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IF anyone knows how to do themed nights right, it’s Hilton Bahrain. The hotel launched Pan Asian Night this month, which offers guests a delightful experience with a wide-ranging buffet of specialities from the continent.
My dining companions and I headed to Origin Kitchen & Culture, located on the sixth floor, a spacious venue displaying decorative symbols reminiscent of Asian culture like dragon cutouts, Oriental lanterns and Japanese sensu (fan), which instantly put us into the mood for a Pan Asian feast.
We decided to take a quick tour of the buffet and were thoroughly impressed by it. I learned how diverse Pan Asian cuisine can be. There were dishes with influences from China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, India, and beyond. We were told that the buffet would change every week to offer even more variety.
We decided to commence our gastronomic adventure with a bowl of piping hot soup. I chose the Hot and Sour Chicken, cooked in a light, aromatic broth with a subtle kick that I particularly enjoyed. Next in line of digestive fire was what I’d call ‘small bites’ – an appetising assortment of creations like prawns tempura, and chicken yakitori; yakitori is Japanese for ‘grilled chicken’. Glazed in a teriyaki sauce, these tender protein skewers were a hit on our table. Other items included the refreshing Vietnamese summer rolls, mini salmon poke bowls, different types of sushi and dim sum, and a spicy tuna item with wakame (seaweed), drizzled in a citrusy ponzu sauce.
The seafood, fresh and varied, is worthy of a special mention. Even the salad section spoiled us for choice, featuring Indonesian gado-gado, Thai som tam and more.
Offering tough competition to the treasures of the sea were the terrestrial treats, the show stealer being the iconic Chinese Peking duck. The bird, tender and succulent, was cooked to perfection and the plum sauce, though potent, didn’t overpower the hero. I was impressed with the culinary team’s skill in using local ingredients while preserving the authenticity of the flavours, especially on the Dynamite Hammour. A classic preparation with the flaky fish batter fried until crisp on the edges and doused in a sweet and sour sauce with bell peppers for a contrasting crunch.
Having whet our appetites, we were ready for mains but decided to take a short break and enjoy the live band. The dim-lit ambience added to the vibe. Our friendly servers came to check on us from time to time, a testament to the impeccable service at Hilton Bahrain. The drinks kept flowing and we wished the night would never end.
I made a dash to the noodle counter and enjoyed assembling my own plate with the many ingredients on display. We could choose from different types of noodles and vegetarian and non-vegetarian toppings like sprouts, mushrooms, sugar snap peas, cabbage, broccoli, chicken, beef, seafood… the delicate balance of sweet, sour, and umami made this one a winner.
Pan Asian Night offers an impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan options – vegetable Thai green curry to Indian paneer (cottage cheese), edamame hummus (what a fun twist!) and more. Despite being an obligate carnivore, I thoroughly enjoyed the Thai curry and highly recommend it. At the same time, there were meaty marvels to explore like Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Fish.
The dessert station was a well-balanced mix of authentic Asian sweeties, ice creams, and popular Arabic favourites for those seeking the comfort of something familiar. The culinary team skillfully spun around traditional ingredients like sago, coconut milk and sesame to create modern dishes. My dining companion was all praises for the Thai mango sticky rice, silken and creamy with tangy fruity bits to cut through the richness. I particularly enjoyed one with chewy sago pearls drowned in a luscious coconut milk custard and another cheesecake-like creation topped with a toasted sesame tuile.
I will not hesitate to return to Pan Asian Night, which runs every Wednesday, from 7pm to 10pm and is priced at BD22 with unlimited soft drinks and BD28 with unlimited beverages.
For more information or reservations, visit www.hiltonbahrain.com or call 33692013.
