Serena Brasserie’s A Feast for All Ages Buffet

It's that time of year again! The holidays are here, and if you're looking to indulge in festive cheer with a side of mouthwatering food, look no further than the  InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. This year, they've kicked things up a notch with their "Season of Golden Tidings" celebration, a whole month of festive fun, luxury and of course so much good food. As if the holidays weren't already magical enough, this round of Christmas Buffet promises to take your celebrations to a whole new level.

Get ready to stretch those stomachs because Serena Brasserie is pulling out all the stops with their Sparkling Season Dinner Buffet. From December 1st - 23rd and again from December 26th - 30th, you'll be treated to an epic spread of seasonal dishes that’ll have you coming back for more (and probably more, again… and again). For just RM278 nett per adult and RM139 nett per child, you can enjoy everything from juicy meats to fresh seafood, all set in the gorgeous festive decor that only InterContinental could pull off.

Let’s talk about the stars of the show at Serena Brasserie’s festive buffet. First up, the Slow Roasted Prime Rib… this melt-in-your-mouth beauty is a must-try, perfectly seasoned and cooked to juicy perfection (jawnji). Then there’s the Salmon en Croute, where flaky pastry meets rich, tender salmon, a combo that feels both indulgent and comforting. For seafood lovers, the Fresh Seafood on Ice is a dream, offering everything from succulent prawns to plump oysters, all chilled and ready for you to devour (this is my favourite, every time!). If you're craving a touch of British tradition, the Yorkshire Pudding will hit the spot - warm, golden, and perfectly pillowy, it’s the ideal sidekick to any main.

Chup, there’s more! If you're into the whole festive vibe (and let's face it, who isn't kan), you have to try their selection of seasonal desserts. I’m talking about rich, indulgent cakes, cookies and a lot of sugar in every bite. It’s Christmas in dessert form, and it’s everything you’ve been waiting for. Drum rolllll…… the grand finale: the Exquisite Festive Desserts. A selection that’s as decadent as it is festive, featuring everything from rich yule logs to cute gingerbread cookies, guaranteed to satisfy every sweet tooth in the room.

For those who want to kick it up a notch for the big days (December 24th - 25th), don’t miss out on the Golden Feast Dinner Buffet. This one’s priced at RM318 nett per adult and RM159 nett per child, and it’s worth every single cent.

Now, if you’ve ever wanted a full-on luxurious experience (who hasn’t, right?), InterContinental Kuala Lumpur has partnered with Helena Rubinstein, the queen of skincare. Helena Rubinstein is all about high-performance beauty, and this festive season, they’ve designed an elevated ritual to leave you feeling pampered and glowing.

If you book a Suite or Premium Lounge Access Room, you’ll get to experience the Replasty Age Recovery Welcome Ritual. Basically think rejuvenation with a Replasty Age Recovery Day and Night Cream duo - a little luxury to help you recover from that long-haul flight or simply the stress of holiday shopping. You’ll also receive a Replasty Age Recovery Eye Cream turndown amenity, a perfect little gift to enhance your nighttime skincare routine and get you ready for a cozy night of beauty sleep.

InterContinental Kuala Lumpur’s Season of Golden Tidings is more than just a feast for the belly it’s a feast for the soul. Whether you’re sharing a moment with loved ones, making new memories with friends or simply indulging in the magic of the season, this holiday celebration has something for everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Make sure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience. The holidays are meant to be filled with joy, indulgence, and a whole lot of good food. Treat yourself (and maybe even your family and friends too) to a Christmas Buffet at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday —may it be filled with love, laughter and… plenty of food!

Turkey, Lamb and Yummy Desserts: Christmas Food Heaven at M Resort Hotel PJ

If you’ve been around my blog long enough, you’ll know I’m a sucker for anything merry let it be lights, sparkles, food, food and… more food (you know where this is going, right). So when Miera invited me as her plus one to check out M Resort Hotel Petaling Jaya Christmas buffet spread at their Fairway Coffee House, I didn’t even pretend to think twice. Santa hasn’t even warmed up the sleigh yet, but my makan mood? Fully activated (me when it comes to food ‘wink’).

Walking into Fairway Coffee House honestly felt like stepping into a Christmas postcard, minus the snow of course (eyes rolling) because, hello, we are in Malaysia (eyes just did a back flip). But the ambience? On point. Warm lights, happy people, and that faint whiff of roasted something-something that gets your stomach waking up. Whether you’re coming with your makan gang, colleagues who pretend they don’t eat much (absolute lies!), or family members who skip lunch “to make space”, the whole vibe just screams, “Okay guys, Christmas mode ONZZZ.”

Let’s get real, us Malaysians love Christmas but we love-love Christmas FOOD even MORE. And Fairway Coffee House clearly understood the assignment because their Christmas Eve spread is basically a culinary parade. I walked in thinking I’d just “take a look” first. Spoiler: I lied. Titik.

The superstar: Roasted Turkey complete with all the trimmings. I’m talking stuffing, gravy, sauce ie. the whole works. Now, I know turkey can sometimes taste like cardboard if done wrongly, but this one? Moist, flavourful and I may just eaten more than one plate. Don’t judge please.

Next to it, the Red Ribbon Bone-In Ribeye was calling out to me like, “Lily… come laaaa...”. And then, as if that wasn’t enough, there’s the Roasted Whole Lamb Leg with Roasted Root Vegetables. If you’re a lamb lover, this will make you tear up a little. I’m not saying I got emotional, but I’m also not denying it.

 
Oh yah…. My baby carrot get a special mention. IYKYK – hint to Miera.
 
Sambung – there’s also Lamb Navarin, Classic Beef Stroganoff, Creamed Spinach Salmon and the Traditional Shepherd’s Pie. I don’t know who curated this list but they clearly believe in feeding people (us) properly.
 
No Christmas Eve dinner is complete without desserts, and this buffet’s dessert counter… whew. Let’s just say if Santa went missing, you could probably find him here sneaking bites.

Chocolate Logs, gorgeous Entremets, cute little Petit Gateaux, Tarts, basically every fancy sweet treat you’ve seen on gram but can actually touch and eat. And then you have the nostalgic Christmassy stuff: Marzipan Stollen, Panettone, Cookies, Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise. Warm, sweet, comforting.

 
At this point, I told myself I’d “just taste a bit”. Again… lies.
 
One thing I love about Malaysian buffets? Even when celebrating snow, reindeer and Santa, we MUST have our Asian staples. And M Resort delivered.
 
There’s Malay, Indian, and Chinese selections — everything from curries to biryanis to noodles to stir-fry. Then there’s the Japanese section where the sushi and sashimi look way too tempting to ignore. And yes, there’s grilled seafood too, just in case you needed an excuse to get another plate.

Basically, if your family is like mine where everyone wants something different, this buffet covers all arguments. No one leaves unhappy.

 
There’s also a spread of local dishes, just because.... And of course - more desserts. At this point, I accepted that on Christmas weekend it’ll be 90% eating, 10% pretending I would go to the gym after.
 
M Resort Hotel really nailed the festive vibes this year. The Christmas Eve buffet feels indulgent, warm and wonderfully Christmassy.

If you’re planning a festive gathering — family, friends, office or even a self-love solo makan date (no judgment!) — Fairway Coffee House is definitely worth checking out. Come hungry, wear comfy pants, and remember: calories consumed during Christmas don’t count. 

Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner
24 December 2025 : 6.30pm – 10.30pm
RM238nett per adult & 119nett per child aged 5 - 11 years
RM167nett per senior citizen aged 60 years and above

Christmas Day Buffet Hi Tea
25 December 2025 : 12.00pm – 4.00pm
RM185nett per adult & 93nett per child aged 5 - 11 years
RM130nett per senior citizen aged 60 years and above

Halal Restaurant in Hanoi: Batavia Restaurant

If you are a traveller like me then you know the struggle of finding proper halal makan in non-Muslim-majority cities. So guess what? While strolling through the charming chaos of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, I stumbled upon a gem that had me grinning from ear to– Batavia Restaurant!

A Little Piece of Indonesia in Hanoi
Tucked away in the heart of Hanoi, Batavia is not just any Indonesian restaurant – it's a cozy, homey spot bursting with authentic flavors, warm service, and loads of soul. Think Balinese wood décor meets Vietnamese charm. Love at first sight lah!

The heart and soul behind Batavia? Meet Mr. Iwan, an Indonesian expat with a big smile and even bigger dreams. He moved to Vietnam years ago and, like many of us, missed the comfort of his home food. That craving turned into a mission… and boom! Batavia was born.

100% Halal, No Compromise
Now here’s the best part, Batavia is 100% halal! Mr. Iwan takes this very seriously, kid you not. All their meats are sourced from certified halal suppliers (in fact some were imported!), and the kitchen is managed with strict halal practices so when you makan here, no worries, no doubts, tanpa was-was.

I even peeked into their kitchen (curious traveller kindathing) - clean, organised, and the smells... MasyaAllah laparrudin terus.

Inspired by Home & Heart (Masak dengan kasih saying)

The menu? A true love letter to Indonesia. Mr. Iwan shared that the dishes are inspired by his late mum’s cooking, his travels across Indonesia, and the street food stalls he grew up with, a typical Indonesia kampung upbringing. It’s not fusion or modern, nor was it this-and-that fancy shmancy food, it’s the real deal, straight-up kampung-style goodness with Hanoi flair.

A True Crowd Favourites
Okay, let’s talk food! These three dishes? Must. Try.

1. Rendang Sapi – Slow-cooked, tender beef in rich coconut gravy. Smoky, spicy, heavenly.
2. Nasi Goreng Batavia – Their signature fried rice with just the right kick.
3. Sate Ayam with Peanut Sauce – Juicy, smoky skewers with that creamy, dreamy sauce.

But we from IslamiCruise did not have the normal-typical-crowd favourite, we have a fusion of Indonesia-Vietnamese food. The mix vege versus the Vietnamese fried fucuk, the all-time-famous Pho, cakoi (my favourite, and we only got a plate [mana cukup!]) and keropok. And beladoooo (the Minang in me leap with joy) and few other dishes that was to die for.

IslamiCruise Approved!

And guess what? Our friends from IslamiCruise have been loyal patrons of Batavia for over 3 years now! It is their go-to spot whenever they're in Hanoi and you know IslamiCruise only partners with trusted halal eats and great taste place! And I approves it too.

Why Hanoi Loves Batavia
Besides the yummy food and halal seal of approval, Batavia has won the hearts of both locals and travellers because of its authenticity, affordable prices, and homely vibe. Plus, it’s perfect for Muslim tourists who wanna eat with peace of mind without compromising on taste.

Save it. Share it. Tag your makan kaki.

IslamiCruise Halong Bay 2025 Media Fam Trip is organized by IslamiCruise Internation Sd Bhd.