Indulge in EQ's Citarasa Nipah and EQ Bazaar this Ramadan

Many people have a long-standing custom of celebrating Ramadan with an Iftar dinner at Nipah. Families, friends, and coworkers may get together to celebrate the breaking of the fast and indulge in the traditional Malay treats that Nipah is known for. This year, EQ will be setting the standard for the break-of-fast experience by offering two unique and fun ways to partake in the delicious cuisine and merrimentous socialising that are hallmarks of Ramadan.

Not too long ago, I was at the Ramadan buffet media preview for their Citarasa Nipah and EQ Bazaar.

Citarasa Nipah

Citarasa Nipah will offer the classic Iftar experience, with a superlative buffet spread encompassing the best of Malay flavours. Held daily at Nipah on the ground floor of the award-winning hotel, Citarasa Nipah will present a sumptuous spread of food which draws upon the rich tradition of Malay cuisine. This year, the Iftar experience will be curated by Chef Zaini who drew on his decades long experience in Malay cuisine to design the daily offerings. “A good Malay meal is like a good story. There needs to be a variety of elements to make everything work. The sour components need a sweet opposite, rich tastes will need some sharp flavours to offset it. My goal this year is to present a complete experience of Malay food for all to enjoy,” says Chef Zaini.

To this end the buffet will include a daily rotation of a variety of traditional salads ranging from fiddlehead fern (pucuk paku), to fresh raw crudites (ulam-ulaman) like pennywort (pegaga), winged beans, and their accompanying dips such as sambal belacan, tamarind water (air asam) and fermented fish sauce (budu).

The highlight of every Iftar buffet, the whole roast lamb, will be the biggest draw at Nipah. Grilled to perfection, the kambing golek is best savoured with fluffy beriani rice. Other classic dishes on the buffet include seabass (siakap tiga rasa), thinly sliced beef with chilli paste in a Malay-style jerky (daging dendeng berlada), and the Ramadan staple, bubur lambuk or savoury porridge.

For an extra-special experience, the break-of-fast meal will also feature the Nipah Shell Out (hamparan makanan laut) as a highlight. This will be the first time in Nipah’s history that this popular communal seafood experience is served during Ramadan. The Shell Out will feature a delectable assortment of fresh seafood, perfectly marinated and lightly cooked to ensure the retention of flavours. Featured in the mix will be prawns, lala, mussels, bamboo clams and crabs in three signature flavours: kam heong (spicy dried shrimp paste), sweet and sour, and salted egg.

Citarasa Nipah will run from 12 March to 9 April 2024 from 6.30PM to 10.30PM daily, priced at RM238+ per adult and RM114+ per child from the age of six to 12. An Early Bird promotion will run from 12 to 17 March 2024, and 7 to 9 April 2024 priced at RM198+ per adult.

EQ Bazaar

A brand new experience premiering this Ramadan is the EQ Bazaar. This festive event seeks to recreate the thrill of the Ramadan bazaars which are a yearly fixture in neighbourhoods and communities. The EQ culinary team will be presenting Malay street food of the sort usually offered at these food markets, including rotisserie chicken (ayam golek), stuffed, grilled sandwiches (roti John), and an exciting variety of sweet treats, finger food and small bites.

EQ Bazaar will be held at Level 1, allowing guests to browse between different food stations, and enjoy food in air-conditioned comfort. This novel Ramadan happening will take place from 12 March to 9 April 2024 from 6.30PM to 10.30PM daily. 

As an incentive to experience EQ Bazaar early, the meal will be priced at RM148+ per adult and RM74+ per child from the age of six to 12 from 12 to 17 March 2024. From 18 March to 9 April 2024 the charge will be RM168+ per adult, and RM84+ per child from the age of six to 12. Group dining is priced at RM148+ for adults, with a minimum of 10 diners per reservation.

General Manager, Gerard Walker, who has lived in Malaysia for over a decade, takes great pleasure in the property’s Ramadan offerings. “Ramadan is a beautiful time of the year characterised by an emphasis on community and relationship-building. EQ is honoured to host many gatherings of fraternity and good-will, and will always ensure our guests enjoy food that transports them back to the old days, even as they work on building future relations.”

Both Citarasa Nipah and EQ Bazaar are open for reservations. You can email to

dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com, or WhatsApp +60122789239 or book through TableApp at https://www.tableapp.com/partner/nipah-eq-kuala-lumpur.

.: Peace Out :.