“Breaking fast? In Wan Li?”
That was my reaction when Hezrin, Renaissance Johor Bahru Hotel’s Head of Marketing &Communications, invited The Iskandarian to review yet another buka puasa dining experience at the hotel. However, it was at Wan Li Chinese Restaurant.
I was excited what this famed Chinese restaurant had to offer for the fasting month.
Held in a private dining room, the round table seats eight of us, and Hezrin welcomed our little group and told us upfront that the private room is subject to availability. To book around table, a minimum of six diners is required, and the maximum would be ten for one table. There are two sets available–The Blessed Set Menu and the Prosperity Set Menu.
With a bit of seasonal dates to break our fast, it’s soothing to have the warm Wan Li’s boiled Fish Maw, Dried Scallop, and Seafood Soup after a whole day of fasting.
While everyone is quick to be lured by the novelty of fragrant Seafood Pineapple Fried Rice with a generous garnish of Chicken floss, I first set my eyes on the Gado-Gado. Fresh ingredients from tempe down to the greens, dipped in the savoury and sweet peanut sauce, it was enough to whet my appetite. I’ve added the crunchy and fun Chili Pepper Fish Skin into the mix, and it instantly became my new favourite at Wan Li.
My companion enjoyed the Chilled Japanese Baby Squid with Plum with the fish crackers,while another scooped the hot and spicy Mala de Shelled Prawn with their pineapple rice.
I went straight for the Steamed Sea Grouper in Portuguese Style and it quickly transported me to Melaka’s Portuguese village. The rich flavour of the dish was close to the authentic homemade ones I’ve tasted there, and I’m so glad it is now made available in Wan Li.
Next, the tender yet crispy Signature Roasted Free-range Chicken, paired so well with the delicious, Braised Broccoli with US Scallop and XO Sauce–it is a must have if you are dining in a Chinese restaurant.
Selections of desserts from Malay Kuihs to Seasonal Fruit platters complete the set; it even had my new favourite kuih from Renaissance Johor Bahru’s buffet, the Red Velvet and CornKuih Talam. Yet, nothing beats the hot and sensationally creamy Durian Tempura–everyone’s ultimate favourite.
If you are looking to host an intimate buka puasa party of six to ten people, have a go with either Wan Li Chinese Restaurant’s Blessed Set Menu priced at RM1188 for six persons and RM1888 for ten persons, or the Prosperity Set Menu priced at RM1388 for six persons and RM2188 for ten persons. For bookings and inquiries, send a text to https://wa.me/60127719056 or check out .
