KNOWHERE Bangsar, a contemporary fusion restaurant – in conjunction with the ongoing fasting month of Ramadan – is offering a takeaway special: two sets of delicious classic Malay food.
Pantai Timur (east coast) and Pantai Barat (west coast) offer two varieties of equally delectable food offerings that should satisfy even those with a discerning palate.
The presentation of the food itself is quite nice, with one decently-sized box containing eight smaller boxes containing the individual dishes. It is recommended that each of the sets has enough to serve three to four people and that sounds about right, though appetites vary of course.
Conveniently each box is labelled with the dish contained in both Malay and English. Overall, it is a very impressive presentation.
Besides the visual, another thing that hits you is the aroma. It just smells good as all the smells from each dish coalesce into the smell of traditional Malay cooking. You could be forgiven for thinking that this was the definitive “smell of Malaysia.”
Each box has a good variety of dishes in terms of appetiser, rice dishes, meat/fish dishes, and kuih.
The varieties of rice are tasty, each providing a different mouthful of flavour. It’s hard to pick a favourite as each is delicious in its own way, and is able to elevate whatever meat dish they are eaten with.
The food as a whole is very satisfying and flavourful. A highlight for the Pantai Timur set is the Harimau Menangis Bakar (Spiced Grilled Sirloin Steak Slices). In general, it is hard to find steak cooked rare that is just right. The tamarind ginger chilli sauce adds a nice complexity to the taste.
For the Pantai Barat set, the combination of the Kari Kambing (Mutton Curry) and Pulut Kuning Serunding (Turmeric Sticky Rice) is just plain delicious. The Pacheri Nanas (Pineapple in Spiced Pickle Sauce) is one of the rare vegetarian dishes, but it more than competes and offers a counterbalance to the meat on offer.
Both sets have a fish dish utilising the same fish – barramundi (Asian sea bass), yet there is a difference in flavour due to the different spices used, which speaks to the versatility of the fish. They are moist and delectable.
If there is a weak point to what’s on offer, it might have to be the kuih. On the positives, there is a good amount of different varieties. It’s not that the kuih itself is bad, it just isn’t as special as everything else.
Priced at RM178.60++, this is very much a premium product that will be outside the price range of some. However, for the amount of food and the quality, it seems like an option for a special occasion.
These two Ramadan sets will be available from April 13 to May 12, with the last day to make an order being May 7. It is recommended that orders be made at least two days in advance.
In the end, this is a very good set of delicious delicacies that should fill anyone up. Not to be hyperbolic but the experience of eating the full set with friends and family is a transporting experience.
This is food meant to be eaten and shared in the company of close ones. Breaking fast with food like this is meant to remind us that we belong to a community. – The Vibes, April 16, 2021
Delivery is available up to areas such as Putrajaya, Shah Alam, and Rawang, with delivery fees applicable. Orders can be made via WhatsApp at 010-220 2358.
