I want to try something different in my write-up about BCCK’s Ramadhan buffet this year. I am not sure how you will accept it, but there must be different ways to write a food review, particularly about BCCK’s which has been simply ‘the buffet to beat’ every Ramadhan. Maybe I’ll focus less on the food. We’ll see how this post goes by. Hope you read on.
Well, like previous years, this year I was again invited to do a ‘food tasting’ session at BCCK. When it comes to BCCK, you could expect things to get really grand, because that’s how they love doing it. BIG, HUGE and IN FULL STYLE.
Their Ramadhan buffet is no exception. Occupying one huge hall, with not less than 70 different dishes, and ample places to seat like a King, the BCCK Ramadhan buffet would delight anyone whom was willing to pay RM75 per person.
To add flavor this year, a new chef has taken over the kitchen at BCCK, and his promise to make things happen for BCCK is evident when in less than 12 days, he has made the annual BCCK Ramdhan buffet bigger and more glorious. I was there yesterday to see and taste the whole thing, and he has my votes.
But let me start with the less pleasing things about the buffet which was themed ‘Balik Kampung’. Well, despite the theme, the sambal belacan which originates from the village didn’t have the ‘umphh!’ I was hoping for as it seemed lacking in belacan (shrimp paste) and chilies.
The ‘jelly fish umai’ was also not up to my standards because it tasted, well… a little tasteless, and the Beef Masala was quite difficult to bite for my liking.
However, the disappointments over the buffet stops there because the rest was just free flowing goodness of food!
I started off with their signature whole roasted lamb, and the dish didn’t disappoint me. This year, black pepper sauce made its way to the dish, and it was perfect! For those intending to watch your cholesterol levels, well… hard luck for you mates, because this is one dish that would make you return to BCCK, or at least make you make return to the ‘roasted lamb’ stall!
With such a huge amount of selections, I had problems deciding of what I wanted to eat next, but soon decided a good plate of white rice with a mixture of different types of hot food and appetizers would be just nice.
Among the few notable dishes that made its way to my plate was one of the 5 types of ‘Kerabu’. Normally, I’d decide not to give ‘Kerabu’ a try, but this time, I felt it’s about time I did, and hell yeah to the ‘Kerabu’ served!
For a person who just loves sour food, this was really wonderful as an appetizer. It was sour, and the taste of the vege was evident. My only dismay was that it was not spicy enough, but then I guess if it was, I’d be the only one eating it.
A local favorite ‘tempoyak‘ was also served, and I found it just like the ones you have in the village. I think Irene was proof that the ‘tempoyak‘ was really good because she kept talking about how nice it was.
The poached prawn on ice also proved to be a hit with the prawns fast disappearing every time it was reloaded, although I must admit, I didn’t try this dish personally due to ‘a thing’ I have for cold served seafood.
I did however try out the Fried Mee Hoon Siam and Stirred Fried Siew Pak Choy with Garlic, which were equally delicious. The Pak Choy in particular retained its original vege juice, hence making it crunchy upon every bite. Love it this way!
Then there’s the Mussel Au Gratin curry style. This dish confused me because it had lemon, looked like ‘a lemon based’ dish, but then proved to have this creamy curry taste which was simply delightful. I don’t think I could express properly how it taste, because I am still confused if it should be called ‘curry’, but then, this was goooooddd!!
My second round of dishes came with less filling food with the Udang Goreng Berkunyit dengan Petai (I just realized ‘dengan Petai). It was good, but I don’t remember any ‘Petai’ in it. Probably I didn’t scoop deep enough, or the ‘Petai’ was shredded to small micro pieces. You tell me when you go there to ‘Buka Puasa’.
Also had ‘Grilled Lamb with Rosemary Sauce’ which is like the little brother of the roasted whole lamb because it was simply perfect and tender, but in no way able to defeat the whole roast lambs seductiveness. Probably I felt that way because I was quite full, but yeah, it does take a lot to beat the whole roast lamb (and why am I still talking about the whole roast lamb?)
BCCK also serves the best Shawarma in the city, and this time around, the Shawarma got extra big – as in ‘Ang Moh’ palm size big!
Tell you, the Shawarma could easily be voted second if I were to rate the best dishes that night, but it fell a bit short behind the ‘Vegetarian Shark’s fin soup‘ which I thought was flawless. A tip for the Shawarma; ask for more mayo and sauce.
Well, my tummy was already ‘uber’ full by then, and I just slightly managed to squeeze in two scoops of ice cream, and a surprisingly delicious ‘cucur udang‘ from another two of the many stalls available at the buffet, before summing up the evening with a delicious Coconut Pudding.
But I tell you honestly, this years buffet was far better than last years’, and I think was also better than the 2011 edition I also had a privileged to go for. The selections were amazing, and the quality BCCK had retained over the years just makes it probably the best buffets in in my books, not only for Ramadhan.
The decoration was also impressive, and the indie stalls outside the great hall just added more colour to the whole dining experience.
With that said, dail 082-392889 to book your spot at BCCK’s Ramadhan buffet which comes alive everyday during this fasting month from 630PM-10PM.
I’m returning for seconds, mark my word.