Tao Chinese Cuisine Introduces New Menu & Executive Chinese Chef

Text by INTERCONTINENTAL KUALA LUMPUR

Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

Tao Chinese Cuisine at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur is thrilled to announce the arrival of its new Executive Chinese Chef, Tommy Choong, who has created an exquisite new menu for the restaurant.

Tucked away at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, Tao Chinese Cuisine provides a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. As you walk up the sweeping marble staircase, you’ll be greeted by warm lighting and tasteful decor, making you feel as if you’re entering a spring garden. True to its name, Tao, which means peach in Mandarin, the restaurant features panels of peach blossoms that adorn the entrance corridor and interior, adding a lively touch to the ambiance.

Debuted as the Best Muslim-Friendly Chinese Restaurant 2022 by Malaysia Tourism Industry Award, the restaurant’s beauty extends beyond the floral accents, with a stunning LED light feature on the ceiling resembling Chinese ink brush painting’s wispy clouds. The interior design also showcases an exquisite collection of Chinese teapots, artfully displayed on custom-built shelves throughout the restaurant.

For those seeking privacy, Tao offers six luxurious private dining rooms named after Chinese dynasties, providing an intimate and comfortable dining experience. As patrons settle into their seats, they are served with Chinese black tea, a welcoming treat, which is said to be good for the skin.

“We are excited to introduce Chef Tommy Choong and his exquisite new menu to our guests at Tao Chinese Cuisine,” said the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur General Manager, Meera Raj. “We believe that his innovative approach to Cantonese cuisine and the beautiful ambience of our restaurant will elevate the dining experience and create a lasting impression for our guests,” she added.

Chef Tommy Choong brings with him a wealth of culinary experience and expertise, having worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in Malaysia and beyond. He is known for his innovative and creative approach to Cantonese cuisine, which he infuses with a modern twist.

The new menu at Tao Chinese Cuisine reflects Chef Tommy’s passion for Cantonese cuisine, featuring a range of dishes that showcase the bold and complex flavours of the region. From the rich and savory Abalone & Treasure of The Sea, and Poultry & Meat offerings to the delicate and flavourful rice, noodles and desserts, each dish is carefully crafted to delight the senses.

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Tao Chinese Cuisine and to have the opportunity to share my love of Cantonese cuisine with diners in Kuala Lumpur,” said Chef Tommy Choong. “My goal with this new menu is to create a culinary journey that takes diners on a delicious and unforgettable adventure through the flavours of Cantonese cuisine,” he added.

The following are Chef Tommy’s recommended dishes from Tao’s new menu:

Wok-fried prawns with sesame, pickled nutmeg coated with mayonnaise & black caviar

• This dish is a true masterpiece, combining the succulent flavours of prawns with the sweet and nutty taste of sesame. The pickled nutmeg adds a tangy and slightly sour taste, and the black caviar adds a touch of luxury to this already exquisite dish.

Double-boiled fish bone with abalone, bamboo pith & baby cabbage

• This dish is a true celebration of Cantonese cuisine, with a rich and hearty broth that is infused with the delicate flavours of abalone, bamboo pith, and baby cabbage. The doubleboiled fish bone adds depth and complexity to the broth, making it a true standout dish.

Braised scallops stuffed with shrimp paste & black truffle paste

• This dish is a true delicacy, combining the succulent and delicate flavours of scallops with the rich and earthy taste of black truffle paste. The shrimp paste adds a savoury and umami flavour that perfectly complements the other ingredients.

Steamed grouper fillet with egg white & red tobiko

• This dish is a true feast for the senses, with the delicate and flaky grouper fillet paired with the rich and flavourful egg white and red tobiko. The dish is a true celebration of Cantonese cuisine, with a perfect balance of tastes and textures.

Braised homemade bean curd, asparagus stuffed bamboo pith with egg white crabmeat sauce

• This dish is a true masterpiece, with the silky and delicate homemade bean curd paired with the tender and flavourful asparagus stuffed bamboo pith. The egg white crabmeat sauce adds a rich and savoury taste that perfectly complements the other ingredients.

Stir-fried Taiwanese rice vermicelli with assorted seafood & ‘Lei Cha’ sauce

• This dish is a true celebration of Cantonese cuisine, with a perfect blend of flavours and textures. The tender and flavourful seafood is paired with the rich and savory ‘Lei Cha’ sauce, which adds a touch of depth and complexity to the dish.

The new menu at Tao Chinese Cuisine is available now. IHG One Rewards and selected bank card holders can enjoy exclusive savings of 20%. For reservations, please call +6 016 202 4623 or send email to foodbeverage.admin@ ickualalumpur.com.my.

Healing in Pontian a day trip

Malaysia has been hit by the sweltering heat lately. While staying indoors in the comfort of an air-conditioned room the whole day is tempting, we still think that braving the outdoors for a quick day trip would do us some good. Sunny days always yield nice landscape photos, so why not?

After some brainstorming, we have decided for a nice destination that is not too far from home (Johor Bahru), cheap and has some good food to offer. We are Malaysians after all, so good food means good times!

Our sister has been frequenting Pontian lately due to work matters and would always bring home delicious local food and produce. That piqued our interest regarding Pontian, a coastal district located in southwest of Johor, flanked by the Straits of Melaka.

In the days of yore, Pontian is a popular stop for sailors en route to Singapore or Melaka. It is said that the name “Pontian” was derived from the Malay word

Johor

perhentian, meaning a stop or halt.

Growing up, we hardly visited Pontian as it was quite a distance away. But in time, the standard of infrastructure has improved, thus Pontian has now become more accessible. Highways and better roads have been built, the latest one being the MYR800 million Sungai Pulai Bridge that has officially opened to the public in February 2023. The new bridge cuts travelling time between Johor Bahru and Pontian to half; from one hour to just 30 minutes. The 7.5-kilometre two-lane, dual-carriageway bridge is equipped with a 25-metre high and 100-metre-wide navigation clearance for sea vessels. The bridge overlooks Tanjung Pelepas Port and mangrove forests. When we drove cross the bridge, it was one of the most scenic bridge drives we have ever experienced.

Pontian is home to many things. Mention any small town’s name, and you would probably met with a predictable question, “What is there to do?” Well apparently, after some online research and asking friends, there are plenty!

Fun Facts About PONTIAN

» Flag

» Main Town

Pontian Kechil

» Size

919.9 square kilometres

» Distance From Johor Bahru 48 km

» Distance From Kuala Lumpur 316 km

» Distance From Singapore 76 km

» Hottest Month May

» Coldest Month December and January

Right from the top of our heads, Pontian is well known for pineapples in Pekan Nenas, fresh seafood in Kukup, and Tanjung Piai, the southern-most tip of Mainland Asia. These three factors rank high on our interest chart. We are addicted to eating pineapples, we even grow our own pineapples. We love a good seafood feast, and as avid travellers, setting foot on the southern edge of mainland Asia is a no brainer.

Since we only planned for just a half day trip with our mother and sister, we decided on a laid-back road-tripping. It was a lovely drive despite the high temperature. The journey was a scenic one. The roads are lined with big trees on both sides of the road, so we were well shaded from the scorching sun. Tecoma – also known as “the Malaysian Sakura” –are in season, giving our eyes a wonderful treat.

So, this is where we went: Nictar Pineapple Park; then proceeded to the town centre Pontian Kechil to buy the highly recommended Murtabak Hamid at the Pasar Peladang; made a quick stop at Laman DiRaja and Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Pontian; bought fresh seafood at the Pontian Kechil Riverside Fresh Fish Market on Jalan Bakek; and have a lovely seafood lunch at Kukup before we headed home via the new bridge. Along the way, we made several unplanned stops to buy fruits and asam pedas.

We have put together a directory of interesting places to visit in Pontian for your own reference in case you would want to visit the district, which we hope to visit again soon.

» Batu Pahat

» Muar

» Segamat

» Kluang