I walked into Tamra at Shangri-La Eros New Delhi with scepticism. Buffets and I have never truly connected. Too often, they promise abundance but deliver flavours that feel diluted, hurried, and forgettable. Marvels from Malaysia, a nine-day Malaysian food pop-up at Tamra, completely changed that expectation.
From the moment the first aromas hit—warm coconut, toasted spices, gentle heat—I knew I was in for something different. Curated by Chef Rasyafiq Bin Sabri and Chef Muhammad Akashah Bin Shafie from Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, the showcase presents Malaysia’s rich food culture to Delhi without compromising its essence. The preparations respected authentic Malaysian flavours, thanks in part to spices imported directly from Malaysia.
What To Expect At The Pop-Up?
Tamra’s buffet is generous, but its clarity stood out. Each dish had character. Malaysian staples like Nasi Lemak and Char Kuey Teow anchored the spread, while regional specialties revealed the cuisine’s nuanced, deeply spiced, and aromatic profile.
One dish, however, stopped me mid-bite: Rendang Tok. This traditional dried buffalo meat stew, slowly cooked with a medley of Malaysian spices and grated coconut, stood out for its rich, dark colour and intensely flavourful profile. Its depth, patience in preparation, and mastery of seasoning made it one of the best stews I have eaten in a long time.
Then came the Nasi Lemak, and with it, complete surrender. Perhaps it was the Kashmiri in me responding instinctively to the rice dish, its warmth and fragrance, that made me go back for seconds. Gently spiced and deeply comforting, it carried the kind of flavour that settles rather than overwhelms. It felt familiar and comforting.
The menu had its lighter, gentler moments as well. A Thai-style vegetable curry with mushrooms and coconut offered a creamy, mild contrast, while the Char Kuey Teow—Malaysia’s iconic stir-fried rice noodles, cooked over high heat with prawns, egg, and bean sprouts—featured a remarkable smokiness, silky texture, and balanced seasoning. Each noodle strand was infused with flavour without excess oil or heaviness, a feat that is difficult to achieve.
Seafood lovers will find comfort in the Ketam Masak Lemak, a crab dish cooked in coconut milk and turmeric. Creamy and soothing, it reminded me that Malaysian cuisine often relies on subtlety rather than heat to leave an impression.
The live barbecue elevated the experience. Skewered chicken kebabs and grilled fish arrived directly from the flames, smoky and succulent.
By the end, my bias against buffets had quietly faded. Tamra doesn’t view a buffet as a numbers game; it treats it as art. Every dish feels intentional, respectful of its roots, and precisely seasoned.
Marvels from Malaysia is more than a special menu or pop-up; it demonstrates that when authenticity takes the lead, even a buffet can feel intimate, memorable, and deeply satisfying.
Information:
Address: Tamra, Shangri-La Eros New Delhi
Timing: Lunch and Dinner Buffet, January 9 to January 18
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Also read: A Seafood Lover? Relish A Refined Seafood Spread At RED, Noida
