This article is part of my Ramadan 2019 compilation.
Special thanks to Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang for extending this food review invitation.
Starting this week, Bayview Hotel Georgetown Penang is serving a new buffet menu to coincide with the fasting month of Ramadan. Dinner is served from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at Kopi Tiam, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant.
Lamb Briyani is Bayview Hotel’s signature dish. Thanks to the infusion of mutton, the rice is extremely savory. Long-grain basmati rice is used as its light texture allows spices to take the center stage. The dish is garnished with hard-boiled eggs and is served in a ceramic pot.
Next, Ikan Keli Masak Lemak Nenas is a dish of catfish and pineapples cooked with coconut milk. The creamy gravy is also infused with turmeric, resulting in its distinctive yellow color. I enjoy the delicate texture and exquisite taste of catfish. Use caution while eating because catfish has lots of small bones!
As for something lighter on the palate, go for a helping of Sayur Labu Kuning Masak Pucuk Manis. This vegetable stew consists of pumpkins, sweet leaves, cabbage, tomatoes and spring onions.
Vietnamese Spring Rolls, known locally as “chả giò”, is prepared from minced meat, jicama, mushrooms and vegetables. The fillings are rolled with rice paper and deep-fried to delectable crisp.
Ulam-Ulaman comprise of ulam raja (king’s salad), kacang botol (winged beans), kacang panjang (yardlong beans), bendi (lady’s fingers) and timun (cucumber). The raw vegetables are typically eaten with condiments like sambal kicap (spicy soy sauce), cincalok (fermented shrimps) and sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste).
Other popular Malay delicacies are Acar Mentah Mat Gebu (pickled cucumber, pineapple & carrot), Kerabu Mangga (unripe mango & peanut salad) and Nasi Kerabu (blue-colored rice). Nasi Kerabu, is a popular rice dish from the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The rice is dyed blue by cooking it with bunga telang (butterfly-pea flowers).
Hailing from Terengganu, Cucur Lekor is made from fish and sago flour. Although the outer layer is crispy, the center remains somewhat chewy. This scrumptious snack is usually enjoyed with sweet chili sauce.
As for Chicken Satay, chicken is marinated with spices such as turmeric. Skewered chicken is then grilled until it becomes slightly charred. This snack is typically eaten with spicy peanut sauce.
The buffet spread includes several live action stalls that serve Laksa Kahwin, Mee Udang, Rojak and more. Diners can also request for roast chicken, steamed chicken and tandoori chicken from one of these stalls. Soy eggs and tofu are available too.
The desserts section should not be overlooked. The Rainbow Pudding, Mango Pudding, Crème Caramel and Fruit Jelly are enticing indeed. Meanwhile, Western pastries are represented by Carrot Cake, Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Moist Cake. There are also several types of Malay kuih to delight one’s sweet tooth.
Cendol and Ais Kacang are excellent desserts to cleanse the palate after a satisfying meal. As for warm desserts, help yourself to Bubur Kacang Hijau (mung bean soup), Bubur Cha Cha (sago & sweet potato soup) or Bubur Pulut Hitam (black glutinous rice porridge).
The Ramadan buffet dinner at Bayview Hotel is served every evening from 6 May 2019 to 3 June 2019. The buffet price is RM80.00 net for adults, RM48.00 net for children, and RM65.00 net for senior citizens. Bayview Hotel also offers a special discount for group bookings.
Name: Kopi Tiam
Address: Bayview Hotel, 25-A, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-263-3161
Business hours: 6:30am-1:00am
Website: https://bhgp.bayviewhotels.com/dining-drinks/kopitiam
Coordinates: 5.42192 N, 100.33588 E
Directions: Bayview Hotel is located at Leith Street (Lebuh Leith), between Lebuh Farquhar and Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah. Kopi Tiam is located on the Ground Floor and next to the lobby. The hotel’s multi-storey parking garage is accessible from Lebuh Farquhar. Street parking is also available in front of the hotel.
