INDONESIAN street food ayam geprek has gained such popularity that the dish of fried chicken topped with sambal is commonly found in eateries here.

Capitalising on its popularity, Pasar Baru Le Meridien Petaling Jaya in Selangor has included the dish in its “Jamuan Bazaar” buka puasa buffet selection.

Executive chef Aris Fadilah said ayam geprek was made according to the traditional method.

“The bird’s eye chilli is ground and mixed. We fry the chilli, let it cool, then pound it with onion and garlic.

“At other outlets, the sauce is blended with onion without cooking.

Among the dishes is Kari Kerala Kepala Ikan — Photos: MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star

“When raw, the spice is sharper. When eating it with chicken, you’ll need rice to tone down the intensity because it is too sharp.

“Our version is the perfect representation of ayam geprek – you can eat it on its own because the spiciness is mild, not overwhelming,” the chef said.

The Seven-Continent Kawah is also a highlight in this buffet, with each kawah (giant wok) offering a different protein, such as crab, beef and chicken.

Gulai Kawah Daging Tetel features tender beef with flavourful gravy and is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.

Aris said the meat was boiled with spices and seasoning for two to three hours to achieve that perfect texture.

Kambing Bakar 13 Rempah

The buffet also serves dishes such as Kambing Bakar 13 Rempah, Sup Gearbox, Mee Ketam and Nasi Biryani Dum.

For dessert, there is Sago Durian with Gula Melaka, a creamy concoction similar to ice-cream with the addition of durian paste.

According to Le Meridien Petaling Jaya executive sous chef Mohd Ramdhan Mohd Soffian, the dessert is inspired by three-­layered tea.

The layers of the Sago Durian with Gula Melaka are arranged according to each element’s level of sweetness.

Meanwhile, durian lovers can also enjoy the fresh fruit at the buffet.

Ayam Geprek

There are two venues for Le Meridien Petaling Jaya’s “Jamuan Bazaar” from March 11 to April 8, and early bird vouchers are on sale until March 10.

The dinner buffet at its Pasar Baru restaurant has a lively setting replicating the atmosphere of a traditional bazaar.

It’s priced at RM198nett per person, or RM148nett each with early bird vouchers.

The “Jamuan Bazaar” at the hotel’s Grand Ballroom will feature live ghazal performances.

Here, the dinner buffet is RM128nett per person, or RM98nett with the early bird vouchers.

PASAR BARU, Le Meridien Petaling Jaya,

Jalan SS 7/26a, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (Tel: 012-390 9949) Business hours: 6.30am to 10.30pm daily.

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.