Review: The Majapahit

The Majapahit, located in Arcoris Mont Kiara, is named after the once-powerful 13th-century Javanese empire that extended throughout several parts of Southeast Asia. Their extensive menu reflects this with dishes from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, with some Western comfort dishes (burgers, pizza, etc.) in there to satisfy the demanding palates of the many expats who choose to reside in Mont Kiara. It makes for an especially eclectic menu, that’s for sure, but the benefit of such diversity is that most diners will be able to find plenty on offer that appeals to them.

A suitably grand entrance at The Majapahit

We dropped in on a relaxed weekday evening recently to try a few things on their menu. As noted, there is a wide range of regional fare available, and we decided to start with a mixed platter of satay that pays homage to the culinary traditions and techniques of several places. The ‘Satay of Southeast Asia’ platter is offered in two sizes; we opted for the smaller one (RM66), which comes with a beautiful presentation of top-quality satay, including Balinese fish satay, Malaysian chicken satay, Indonesian beef satay, and Vietnamese sugarcane prawn satay. Each satay version comes with its own unique dipping sauce, along with some sticky rice parcels (like ketupat) and fresh salad. We found everything to be incredibly fresh and tasty – and true to the places from which each satay hailed. The beef satay was nicely spicy, too, and this platter overall is something that’s easy to recommend if you’re having any trouble deciding on starters.

An order of Melinjo Crisps (RM9) was also on hand with the satay platter. Though these wafer-thin crisps are relatively bland on their own, a piquant dipping sauce is served with them, and the texture and flavour of the two together proved to be slightly addictive.

Meanwhile, a similar platter called ‘Curry Galore’ showcases various curries from the region. Also priced at RM66 (with a vegetarian version available for RM39), this platter presents Thai red curry beef, Thai green curry chicken, Indonesian squid curry, and Malaysian prawn curry. Served with bread and plenty of roti prata, this is an excellent platter for anyone who enjoys a good curry!

There are also much more substantial steak platters (‘East Indies Meat Platters’) that come with multiple cuts of beef and lamb, side dishes, and sauces. This would be a complete meal for several people, so we skipped these, but admit our curiosity was piqued, simply because we had seen what a great job the kitchen team had done with the other platters! That said, there are also single-steak options available, too, which looked amazing, starting with the 300-g Angus striploin with all the trimmings for just RM83. We may need to return just to try these steaks!

This time around, though, we ordered a much more manageable Thai Mango Salad (Som Tam Mamuang), which was only RM16. With shredded green mango along with plenty of lemongrass, coriander leaves, and shallots, all tossed in a lovely lime and fish sauce dressing and garnished with crushed peanuts and sliced chillies, this salad was refreshing and just the right level of spiciness. For more heat, diners can opt for the Thai Green Papaya Salad (RM18), which brings more chillies into the mix.

Truth be told, we were already getting full by this point, but had our eyes on the Crispy Butter Prawns (RM84). This is one of the few ‘pricey’ dishes on the menu, in fact, and one of the things we liked about Majapahit right from the start is how incredibly reasonable the menu prices are. Of course, these are big, plump prawns, and they never come cheap. We succumbed to the temptation, and were really glad we did – this was an incredible dish. Juicy, fresh king prawns, deep-fried with curry leaves and tossed in a delectable butter sauce that was somehow crispy and delicate… and packed with great texture and flavour. The menu acknowledges a bit of difficulty in determining where this dish originated (Malaysia and Thailand are both offered as possibilities), but either way, we are sure diners will enjoy it.

As for beverages, it’s safe to say no one will go thirsty here with such a comprehensive selection of sodas, juices, teas, and coffees available. Through an arrangement with a separate lounge operator called ‘The Living Room,’ within and above the restaurant, stronger beverages are also available.

Diners can choose from four house wines (two reds and two whites), along with a more detailed red and white wine list, two rosés, and two sparkling wines. There are many wines that be familiar, with the ubiquitous Luis Felipe Edwards label represented with a Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. More adventurous diners will be pleased to see wines such as M. Chapoutier Bila Haut Rouge, a Côtes-du-Roussillon blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Carignan grapes that thrive in southern France. Other wines that will impress are a Placido Pinot Grigio, Placido Chianti DOCG, and a Dr Loosen Riesling Qualitatswein. What is also refreshing is that these wines are priced to sell, with the Placido Chianti listed at just RM120 (+10% service, though SST is included), which we feel is more than fair. Other bottles are offered at different price points, but all are equally attractive.

Apart from the compact wine list, patrons can enjoy four draft beers including Sapporo, cocktails, mocktails, and spirits, including several whiskies.

We barely made the smallest of dents in Majapahit’s extensive and eclectic menu, but by this time, we were feeling quite full – and very satisfied with the meal – and decided to order the small desserts and wrap things up. The Mango Sticky Rice (RM16) is a Thai staple, and this version of it is a winner. The glutinous rice is served warm, and the mango fresh and cool, and of course it’s all accompanied by coconut cream sauce and brown sugar syrup on the side.

We also tried the cold and refreshing Red Rubies Water Chestnut dessert (RM14) with the shaved ice and ruby-coated crunchy water chestnuts drizzled with a sweet coconut milk and accentuated with sliced jackfruit. Both of these desserts were simple, authentic, and delicious, and it’s a bit hard to pick a favourite, though Mango Sticky Rice will probably have near-universal appeal!

We really enjoyed the experience at The Majapahit. The food was outstanding, prices on the menu are terrific, and we thought the open-plan ambiance of the restaurant was quite inviting. It’s contemporary, but still feels comfortable, and it’s clear the owners have put some thought and effort into making it a nice place to enjoy a good meal. Service was gracious and attentive, too, so the restaurant handled the dining trifecta of ‘food, service, and atmosphere’ very well indeed. With its quality food and attractive prices, the fact that the menu is so varied and lengthy isn’t a bad thing at all – it just makes it an easy decision to go back again and try more!