The flavors of Asia in one festive dinner buffet

Imagine four top-notch chefs from different neighboring Asian countries preparing signature and exciting flavors for you and your loved ones.

Imagine no more.

The four guest chefs (seated) along with resident chefs
at the Marriott Hotel

That's because, apparently, you don't have to hop from one country to another to experience this. All you need to do is go to Marriott Hotel from now until the end of July for its "Flavors of Asia" dinner buffet.

At the top of the month, Marriot Manila (located in the Resorts World Manila complex) invited members of the media (myself included) to meet the four revered chefs from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. There, we were given a preview of the dishes, masterpieces in their own right, that people can expect to find during the month-long celebration.

The four master chefs, from the Marriot family, were Renaissance Kuala Lumpur's Ruhizad Muri; JW Marriott Jakarta's Dadang Wahyudi; Renaissance Riverside Saigon Phan Tien Hoa; and JW Marriott Bangkok Thanatorn Krobsuay.

This is the first time that Marriott Manila launched a month-long dining event in this scale, although the famed hotel has launched an all-Thai food activity, dubbed "Thai Food Fest," for the past two years (both during July).

Prepared by the Indonesian chef :)

For only P2,300 (Sundays to Thursdays) and P2,500 (Fridays and Saturdays), discerning and adventurous individuals can enjoy a charming Asian dinner that is unlike any other.


For Thai food lovers, the selections this year are more lavish and worth discovering with a line up that includes deep fried sea bass with chili sauce, sautéed squid with pineapple and cucumber, beef balls cooked with typical Malay sauce, and braised beef spiced with turmeric and coconut. 

Chef Thanatorn Krobsuayd of Thailand

For Malaysian food enthusiasts, look out for the legendary nasi lemak, as well as signature Penang-type of cooking that blends spices from roots (galangal, turmeric, and ginger); leaves (pandan, lime, and laksa); fruit (lemon, tamarind, and green mangoes); together with other ingredients like shrimp paste and chilies.  


Foodies who love Indonesian cuisine should get excited, too. Expect the popular satay, along with must-try dishes such as the bebek betutu klung klung, an all-spiced up Balinese dish enhanced by a host of pungent roots, herbs, and seasoning.

Not to be outdone are the selections of Vietnamese cuisine notable for its minimal use of oil, bountiful use of herbs and vegetables. People should look forward to the famous Vietnamese spring rolls—soft rice wrappers filled with choicest meats and vegetables such as shrimps, tofu, chicken, and beef.

Chef Ruhizad Muri of Malaysia 

 Dadang Wahyudi of Indonesia

Refreshing drinks from the chefs

If simply devouring those delicious dishes isn't enough for you, the four chefs are to conduct a special cooking class (for only P1, 500) on July 9, Thai; July 16, Malaysian; July 23, Vietnamese; and July 30, Indonesian. Call Marriott Café at 988-9999 for more info.