TASTE OF EDESIA | A Southeast Asian feast

Southeast Asia is a paradise for foodies. This season, Urban Kitchen at JW Marriott Hotel Macau offers enticing cuisines from Southeast Asia, cuisines from Thailand in April, Singapore and Malaysia in May, and the Philippines and Vietnam in June.
Experiencing Thai food culture is a highlight for everyone visiting Thailand. Traditional rituals, vibrant colours and fresh spices are also a part of the country’s gastronomic scene, which ranges from busy street stalls to sophisticated restaurants. This April, “Amazing Thailand” food fanfare is available at Urban Kitchen. Leng saap mountain pork is the most popular dish from the Train Night Market Ratchada. With stacks of tender pork ribs and spine, well balanced with chilli and cilantro in pork broth, it is just simply amazing to enjoy. Other signature dishes include the classic Tom Yum Goong (spicy prawn soup), Thai crab salad with creamy coconut lime dressing, pad Thai noodles, and the all-time favourite, coconut sticky rice with mango.
Sharing similar features, guests will be imaginarily transported to Singapore and Malaysia in May. Be prepared for some spicy and savoury dishes such as Sambal Lobster, of which the sambal is a spicy, chilli-based sauce that is used extensively in Malaysian and Singaporean cooking. This appetising dish is served in a sizzling claypot with garlic and aromatic condiments. A complete peppery-all-the-way culinary excursion cannot go without the hearty and succulent Bak Kut Teh (pork ribs soup) and the quintessential pepper crab, as well as the authentic Kapitan chicken curry.
For some pleasantly zesty and fragrant dishes, guests could explore a variety of choices from the Philippines and Vietnam cuisines selected for June. Food in the Philippines is well-known for its unique combination of sweet and sour flavours, while Vietnamese food is a harmonious combination of five basic sensory tastes: spicy, sour, sweet, salty, and bitter.  Embark on a fragrant journey for the palate with the signature of the month: pork belly roll (known as “Lechon de Leche” in the Philippines). Its melt-in-the-mouth texture pairs perfectly with the crispy roasted skin, with exotic flavour enhanced by aromatic spices like lemongrass, green onions, garlic and chilli. Butter and garlic shrimp is another must try signature. Seafood Kare Kare (mixed seafood in peanut butter) is a Filipino version of bouillabaisse, guaranteed to have everyone’s taste buds bouncing. Irene Sam, MDT