Rice Dumplings Festival & DESSERTS @ West Lake Garden, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa

The elegant & stately decor of West Lake Garden, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa greeted me as I entered the restaurant from the lobby.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-01

Relaxing immediately from the after- work rush hour, I soothed my eyes on the pretty eye piece & breathed in the sweet-smelling scent in the air that is distinctive to this hotel.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-05

West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant exudes modern oriental opulence. I was captivated with the traditional furnishings; the chests, the panels & the paintings on the walls.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-0

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-06

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-03

But nothing prepared me for the sight of this.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-08

A whopping 3kg dumpling!

Packed to its’ very leaves with dried scallops, dried oysters, barbecued chicken, lotus seed, chestnut, 20 salted egg yolks, mushroom, dried shrimps and yellow peas, this baby took 6 hours to cook!

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-11

Each of this goes for RM188++ each, a steal if you ask me, considering the amount of gourmet ingredients that goes into this Yuletide Log – like creation. And you know what? This is actually HALF (HALF!!!!!) of the actual size.

My recommendation? Buy one to feed the whole clan in the house since this easily feeds 10 – 12 pax.
(RM188++ = RM218.08, divided by 12 pax = RM18.00/pax)

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-19

No no no, don’t go shaking your head & cross this off your rice dumplings shopping list just yet. West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant actually sells this by slices, & by weight (price: RM28++ (appx. 400 gm) per slice). Here’s the less scarier version of it.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-10

By reasonable estimates, a slice of this is equivalent to a medium sized dumpling. Which is totally manageable to digest. :)

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-15

I love how all the dumplings here are non-overly oily & very well prepared. By well-prepared I meant perfectly steamed with every grain of rice soft yet firm, and all the stuffing that goes into their dumplings are not over or undercook. Thumbs-up to the chef!

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa.

While the massive dumpling is alike one big delicous loh-mai-kai, I’m more inclined with the Hong Kong Style Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumplings.
Priced at RM28++, this is an authentic & more traditional form of the rice dumpling with the usual “prosperity” fillings of dried scallops, salted egg yolk, black mushrooms, chestnut, dried shrimp, barbeque chicken & yellow peas.

I guess it’s due to the amount of the yellow peas in it. I just love the mushy taste & texture of the peas & also the “mellow” taste of this dumpling; which makes it lighter on the palate as well.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-16

We sampled a total of 5 different varieties of rice dumplings that night. Another intriguing one is the new Steamed Glutinous Rice Dumpling with Yam & Lamb (RM23++ ), an addition that showcased the Chef’s inventiveness. He told us that he had wanted to create a new “flavour” that is uncommon and we concurred that lamb in a rice dumpling is certainly something new.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-09

Taste-wise the lamb dumpling didn’t disappoint, with the flavour of the lamb permeated into the dumpling, lending a nice aroma to the overall package.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-12

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-18

But if I have to choose my favourite of the night, the winner is surprisingly the humble Vegetarian Rice Dumpling (RM18++). Maybe I’m plebeian (LOL!) but the simple dumpling was a winner in my books with it’s chewy texture &  nutty aroma from the wild rice.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-13

Combining 3 varieties of mushrooms; enoki, abalone & black mushroom, the meat element here is the mock meat/chinese ham & there’s a nice fat chestnut thrown in for good measure.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-27

Last but not least, the “dessert” or sweet dumpling, made with alkaline – based rice dumpling (kee -chang as we call it in Hokkien) and filled with creamy red beans, RM12++.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-14

The filling is perfect; none of that powdery-processed taste commonly detected in mass produced bakery shops packed ones. A little saucer of honey accompanied this, which surprisingly paired really well with the red bean dumpling.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-17

We accompanied our rice dumpling feasting journey with some delightful desserts from the kitchen. I ordered my favourite; the almond soup with glutinous rice balls (RM12++). I didn’t care that much for the balls, but was pleased as a lark that the almond soup was freshly made in-house. Chinese almond soup is an acquired taste; and I absolutely adore it.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-20

The word “durian” caught my eye immediately & this platter has the clever combination of chilled mango puree with vanilla ice cream, fresh fruits & a durian “puff” – (of which I would classify to be more of durian pulp encased in fine filigree casing than an actual puff).

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-21

No complains here at all, for the durian filling was of a reasonably good quality & the mango puree was obviously made fresh in-house too.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-22

The aftermath.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-23

More desserts: The Double Boiled Dried Longan with Almond & Apple (RM12++).

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-24

Double Boiled Fresh Ginseng with Sea Coconut. RM12++.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-25

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-26

Homemade Cincao Homemade Jelly. RM12++.

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-28

:) :) :) I’m happy to report that all the desserts were good and so were the dumplings! These rice dumplings will be available for dine -in & take – away from 25th May – 6th June 2011. All dumplings are pork-free !
For further enquiries, call (6-03) 7495 1888.

About West Lake Garden Chinese Restaurant:
Located on the Lobby Level of Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa with a stunning view of the lagoon….

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-07

……….has 8 private dining rooms that can accommodate between 10 – 20 guests respectively. (pic below: the private rooms are at the far end)

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-04

..boasts of an open & spacious dining area & my personal favourite – high ceilings!! I don’t think I’m claustrophobic but I love the feeling of space..

West Lake Garden - Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa-02

Lunch: Open daily 12.00pm – 2.30pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
10.00am – 2.30pm (Sundays & Public Holidays)
Dinner: 6.30pm to 10.30pm (Mondays to Sundays).
Pork-free.
For reservations, call (6-03) 7495 1888.

All pictures are:
rebeccasaw-samsungnx100

This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. Isaac Tan

    Another good writeup! The dumplings were really one of a kind, in a delicious way, especially the lamb and yam dumpling!

    Thanks for the invite, and did i say i lurveee the tempura durian dessert? Omg, heavenly!

    1. rebeccasaw

      Haha I’m glad u and wifey enjoyed yourself!

    1. rebeccasaw

      YUP, that’s the aim actually. one dumpling one family! ;p

  2. Sean

    gosh, i think that even two seans wouldn’t be able to finish that dumpling! but it really does look delicious, even without pork! the mushrooms inside kinda look like black truffles in some of the pics, heheh 😀

    1. rebeccasaw

      Ohh.. foie gras & truffle dumpling! I wonder where got??? ;p

  3. mimid3vils

    This is really HUGE!!! I love dumpling with lots of “liu” 😉

    1. rebeccasaw

      Same here! I dont eat the rice itself that much either!

  4. J2Kfm

    Indeed a whole lot of dumplings! I don’t mind sampling some of these, really.

    1. rebeccasaw

      Yeah, it’s dumpling feasting fr the next 2 weeks!

  5. Caroline

    wow!! thats huge! n i can see varieties rice dumpling there! yummy! :good:

Leave a Reply to rebeccasaw Cancel reply

Related Posts

hotels near klcc

Top 13 Hotels Near KLCC

The sights and sounds of Kuala Lumpur is an experience you would never forget. There are certain cities you should definitely visit and Kuala Lumpur

Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2018

To commemorate 90 years of gastronomy excellence–the World Association of Chefs Societies is returning this July, stronger than ever! If you’re looking for a place to