During the month of Ramadan, the skilled and talented chefs at Thistle Johor Bahru have created an authentic Johorean buffet spread for Muslims and non-Muslims to enjoy.

The Warisan Johor Buffet and Hidang Style will take you on a culinary journey of the southern part of Malaysia. At the Orchid Ballroom, break your fast with delicious dates and a variety of Ramadhan juices to quench your thirst. Then, visit the 16 ‘hawker stations’ preparing your favourite Johorean dishes a la minute. The most popular is the Biryani Gam followed by a selection of other flavours of briyani such as lamb, chicken and vegetarian. The famous Briyani Gam will be complemented with ‘Raita’, a Pakistani influenced condiment made with yogurt (dahi).

Move on to the Assam Pedas ‘station’ where you will find a variety of fresh seafood such as Sea Prawns, Squid, Salmon Steak, Red Snapper Steak, Sting Ray, Sea Bass, Mackerel Tuna and Burasak, ready to be cooked Assam Pedas style.

Other stalls that you can feast your eyes on serve the Roti Kirai and Kacang Pol. Roti Kirai or better known as Roti Jala is a ‘net’ pancake served with a choice of Chicken Curry, Lamb Curry or Sweet Gravy. Kacang Pol, another Johorean favourite and a must try is made of braised red beans served with a toasted French Baguette and topped with a fried egg.

The live action ‘stations’ will also showcase favourites such as Chicken and Beef Satay, Otak-Otak, Chicken Yakitori, Lontong, Mee Rebus, Mee Bandung Muar and the popular Laksa Johor. Thistle will also be bringing back one of last year’s most visited stations which is the Roasted Lamb served with mint and garlic sauces.

Your ‘Iftar’ will not be complete without trying the Barbequed Chicken Wings and Honey Teriyaki Chicken.

For something light and tasty, try the Bubur Lambuk Asli and Bubur Lambuk with Fish and Prawns, specially created by the hotel’s Executive Chef, Imran Hamid. For those craving for seafood, head over to the Stir-fried Chilli Crabs and Deep-fried Fresh Water Prawns ‘stations’. Light snacks such as Keropok Lekor, Keropok Ikan, Spring Rolls and a variety of Curry Puffs, Deep-fried Prawn Fritters, Deep-fried Quail, Pandan Chicken and also Fried D24 Durians will definitely make you come back for more.

The Warisan Johor Buffet at the Orchid Ballroom will also feature a variety of local salads, namely Pecal, Kerabu Taugeh and Perut, Urap Pegaga, Fruit Rojak, and vegetarian dishes such as Braised Japanese Bean Curd, Kung Pao Soy Chicken, Sweet & Sour Soy Fish and Stir Fried Garden Greens.

Save the best for the last at the sweet temptation corner. This Ramadhan, Thistle Johor Bahru will be showcasing a total of 45 desserts that are sure to delight diners. The dessert counter will feature 8 different cakes like the Red Velvet and Banana Moist, 20 types of Malay ‘kuih’ and local desserts such as Penderam, Kuih Bakar, Wajik, Dodol, Halwa Maskat, Seri Muka, Bingka Ubi, Lepat Ubi and Pisang and Talam Suji.  If you prefer to opt for something western, check out the selection of puddings, sweet porridges, the chocolate fountain and an assortment of ice cream flavours.

Be entertained by Ghazal and Zapin performance throughout the ‘buka puasa’ period. Prayer rooms are provided by the hotel. The buffet starts from 14 July 2013 onwards and is available until 10.30pm. It is priced at RM95.00++ per adult and children aged 7 to 12 years old receive a 25% discount.

Hidang Style at Glass Restaurant is the brainchild of Executive Chef Imran Hamid. It will feature a semi buffet spread coupled with a family oriented dining experience. Diners will get to enjoy a selection of appetizers, soups and desserts from the buffet with the selection of 5 main dishes and a choice of Fragrant Rice, Kampung Fried Rice or Briyani, which will be served at the table, Hidang Style.

Diners will get to choose from a selection of 5 vegetable dishes such as Stir-fried Mixed Mushrooms, Fried Asparagus with Prawns and Tapioca Shoots in Salted Fish Coconut Milk Gravy. The kitchen has also prepared a selection of fish dishes for you to enjoy. Diners can indulge in the Steamed Cod Fish in Ginger Soy Sauce, Red Snapper Assam Pedas or the Siakap in Pineapple Thai Sauce.

The star of the Hidang Style at Glass Restaurant has to be the meat dishes prepared in a variety of local styles such as Beef Rendang, Smoked Beef in Coconut Milk and Bird’s Eye Chilli Gravy, Ginger Stir-fried Beef, Black Pepper Mutton or Spicy Caramelised Mutton.

Seafood fans will have the opportunity to savour Buttered Prawns, Prawns in Coconut Milk Gravy, Roasted Squid with Dried Chilli Sambal, Deep-fried Slipper Lobsters a la Thai or Slipper Lobsters in Spicy Sambal.

With all the local delights to choose from, it’s a small wonder why some choose to indulge themselves in the Hidang Style at Glass Restaurant, priced at RM120.00++ per adult and children aged 7 to 12 years old receive a 25% discount. Hidang Style at Glass Restaurant starts from 10 July 2013. Thistle Johor Bahru wishes everyone ‘Selamat Berpuasa’ and for reservations, please call 07 – 267 8984 (9am to 5pm) or 07 – 222 9234 Ext. 80189 (5pm to 9pm).
 

Read more: A Snapshot of Johor’s Culinary Excellence