Crab Chow Down
March 27, 2019
April’s my favourite month of the year. It’s just
got better as Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s having a Crab Chow Down promotion at the
Vasco’s coffeehouse.
Recently, the media and bloggers were invited to a
preview of what to expect for this crabby promotion. We walk in to a long table
filled with crabs cooked in more styles than I have fingers. My tastebuds begin
tingling as soon as I sniff the aroma of spices in the air.
The Crab Chow Down promotion is priced at RM178
nett per person. This includes the regular buffet spread too.
For an additional
RM100, you'll get the beverage
package too, which includes Tiger Beer, red and white house wines and soft
drinks. The chefs have gone all out, with crab recipes from
Indian and Malay to Chinese and Japanese.
 |
| Kerabu Ketam or Crab Salad with avocado |
For a start, the Kerabu Ketam (Crab Salad) is a
tasty toss of crab meat with capsicum, tomato, onion, cucumber and coriander in
a zesty lemon dressing. It’s served with creamy, just-ripened avocado. Such an
easy way to eat crab.
 |
| Soft Shell Crab Maki rolled with seaweed or tobiko |
Soft Shell Crab Maki is another favourite, whether
it’s rolled with seaweed or tobiko. A third appetiser, Cold Chilli Crab,
however, requires fingers to get into action.
But then, isn’t that the only way to enjoy a good
crab? Not to worry. Finger bowls are provided for washing up as well as cute
little bibs to catch any crabby juices.
 |
| Chef Hafiz at the action station, cooking Claypot Crabs in White or Red Tom Yum Gravy |
 |
| Cooked in claypot while you watch: Crabs in piquant red (left) and creamy white gravy |
There’s even a cooking station where the friendly
Chef Hafiz dishes up a la minute Claypot Crabs In White or Red Tom Yum Gravy
with mushroom and the heady aromas of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves. My Best Friend and I agree that the White Gravy is
superb, with a creamy edge that proves endearing with crab.
 |
| Slurpilicious Crabmeat Soup with egg and cordycep flower |
There’s another option of Chinese-style Crabmeat
Soup with egg and cordycep flower. Thick and reminiscent of Sharksfin Soup,
this is so tasty I can’t help getting second helpings.
 |
| Thumb-sized baby crabs, deepfried and crunchy |
My eyes are attracted to a tray of crabs no bigger
than my thumb. Deepfried and crunchy, these can be pretty addictive. Next to this are soft shelled crab tempura and Crab
Tandoori with its distinct aroma of singed spices.
 |
| Tandoori Crab |
 |
| Crab Xec Xec, a Goan specialty |
At the Malay
section, we indulge in Malay-style Crab Curry and Crab & Pineapple cooked
with coconut gravy. I like the latter, with the pineapple adding a sweetness to
the gravy.
 |
| Black Pepper Crab |
 |
| Hong Kong-style Crab |
Vasco’s @ Hilton Kuala Lumpur
(pork-free)
3 Jalan Stesen Sentral
KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur
Telephone
+603-2264 2264
Promotion
Crab Chow Down
April 1-30; Dinner only: 6pm to 10.30pm
RM178 nett
