Located in Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral’s bright and green decorated restaurant Nook on the first floor of the hotel is celebrating Ramadan with a culinary journey inspired by the rich flavours from the Straits of Melaka. It is known as the historic maritime route that connected cultures and cuisines, and their Selat Melaka Ramadan menu beautifully combines bold spices, fresh seafood, and Nyonya-inspired dishes.
Excited about the chance to try out this buffet, my plus one and I headed to Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, where we parked downstairs. Not very easy I have to say, due to limited spaces, so here’s tip number one: take a Grab or a train to Aloft if you can.
Ahead of the buffet upstairs, we were invited to a small truck in front of the hotel, where roti John was prepared on the spot. It was fun watching the chefs preparing it and very tasty – a nice start to the buffet.
Selat Melaka Ramadan at Aloft
The buffet itself in Nook is a feast of time-honoured recipes from Melaka and beyond, offering all the essential dinner favourites. We indulged in dishes like asam laksa, which was a bit on the sour side, but otherwise delicious, and the chicken rice, which is a must-have in my opinion. The Nyonya Popiah stood out as well, together with the top hats with their crispy pastry skin and crunchy slightly spicy content. Being a fan of the raw vegetables called lalapan, I opted for a full plate, accompanied by sambal tempoyak, oh joy – this sambal is based on durian and nothing makes this Mama more happy than the taste and scent of the King of Fruits.
My plus one indulged in the fresh seafood on offer, which was fresh and tasty, as well as the Kambing Bakar Berempah with Nasi Beriani. This was served at a stall near the restaurant entrance, and we were delighted to hear the soft, melodic tones of a small gamelan orchestra which was set up on a small stage nearby.
Also on offer: Nasi Ulam, Ayam Pongteh, Kueh Pie Tee, and the delightful Rambutan Puding Diraja. We were headed for the desserts though and even with a moderate selection, the desserts we tried all tasted superb. I am tempted to say that the Serawa Durian with sticky rice was my personal favourite, but the traditional kuihs also truly stood out.
The friendly staff was available at all times to assist and the chefs were on standby to give elaborate explanations about the food. Overall, we had a great experience and we thought the buffet is great value for money!
RM188 nett per adult & RM98 nett per child
3 – 28 March 2025
6pm to 10pm
We were invited by Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
