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Malaysia Restaurant Reviews

Labu Sayong: Affordable Malay Fine Dining in Ipoh, Perak

Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Labu Sayong: Affordable Malay Fine Dining in Ipoh, Perak
Labu Sayong: Affordable Malay Fine Dining in Ipoh, Perak


The largest ethnic group in Malaysia consists of the Malays, yet ironically, Malay fine dining is unusually hard to come by in this country. Perhaps, great importance has been given to preserving the food heritage and origin, so much so that many local chefs have shied away from the idea of contemporary and fusion cooking.

The choices may be limited when it comes to Malay fine dining in Malaysia, but here's one that is up for consideration if you'd like to venture into a new frontier of culinary innovation during your next visit to the country: Labu Sayong Signature located at Meru, Perak.

Read also: Malaysia's Most Unique Restaurants

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Labu Sayong is recognized as the Best Malay Cuisine & Heritage-Theme Restaurant by the Malaysia Tourism Council
reasonable malay fine dining restaurant in malaysia
Labu Sayong is a name given to a gourd-shaped clay carafe that was traditionally used to keep the drinking water cool


Labu Sayong: Affordable Malay Fine Dining in Ipoh, Perak

Our visit to Labu Sayong has a very specific purpose: to sample its 4-course lunch which included an appetiser, soup, main course, dessert and drink. Upon our arrival, we were warmly greeted and ushered to a Rumah Kutai - a traditional wooden house of Perak built on sturdy stilts. At the top of the stairs, we removed our shoes and entered the restaurant that was fortunately and considerately air-conditioned so we could dine in blissful comfort (it must have been about at least 35°C outside!).

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Labu Sayong welcomes diner to an exceedingly authentic and immersive cultural dining experience set in a Rumah Kutai - the traditional house of Perak.
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Expect nothing less than the warmest Perakian hospitality once you've stepped into the restaurant.


Labu Sayong Signature 4-Course Fine Dining (RM68/person)

The exciting dining experience started with a refreshing lemongrass shot to cool the body and ready the palate for what's to come. The appetiser is a dish of baked mackerel mousse served alongside crispy prawn with seafood sauce. Next comes the aromatic lamb soup infused with onion, lemongrass and tongkat ali (or more commonly known as the Malaysian ginseng). The main course is a very traditional seabass-rice combo and the meal most definitely ended on a sweet note with a beautifully put together masterpiece of sweet dumplings and banana fritters. Beverage option of sweetened tea or local black coffee to wrap things up.

authentic malay cuisine in ipoh, perak
A shot of rejuvenating lemongrass drink to start the meal off


Appetiser: Tenggiri Kepai Pandan Udang Kertas

Mackerel is one of the most important fish in Malay cooking. The oily, omega 3-rich fish can easily be found in wet markets and is a delight to consume as it is fleshy and less bony. Labu Sayong has recreated this very ordinary dish and turned it into a showpiece by grounding the flesh and molding it into a bite-sized morsel in a pandan envelope, served alongside a shelled prawn encased instead in a layer of shredded spring roll skin and fried until golden. These are to be coated in the luscious black seafood sauce laid out across the plate. Don't be fooled by what seems to be tobiko - the orange roe-like mass is really just faux couscous caviar.

The idea of using a butterpea flower to localise the dish is commendable, though I do feel that it may have stolen the limelight from the star ingredients instead of just fulfilling its role of enhancing the presentation.

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Tenggiri Kepai Pandan Udang Kertas
Traditional baked mackerel fish mousse with crispy prawn & seafood black sauce


Soup: Rusuk Kambing “Tongkat Ali” Kelapa Muda

This dish is a feast for the eyes. The lamb soup is cooked with onion, aromatic lemongrass and the highly appreciated tongkat ali (a booster of athletic performance, endurance and energy) in a hollowed out coconut and is saucily concealed under a layer of crisped spring roll. The heartily stewed ball of minced lamb has been removed from the soup and is skewered with a lemongrass stalk, placed artfully across the soup. To enjoy the dish, simply pierce through the spring roll casing with the skewer.

When the spring roll soaks in the soup, it becomes thickened and noodle-like (think pappardelle).

Best Places For Malay Food in ipoh, perak
Rusuk Kambing “Tongkat Ali” Kelapa Muda
Aromatic soup of lamb with onion, lemongrass & Tongkat Ali root in coconut


Main Course: Ikan Purba Kala Sayong & Nasi Lemuni

The name of this dish literally means "the ancient fish of Sayong". The thoughtfully deboned seabass is marinated with 27 types of local ingredients and is deep fried and served deluged in a bird eye chili and ginger sauce. Just like many other Malay dishes, it comes with one part rice and one part dish. The seabass (topped, again, with crispy shredded spring roll skin) is accompanied with an equal portion of Nasi Lemuni - a unique type of rice originating from the northern states of Malaysia. It is cooked to the perfect softness and fluff together with lemuni leaves, coconut milk, garlic, onions, ginger, fenugreek seeds, salt and fragrant pandan leaves. The brownness from the cooked rice is from the juice of the lemuni leaves, which contains various essential nutrients.

Must Try Restaurants In ipoh, perak
Ikan Purba Kala Sayong & Nasi Lemuni
Deep-fried 700gm seabass stuffed with 27 local ingredients accompanied with bird eye chili ginger sauce, vegetables & Lemuni Rice


Dessert: Putri Gunung Ledang dan Pisang Goreng Rangkai

Another incredibly beautiful dish by Labu Sayong - this surpassingly stunning dessert is almost too beautiful to be eaten. It comes in two parts: rice flour dumpling stuffed with sweet dates and sesame in coconut gravy served in the most fascinating handcrafted bowl made using ice and flowers, and deep-fried banana topped with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream and of course, more shredded spring roll skin.

What I love: The creativity, colours & amazing composition. Also, both the dumplings and fritter are very traditional Malay desserts, so the selections are on point!

What I dislike: The fact that a piece of napkin is included in the plating shows that although the idea of an ice-bowl is praiseworthy, it is however, not fully thought through. An incredible concept that requires just a dribble of fine-tuning!

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Putri Gunung Ledang dan Pisang Goreng Rangkai
Rice flour dumplings stuffed with date sesame served with coconut gravy, deep-fried crispy banana
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Beautiful creations by Labu Sayong, Ipoh


Labu Sayong Signature Review: Final Thoughts

There are many things that I love about this restaurant, but there are also a few things that I'd like to point out:
  1. Fine dining at a knockdown price: Bandar Meru Raya is a newly established township in Ipoh (the capital of Perak state) which is approximately 2 hours away from Kuala Lumpur by car. Since the cost of living is relatively cheaper outside of the city, diners can enjoy a full 4-course meal at an absolute bargain at only RM68 per person, including an appetiser, soup, main course, dessert and drink.
  2. Overused of the spring roll skin: Every dish comes with at least a version of garnish made from spring roll skin.
  3. Amazing efforts, subpar ingredients: Caviar-lookalike, below par vanilla ice-cream. I can only imagine how amazing the dishes will turn out if every component is kept to a certain standard.

All in all, the fine-dining experience at Labu Sayong Signature was an eye-opener and it's a quick and excellent way to familiarise oneself with the Malaysian Malay cuisine. From dining in a traditional Rumah Kutai to tasting highly unique dishes that are only specific to a certain region in the country, the experience is not only immersive and enveloping, but is also incredibly easy on the pocketbook.


Labu Sayong Signature

Address: 5, Jalan Meru Bestari A14, 31200 Ipoh, Perak
Contact number: +605-2375237
For reservation: signature@labusayong.com.my
For more information, visit http://www.labusayong.com.my/
Opening hours: 11.30am–10.00pm (Sunday to Thursday) & 11.30am–11.00pm (Friday, Saturday, eve of Public Holiday & Public Holiday)

For related food articles, click here.
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Malaysia Restaurant Reviews

10 Best Pork-Free Restaurants in Genting Highlands

Monday, December 16, 2019
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Head over to Resorts World Genting at Genting Highlands for a memorable food trip in the crisp, cool weather. Listed below are 10 of the best pork-free restaurants you must try while traveling to Genting Highlands!

10 Best Pork-Free Restaurants in Genting Highlands

Ming Ren

This Chinese restaurant offers a comprehensive range of traditional Chinese dishes, as well as dim sum selection during lunch hours. The must-try pork-free dishes here include steamed siew mai, egg tarts, prawn dumplings, loh mai kai and fried carrot cake.

Location: Level 2, Maxims

halal dim sum in genting highlands
Pork-free dim sum at Ming Ren, Maxims Genting

Steam Era

The latest trend in the Chinese culinary scene sees diners indulging in freshly steamed meat and vegetable dishes. Through steaming, the natural essences of the ingredients are retained and intensified for acute flavors. You should definitely try the Hong Kong style beef brisket pot, handmade seafood balls, tiger prawns, grouper fish and braised lamb trotter!

Location: T2-02 of Level 1, First World Plaza

Best Halal Restaurants in Genting Highlands
Live clams steamed right at your table at Steam Era, Genting Highlands.

FUHU Restaurant & Bar by Zouk

Zouk has opened its first-ever restaurant at Resorts World Genting! FUHU, which means “lucky tiger” in mandarin, offers revolutionary contemporary Chinese cuisine where diners are welcome to luxuriate in an eccentric vibe with live performances by a DJ on the deck as well as traditional elements splashed across its decor. Each dish is specially curated by Michelin-starred Chef Alvin Leung from Hong Kong, so definitely try his highly-popular Aromatic Crispy Duck, The Generals Fried Chicken, Boston Lobster Noodle, Drunken Tiger, Lazy Lemon Drop, Beef Taco and Granny Toufu while you get lost in the beauty of its mesmerizing chinoiserie Sakura garden.

Location: Zouk Atrium, SkyAvenue

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Each dish is specially curated by Michelin-starred Chef Alvin Leung from Hong Kong
Genting Highlands city guide for Muslim travelers
FUHU is Zouk Group's first restaurant, serving contemporary Chinese cuisine


Hanburger & Pie In The Sky

You can never go wrong with burgers and pizzas! Located within the Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park, Hanburger and Pie In The Sky make the perfect go-to fast food joints for those looking for a quick but satisfying meal. Grab your favorite items to keep yourself satisfied while on the move or between games. We highly recommend the Han's signature beef burgers, Hot Dawgs and Pepperoni Pizza!

Location: Level 1, Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park

Top 10 Restaurants To Eat In SkyAvenue
The best burgers and pizzas in Genting are at Hanburger & Pie In The Sky!

Park Avenue Lounge

Start your morning with a beautiful serving of cafe-style breakfast at Park Avenue - a classy lounge overlooking the outdoor theme park at Resorts World Genting. Its signature breakfast set consists of poached eggs, turkey ham & a freshly baked croissant with a side of salad, available from 10.00am to 11.30am daily.

Location: Level G, SkyAvenue

Restoran Makanan Halal di SkyAvenue, Genting Highland
Poached Eggs & Turkey Ham Cheese Croissant (RM25) at Park Avenue Lounge

Tampopo Delicieux

Located at the Sky Avenue, Tampopo Delicieux is a Japanese eatery that was founded in Singapore. It sources all its ingredients directly from Japan and is especially popular for its crowd-pleasers such as Chicken Katsu Curry Rice and Ramen with Ebi Tendon.

Location: T2 - 20 & 21, Level T2 Sky Avenue

Halal Restaurants at Genting Highlands
Halal & pork-free ramen and tonkatsu? Yes please!

Tokyo Secret

Tokyo Secret was previously known for its irresistibly sweet treats such as Hanjuku Cheese Tarts, cakes and Hokkaido Milk Ice-Cream, but its latest outlet in Genting Highlands has a lot more to offer. Food lovers can now indulge in savoury goodies as well with Spicy Nasi Lemak Ayam Rempah or Haiwaiian Pizza on its extensive menu!

Location: Lot T2A-39, SkyAvenue

Best Dinner Restaurants in Genting Highlands, pahang
All-day sweet treats at Tokyo Secret, Genting
Top 10 Places To Eat In SkyAvenue Genting
Genting's Tokyo Secret now offers savory selections too!

Babajia

Craving for Peranakan food? Satisfy your palate and tummy at Genting's Babajia which prepares celebrated all-star home cooked Nyonya cuisine such as belacan paku-pakis, cincalok egg, chicken pong teh, and spicy assam fish head with a bowl (or two) of hot, steamy white rice. End your meal with a sweet treat like Bubur Cha Cha!

Location: Level 1 T2-16, Sky Avenue

sky avenue halal food
Indulge in authentic Peranakan cuisine while in Genting at Babajia's

Grandmama

A home-grown restaurant established back in 2012, Grandmama cooks up authentic Malaysian cuisine that promises to evoke a sense of nostalgia with every bite. Its mission is simple - to remind diners of their beloved grandmother's cooking with its unmistakable local favorites like Char Kway Teow, Nasi Lemak, Fried Sang Har Egg Noodles and Nasi Ayam Istimewa.

Location: Level 1 T2-06, SkyAvenue

tempat berbuka puasa di genting highland
Can't get enough of local Malaysian dishes? You'll love Grandmama!

Have you tried any of these halal & pork-free restaurants in Genting Highlands? Tell us which one is your favorite! For related food stories, please click here.
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