Spice Market

Special thanks to Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa for extending this food review invitation.

Spice Market Café serves as the flagship restaurant of Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa. As the name implies, the restaurant uses spices liberally in preparing most of the dishes. Meanwhile, the theatre kitchen concept allows diners to watch chefs bringing culinary theatrics that often defines Asian cooking.

Spice Market Café serves International Buffet Dinner daily except on Fridays and Saturdays. The buffet spread is divided into several sections, each of which focuses on a regional cuisine. Cuisines that are typically covered are Malay, Chinese, Indian, Western and Japanese.

Steam-Baked Chicken With Soy Sauce is one of the prominent dishes this evening. The chicken's crispy skin is what makes this poultry dish so appealing. Sweet bean sauce serves as a condiment.

The Mongolian Stir-Fried counter is quite popular too. Here, marinated meat (chicken or beef) is cooked with onions, capsicum, scallions and bean sprouts over high heat. Contrary to the name, this cooking method has nothing to do with Mongolia, but most likely originated in Taiwan.

Diners may indulge in marine delicacies like flower crabs, prawns and mussels. Dipping sauces that go well with chilled seafood are orange jalapeño sauce, spiced chili aioli, wasabi mayo and Thousand Island dressing.

If you enjoy the fiery taste of jalapeño peppers, the Western section has the right dish for you: Calamari With Tomato & Jalapeño. I am also delighted to savor Pan-Seared Duck Breast With Orange Sauce.

Another notable highlight this evening is Baked Polenta With Spinach, which is flavored with tangy marinara sauce. Meanwhile, Grilled Fish With Dill Cream Sauce has a lovely aroma that induces appetite.

If you have an affinity for spicy flavors, go for Wok-Fried Chicken With Kong Po Sauce. You can also get a taste on tantalizing Thai flavors through Wok-Fried Fish With Tom Yam Sauce.

Moving to the Indian section, savory stews like Lamb Rogan Josh and Seafood Curry are served today. Meanwhile, chicken tikka and lamb tikka are roasted in a built-in tandoor oven. Chicken satay is also added as Malaysians are quite fond of this snack.

Next, the Japanese section has exquisite delicacies such as chuka hotate (seasoned scallop), chuka idako (seasoned baby octopus) and chuka wakame (seasoned seaweed). Sushi and sashimi are available too.

The cold cuts counter has sliced beef, sliced chicken and smoked fish. Meanwhile, salad choices include tuna salad, apple salad and beetroot salad. Diners can also make their own salads using fresh produce and various dressings.

The desserts section has a variety of mouthwatering pastries such as cakes, tarts and sweet mousses. While you are here, do not overlook the assortment of French pastries in the chiller.

Last but not least, cleanse your palate with fresh cut fruits like star fruit, apple, watermelon, papaya and pineapple. Freshly squeezed fruit juices are provided too.

The International Buffet Dinner is priced at RM168.00 net for adults and RM84.00 net for children. Adults get 40% discount every Monday and Tuesday, while Golden Circle members enjoy 40% discount on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday evening, Spice Market Café serves See Food Seafood Buffet Dinner instead.

Name: Spice Market Café
Address: Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-888-8888
Business hours: 6:30am-10:30pm
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayangresort/dining/restaurants/spice-market-cafe
Coordinates: 5.47972 N, 100.25466 E
Directions: From Tanjung Bungah, travel west towards Batu Ferringhi. Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa is approximately 4.2 kilometers from Tanjung Bungah's floating mosque, located on the right. Spice Market Café is at Lobby level of the Garden wing.