Food is considered a national obsession in Malaysia, where outdoor dining dominates the scene, and reflecting the country’s rich ethnic mix, the menus and flavors are a world apart. With “Sudah makan?” or “Have you eaten already?” the common greeting, here are just a few of the many dynamic and delicious dining options for groups.
With shopping another national occupation, Kuala Lumpur groups can combine retail therapy with gourmet dining at the luxe Starhill Gallery mall, where the Feast Village collection of multiethnic restaurants includes the Starhill Culinary Studio, offering culinary classes and event hosting.
Up the peninsular coast in Penang, options include the cooking school at Tropical Spice Garden and Chinese-themed events and dinners at the lavish Khoo Kongsi in Georgetown, an ornate Chinese clan house from over six centuries ago.
Constructed toward the end of the 19th century, the elaborate Blue Mansion was the home of early “jet-setter” Cheong Fatt Tze. Available for buyouts and offering 16 guest rooms, this romantic heirloom, housing a restaurant from the Tamarind Group, is a dream stage for themed dinners, corporate seminars and social occasions.
There are also four Tamarind restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, including Tamarind Springs, specializing in traditional Indochinese cuisine.
On the Langkawi archipelago, Panorama Langkawi features one of the world’s steepest cable car rides up 2,322-foot Mount Machinchang, where group options include “dining in the clouds.” Private gondolas are available.
Across the South China Sea in Borneo, the Sarawak Cultural Village offers an enthralling showcase of local culture and lifestyle. Located 20 miles outside Kuching, this 17-acre living museum is home to some 150 people, and offers programs including tribal-themed dinners. Guests are often invited to attend nightly ceremonies and drink a potent rice wine, tuak.
