Eden restaurants was one of most popular dining locations in Kuala Lumpur and Penang back in the 80’s.
We liked it for its good mix of halal western and local cuisines, and it was the kind of place where one would go to celebrate a momentous occasion. I remember one of the popular branches being located where the luxurious Pavilion Shopping Center now stands today. We hold many fond memories of dining at Eden restaurants. Today, Eden has moved its focus from restaurants to food catering services.
We recently attended the launch of a Ramadhan Buffet at the banquet hall of the new Persatuan Alumni Universiti Malaya (PAUM) Clubhouse, located just outside of University Malaya’s Damansara Entrance. Eden Catering with its 20 plus years of experience in culinary food preparation and management, and having served regular folks to royalties, state dignitaries, government ministries and corporate diners, received the exclusive rights to manage the food and beverage service for the clubhouse.
The intoxicating aroma of satay being grilled..
We arrived early to find Eden’s skilled chefs at their ‘hawker stalls’ busily preparing their popular street food favorites of satay and Penang fried koay teow, and grilling racks of lamb and beef.
Having had past experience dining with the brand, we were ready to be wowed by Eden’s buffet which would consist of a selection of Oriental, Malay and Western cuisines – a very muhibbah spread. The term muhibbah means goodwill but here it represents harmony between the ethnic food choices.
Gorgeous surroundings and pool area – very green and lush
Arrival and mingling of guests
Grand gamelan percussion to welcome guests
While waiting for guests to arrive, we wandered around the new clubhouse to find it housed a swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, meeting rooms, a surau and ablution facilities. The location is rather secluded with greenery around. It is odd to find such a serene spot just off the busy Damansara Link. If you’re caught in the evening rush during this month of fasting, then this buffet venue will be the wise choice to turn off for iftar.
Prayer before iftar
After the official speeches to officiate the event and prayers, the guests broke their fasts with dates and kuih already placed on the table. Eating a date or a sweet kuih provides a sugar kick to help the body start its digestive process and returns energy back to the fasting individual and allowing them to deal with more complex foods.
The buffet lines filled up fast and caterers were clever enough to place 2 identical buffet lines which allowed diners to queue on both sides of the table.
There were several food stations inside and outside the banquet hall offering specialties of fried snacks, dimsum, satay, mandhi rice besides the main courses of chicken curry, sambal prawn petai, masakan lemak perut dan nangka (Stomach and Jackfruit curry), and sweet sour fish.
Sweet Sour Fish – a great balance of flavours with a nice tangy sauce
Sambal Prawn Petai – pungent, toothsome and rather addictive. Petai is my favorite!
Stomach and jackfruit curry – fans of offal, this was the bomb. A nice chewy texture with a smooth gravy. The jackfruit added sweetness to the dish.
An assortment of ulam (raw herbs and vegetables) to be eaten with choices of sambal
Bubur Lambuk, the popular rice porridge is a must during the ramadhan month. Eden’s version has seafood and meat in it.
There are several types of spices used in making bubur lambuk which include aniseed, fenugreek, cardamom, cloves, star anise and black pepper. It has meat, dried shrimp, onion, garlic, coconut milk, ghee, coconut oil and salt in it. In addition, pandan leaves, parsley, green onions and fried onions are used to create the bubur lambuk’s appealing aroma. Packed with flavour and ingredients, this was a comforting dish and really rather tasty.
Eden’s version of the popular arabic Mandhi Rice
Succulent and moist roasted chicken over basmati rice with nuts, drenched with spicy curry sauce. There were 2 large serving plates which disappeared almost instantly, as soon as the meal began. It was that good!
My favorite for the evening, the Mee Rebus. Slightly sweet broth poured over egg noodles, tofu, beef slices, egg, vegetables, and a squeeze of lime to give it some sourness.
Delicious yellow noodles served with a thick spicy potato-based gravy and garnished with a hard-boiled egg, spring onions, bean sprouts, fried shallots, dried/ fried beancurd and lime juice was just too good for words. The gravy was really thick, rich and flavourful with a hint of sourness from the tamarind paste and also the lime juice. Bits of cucur udang/ bawang (prawns and onions fritters) made for a great accompaniment, by soaking up all that wonderful gravy. Another great addition is sambal, which adds an extra ‘kick’ to the dish.
Spaghetti Milanese, my second favorite for the evening
A lovely tomato based spaghetti which was toothsome and rich with flavour – irresistibly good!
Tropical fruits to end the dining experience
..and a variety of cakes and kuihs
The RAMADAN Buffet at PAUM Clubhouse is available from the 22 JUNE to 15th JULY 2015 for only RM57+ for adults and RM30+ for children 5-11 years. Not only are the prices affordable, you get FREE parking, and for every 10 paying adults, the 11th person is FREE. Definitely a very charitable occasion and an ideal place to buka puasa / break fast!
For reservations, kindly call +603 – 7803 8204 or email edencateringsales@edenzil.com
PAUM Address
Lot 10476, Jalan Susur Damansara (Jalan Damansara Lama),
59100 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
(Coming from the direction of Bangsar on Damansara Link, take the left turning before the exit to Kerinchi Link)
Please show us some FB LOVE, thank you!
The post Eden’s Ramadan Buffet @PAUM appeared first on CC Food Travel.