Best of Terengganu
This Ramadan, enjoy a choice of 120 dishes at Permai Hotel Kuala Terengganu while contributing to the Dana Gaza fund, writes Zalina Mohd Som
DAYS before I left for my short working trip to Kuala Terengganu, I’d planned my food schedule — what to eat, where and when. But, of course, being a fan of hotel breakfast buffets, the schedule included breakfast at the hotel I was to stay at — Permai Kuala Terengganu, a three-star hotel strategically located on busy Jalan Sultan Mahmud.
A colleague told me not to leave Cahaya Restaurant without tasting its nasi dagang, a staple Terengganu breakfast dish. Even though I’m not a big fan of flavoured rice dishes, I do have my go-to nasi dagang outlet when in Terengganu.
Sceptical, I give its nasi dagang a try when I book in. A mouthful of the perfectly cooked rice with gulai ikan tongkol (mackarel tuna in thick coconut gravy) and acar (pickles) is enough to make me swallow my words. And the best part is, I can go back for more!
Ialsotryits lempeng (pancake) — Malaystyle and served with sambal tumis ikan bilis. While the sambal is a bit sweet for my liking, the lempeng is perfect in taste and consistency.
Another advantage of a buffet is that I can mix and match my food. Since I don’t really like the sambal that goes with the lempeng, I eat it with gulai ikan tongkol from the nasi dagang station. Perfect!
Other noteworthy items at the breakfast buffet include nasi minyak (yes, nasi minyak
that is usually served at Malay weddings) and traditional Malay kuih like putu piring and kayu keramat (a Terengganu version of doughnut). While the selections change daily, nasi dagang remains the daily star.
FOOD AND FUND
Like the previous months of Ramadan, Cahaya Restaurant is offering Rahmat Iftar, a sumptuous buffet spread of more than 120 dishes from all over the world.
“This year, we offer a whole lamb Morrocan style as our signature dish. For this we use the best spices and flavourings to enhance the taste of the roast lamb,” says executive chef Mat Andri Abas. The coffee house serves two whole lambs daily throughout Ramadan.
Another sought-after dish is local favourite, ketupat sotong, squid stuffed with glutinous rice and cooked in coconut milk with local herbs and spices. Since it’s the squid-jigging season now, expect fresh squid in this delicious East Coast dish.
Mouthwatering dishes aside, what makes Rahmat Iftar even more special is the hotel’s joint fundraising efforts with Aman Palestin. For every purchase of the
Rahmat Iftar voucher, RM1 will go to the Dana Gaza fund which will be then sent to Gaza by Aman Palestin.
“This gives our patrons opportunity to do their bit to help the Palestinians,” says general manager Noralizan Abdul Rahman.
STAY AND FAST
Besides the breaking-of-fast buffet, Cahaya Restaurant offers a special Moreh or light supper, traditionally served after terawih prayers. Priced at RM10, the Moreh, which consists of traditional Malay kuih, bubur (sweet porridge) of the day and hot drinks, is served from 9.30pm to midnight.
Then at 4am, the outlet serves a selection of food for sahur (pre-dawn meal) priced at RM35 per adult. The menu for sahur changes daily.
These late night meals aside, Permai Kuala Terengganu elevates its Ramadan offerings with a special Ramadan Wow Rate of RM150 per Deluxe room per night. The package includes sahur or breakfast for two.