generations – old traditional flavours featuring her signatures Ayam Pongteh with Lotus Leaf Bun, Nyonya Steamed Fish with Buah Keluak, and Pang Susi – Thursdays to Saturdays from 8 May until 1 June 2025.”
Driving up to Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre (opposite Pavilion Kuala Lumpur) was very easy once you got past the usual KLCC jam. We passed a lovely array of white tented stalls, a kind of outdoor food court, with a large outdoor carpark, which we highly suggest you use, if you are not a fan of driving up 5 floors of circular ramps to reach the Pullman KLCC carpark. Grabbing the lift to the 1st floor or lobby was easy from the carpark and the lobby restaurant was inviting with servers decked out appropriately (waitresses in beautiful baju kurung a la Nonya style and the teh tarik man in the nostalgic white uniform and cap) and colourful umbrellas hung from the ceiling. (For those of you still stymied on the word Peranakan, here are 4 interesting facts.)
We were seated with other members of the media, which is often the best part, meeting new people and discussing experiences, sharing stories and gripes. Overall the buffet was slightly underwhelming but there were some key highlights. We didn’t get to sample all the wonderful Nonya choices as promised on the press release, but here is what we did try.
Peranakan on Plate: the standouts
The pai tee or top hats as they are more commonly known, were DELICIOUS. I would definitely come back for these little mouth-watering crispy savoury treats. But I have always been a fan of these appetisers. A must try for anyone new to Malaysia or Peranakan food. The chap chye mixed veg with snow fungus and beehoon was very light and refreshing. We also managed to snag a mantou (steamed bun which was quickly demolished) and tried the slightly sweet sauced and juicy ayam pongteh (chicken). Worth it. They also had on offer a traditional nasi lemak station with some extra items on offer such as fish cake and a kind of mixed meat cake, displayed with a few different kind of sauces such as yoghurt with mint and sweet chilli sauce with coriander. An interesting offer.
The other dishes on offer were very good – excellent fresh crispy Waldorf salad with strawberries and plums, juicy roast lamb, pan seared lemon herb barramundi and crispy potatoes. The fresh sashimi and sushi stations were also popular. Also on offer a creamy shrimp soup, the old favourite chicken and beef satay with peanut sauce and the assam laksa / curry laksa station (which was unfortunately a bit watery for my taste). Surprisingly they had an array of fresh breads on offer as well, with large tubs of butter (usually a breakfast offer, but still welcomed). The olive focaccia was very tasty.
Probably the winner of the night, was the dessert table, displaying some uniquely presented desserts, not oft seen – such as the mango puree and cream filled mango pancake and the mango jelly mousse cake. Pleasing to the eyes and mouth! Gula melaka jelly cups were quite yum (though I took out the kidney beans, it may please some), the brown square jelly ‘kuih koh swee’ with coconut sprinkles was a light delight and the crunchy coconut tart was the right way to end. (We didn’t partake in the peach gum snow fungus dessert or the bubur cha cha as we were already full by then.) The self serve yoghurt ice cream was a winner too and fun for kids!
Peranakan on Plate runs every Thursday, Friday & Saturday from 6:30pm to 10pm. It is priced at RM158 per adult and RM79 per child.
Enjoy 50% off for every second diner – applicable to only adults.
All prices quoted are subject to prevailing applicable taxes.
We were invited by Pullman Kuala Lumpur City Centre. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
