Spice Market, Langkawi

Culinary wonders at Pelangi Langkawi

For luxury travellers heading to the island getaway of Langkawi and interested in sampling authentic traditional Malay cuisine along with Indian and Chinese platter, the name Spice Market- the all-day dining food outlet of Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa is quintessential. The classy food outlet overlooks the Straits of Malacca and the name conjures up the spice route from Northern Europe to South-East Asia. The 200-seater sprawling outlet provides an extensive list of South Asian breakfast. In other words, Spice Market is best suited for diners with deep pockets craving for a blend of Indian, Malay and Chinese cuisine in a typical rustic Malay set-up.  

The restaurant came up way back in 1989 and displays the traditional Malay spices.  The Unique Selling Proposition of the outlet is that the delicacies are all churned out by local Malay chefs. I had a luxury staycation at Langkawi’s Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa sometime in April, this year.  I used to visit the outlet everyday for breakfast and dinner. The dimly-lit outlet exudes decor that resembles an old-world ambience with chandeliers and is a store-house of Malay spice shop. There are options for buffet breakfast and dinner and a la carte menu is served in lunch. The outlet gears up with four live counters including noodles, eggs, roti and fruits during breakfast while dinner is replete with two live stations- noodles and barbecue.   

 An appetiser dish

 Vegetable Wrap

  There is a separate vegetarian counter that added to my advantage. I used to gorge on vegetarian noodles, dosa, upma, fritters and cupcakes for breakfast and rounded off with a platter of tropical fruits like honey dew, water melon and pine apple. Plain yogurt was something that I never missed out. The outlet serves dosa with fish curry instead of the usual sambhar and chutney.   

Dinner buffet was quite lavish with a sumptuous spread of appetizer called baked tandoori vegetable salad made of roasted pumpkin, cauliflower, spices, cherry tomatoes, spinach and curd dressing. The main section had vegetarian thali including Pilaf vegetarian rice and paratha that were relished with Fried Potatoes and green Peas, Vegetable Jhalfrezi and the exotic Soya Paneer Masala with add-ons including cucumber Raita and Papad.

 A typical Indian thali

Moving on to the dessert section, there are 30 desserts on offer. I was served the traditional Indian Gulab Jamun and the Malay dessert-Rambutan Cinnamon Compote that has to be tried. There were a slew of Continental desserts including cakes, porridges along with traditional Malay cakes and jellies. My favourite desserts were Chocolate Cakes, Honey dew Pudding, Carrot Cakes and Chocolate Mousse.

 French Vanilla

 Black Currant Jelly

The food outlet remains open every day from 7 AM to 11 PM. 

Address: Spice Market

                 Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi,

                Pantai Cenang, 07000

                Kedah, Langkawi,

                Malaysia.

Phone:  604 9528888

Food for two: RM 300 approximately exclusive of alcohol.