GastroMonth 2024 is back to shake the culinary world again, offering food enthusiasts various cuisines from Michelin Guide-recognised restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Besides savouring these culinary delights, a portion of the proceeds will be handed to local charities and organisations to aid underprivileged children.
During GastroMonth, which is organised by FunNow Malaysia — a Taiwanese lifestyle booking app brought to Malaysia by Philip Ting and Lisa Ong—diners get to experience some best cuisine from acclaimed restaurants in KL and Penang from just RM68 per person, until the end of June. Here are some of our highlights from the month of fine food festivities.
Thai food with local flavours at Malai Thai Cuisine
Malai Thai Cuisine is known for serving Thai food fused with local flavours and ingredients such as pad Thai chicken, por pieer tod or spring roll, and tub tim grub, also known as waterchestnut. As recommended by the team of Thai chefs, try the restaurant’s version of the tom yum soup or Thai green curry. The three-course menu is priced at RM68 nett per person.
European delights with an Asian twist at Sambal
Sambal has a knack for mixing local favourites with European elements. On the menu, you will start with mini loaded empings. As for the mains, the Lap Mei Fun—fragrant rice, Chinese sausage, char siew and crispy pork lard—is cooked and flavoured with European spices. Or you can opt for the Udang Entangled and finish with the taro purée for dessert. This three-course menu is priced at RM68 nett per person.
Indochinese food at Tamarind Hill
The menu at Tamarind Hill by Samadhi Retreats is centred on authentic Thai, Laos and Burmese dishes such as pan-seared sea bass, Beef Massaman Curry and Vietnamese spring roll. The restaurant is situated in a colonial bungalow surrounded by luscious greenery. If you’re looking to escape the busy city centre without having to fly too far, then book your three-course lunch (RM68 nett per person) at this resort-like restaurant here.
Authentic Indian cuisine at Qureshi
This family-owned Indian restaurant serves some of the most authentic dishes in the city with a modern twist, including Burrah Kabab, Murgh Malai Tikka, Rosemary Prawns with Murgh Gilafee and Dum Gazza. Designed with classic motifs and a colourful interior, Qureshi grants diners a taste of what old India is like. The three-course lunch menu is priced at RM 128 nett per person.
Asian-European cuisine at Skillet KL
Helmed by Executive Chef Raymond Tham, who also happens to be the founder and executive chef of Burnt & Co. and the one-Michelin-starred Beta KL, Skillet KL is a culinary powerhouse to watch out for. Offering dishes that incorporate seasonal ingredients from across the European continent, the team behind the restaurant constantly experiments with diverse ingredients, giving guests something new to discover each time.
This GastroMonth, Skillet KL presents an exclusive three-course lunch tasting menu featuring Hokkaido Scallops as a starter; two main options in Tiger Prawn Pasta or Wagyu Short-Rib; and a Strawberry Rhubarb creation for dessert. Guests can also elevate the experience with either two or three curated wine pairings to complement the flavours of each dish. It’s priced at RM128++ per person.
Malay-Indo flavours at Dancing Fish
Give Dancing Fish a go if you appreciate classic Malay-Indo flavours. As the name of the restaurant suggests, their signature dish is the fried fish in crunchy batter with toppings and sauces of your choice. Dancing Fish would recommend the best-selling sambal sauce paired with other savoury spices, to go with the three-course lunch. The restaurant also requires a booking for two people per table (RM136 nett until the end of June).
Eastern and western join forces at Soleil
Chef Evert Onderbeke is known for his trans-continental influences, serving east-meets-west dishes such as Hokkaido scallops with tagliatelle and cod roe butter. Trained in Europe and New York, Chef Evert will be serving classic European dishes with a modern Asian twist until the end of June for RM128 nett per person. Get the three-course menu and book your spot here.
Asian fusion dishes at Entier
Entier will be serving a fusion of Japanese and Korean flavours. The restaurant’s Chef Masashi Horiuchi, Chef Satoshi Uehara from USHI, and Chef Takashi Kimura from Cilantro Restaurant & Wine Bar will be joining forces to create authentic dishes with Korean Halal Hanwoo beef. This exquisite six-course dinner is set at RM754 nett per person on 29 and 30 June, from 6.30pm onwards. A wine pairing is also available for an additional RM348 nett. If you prefer an afternoon delight instead, the restaurant also has a five-course lunch tasting menu set at RM288 nett per person.
