Malaysia has a huge Cantonese population, so it’s only normal that some Canto culture has trickled into our daily lives. One is ‘yumcha’, which literally translates to ‘drink tea’, referring to the act of going out with friends/family to enjoy dimsum and, well, drink tea. Usually this is done in the early morning, but with people being late risers these days, Tai Zi Heen@ Pullman KLCC is offering a very value for money brunch buffet with all-you-can-eat dimsum.

Recently I got to sample some of the 45 steamed, deep fried and pan-fried goodies available on their menu, and even had a fun little session preparing our own deep fried, cheese-stuffed beancurd rolls while guided by the chef. Usually if you’re having dimsum at a typical street-resto, they will have elderly aunties/workers pushing carts filled with dimsum, so you can simply pick and choose which ones you want. Here, though, you write the items on a chit and the team will prepare it fresh to order. 🙂

Didn’t manage to get individual shots; but some of my favourites were:

  • Beef Tripe – super tender, steamed in a spicy sauce that gave my tongue that much needed spice kick.
  • Beancurd rolls – anything that is stuffed with cheese is awesome. Crunchy and crispy on the outside, with gooey melted cheese and minced chicken/shrimp on the inside. Comfort food at its best.
  • HK-style chee cheong fun – thin, slightly transclucent steamed rice rolls wrapped around juicy shrimp, swimming in a delicate soy sauce.

Fried noodles. These were nicely flavoured, with enough ‘wok hei’, so you can tell they were cooked over a strong fire.

More noodles. Those opting for something more ‘filling’ can also go for their buns (try the salted egg bun, which is fluffy with a deliciously oozy salted egg custard center), glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf for that extra fragrance, spicy radish cake or even stir-fried vegetables. There are also cold appetisers like marinated jellyfish. Of course, there’s always the classic dimsum must-haves like the hargau (shrimp dumpling with crystal skin) and siewmai (the version here uses mushroom/chicken/shrimp).

Wash everything down with a nice hot cup of Chinese tea – it is ‘yumcha’, after all – from specialty tea company Harney & Son’s. They offer a variety of different blends, from the traditional Pu-Erh to Tie Guan Yin.

The Yumcha @ Dimsum Buffet Brunch @ Pullman KLCC is available on weekends and public holidays from 11.30am – 3pm until September 30 2017 for RM75 per pax. Kids under 5 eat for free, while those aged between 6 – 12 years old enjoy 50% off. Considering the high-end dining environment + service, I’d say it is very value for money.

For reservations, call +603-21708888 (extension 8200)

pullman-kualalumpur-citycentre.com/offers/yum-cha/