Sepoi-Sepoi – Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort

Sepoi Sepoi – Beachside Cafe in Avani Sepang

Words: Claire Matheson
Photos: Monica Tindall

Located directly on the beach, the Sepoi-Sepoi at Avani Sepang Goldcoast offers unspoilt sunset views over the Malacca Straits, making it one of the best beachside restaurants and bars close to Kuala Lumpur. Located only an hour and a half drive from the city centre, you’d be forgiven for thinking this waterside haven was in Langkawi or Penang. The menu offers a range of Western and Malaysian dishes at affordable prices. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, whether you’re coming for a meal or merely a few coconuts or beers to drink with sand between your toes, the Sepoi Sepoi Cafe is a convenient escape to the city.

Sculptural light baskets hang between frangipani trees, perfuming the sea breeze. The Balinese-inspired surrounds offer plenty of tables and comfortable seating to watch as the sun slowly sinks behind the outreaching splays of Avani Sepang Goldcoast’s palm tree-shaped, over-water villas. The Instagram potential is undeniable, with a wide partner swing for romantic sunset pics. 

Sepoi-Sepoi, Beach Cafe in Avani Sepang

Around us, large tables of friends and families drink buckets of beers, their gentle laughter carrying down the shoreline. The atmosphere is laid back and welcoming. Everyone is here to relax with people they care about, and Executive Chef Joshua Er, and Second Chef Steven Chong, along with their team, will ensure you are well-fed. Sepoi Sepoi Cafe’s drinks menu offers a range of classic beers, including Carlsberg, Tiger, Heineken, Guinness and Coronas (RM23-40), while a handful of Chilean, South African and Australian wines are served by the glass and bottle (ranging from RM35 per glass to RM218 per bottle). The bar also stocks various spirits, and classic cocktails are reasonably priced (RM36 each). We order whole chilled coconuts to cut the afternoon humidity. 

Beachside Restaurant Avani Sepang

Manager Kay has set up a romantically decorated, candlelit table for us with a front-row seat for the sunset. She suggests a range of starters, mains, and desserts for us, all of which sound very enticing. In our first dish, crunchy slices of apple are set against juicy shredded confit chicken in the Sepoi House Salad (RM30), with strips of fennel adding a light aniseed touch. The fresh mesclun is generously doused in a ginger, chilli and sesame oil dressing, with tangy pomelo and cherry tomatoes. Juicy, sweet watermelon and creamy, perfectly-ripe avocado are offset with peppery rocket leaves in the Watermelon and Avocado Salad (RM30). Topped with a sweet orange dressing and a crunch of pumpkin seeds, this refreshing and light salad matches the colours of the clouds in the dusky sky. We enjoyed the freshness of both of these but would probably request the dressing on the side next visit. 

The Forest Mushroom Soup (RM26) has a good depth of flavour, with earthy mushrooms packed into every spoonful. Its creamy finish is heightened by a dusting of nutmeg to bring out the woodiness of the mushrooms. It comes with fragrant baguette-style garlic bread for dipping. With an uber-creamy texture, the Lobster Bisque (RM28) is evocative of a French Bouillabaisse. Its orange blossom surface belies the intense shellfish flavour, punctuated by whole chunks of lobster, echoing the smell of fresh salt air.

Seaside Dining 90-minutes from KL

Unsurprisingly, while the Sepoi-Sepoi offers a range of excellent Western fare, its Malaysian highlights are its superstars. The Nonya Fish Assam Pedas (RM37) is not your typical warong serving, achieving a delicate balance between spice, sour and sweet. Superbly seasoned so that the chilli sits at the forefront of the mouth, the heat gives way to the bold, sour tomato broth. Generously sized pieces of fresh, braised fish lie hidden beneath the surface, covered with a mound of crisp ladyfingers. Served with rice and fish crackers, we use the salty fish cracks to scoop up mouthfuls of the tomato-spiced soup from the bottom of the bowl. 

A fillet of Asian Roasted Barramundi (RM43) delivers a fresh, robust taste, its supple white flesh sitting proudly in a creamy, scallion butter sauce. Accompanied with water spinach and a compressed rice cake, this is a good pick for those who love a little more depth and premium quality compared to your classic on-the-beach fish dishes. 

With a crisp, thin base, the Beef Salami and Pepperoni Pizza (RM41) features whole cloves of roasted garlic and toasted pine nuts topped with rocket leaves. The crust gives a satisfying crunch, and the pepperoni comes with lashings of baked cheese. The toppings are a blend of garlicky tomato, cheesy sausage, and crunchy nuts without any unwanted oiliness or overly doughy base. A flavoursome family favourite, those seeking some extra punch can add a splash of Tabasco sauce. 

Dessert

Chef Joshua suggests we try all four desserts, and who are we to argue? We willingly and dutifully agree to test all. An Earl Grey Créme Brülée (RM19) gives a pleasing crack when tapped with the back of a spoon. The tea flavour is subtle and does not take away from the crust of charred caramelisation. It comes with a splay of tropical fruits in syrup, lending colour and extra sweetness. Espresso Tiramisu (RM22) is Sepoi-Sepoi’s coffee-rich take on a classic. Soft layers of sponge cake are imbued with espresso, cutting through the sweet, creamy taste of the mascarpone. 

Creamy and aromatic, the Lemongrass Panna Cotta (RM19) delivers a light end note of lemongrass. Served with a sugary lemon sauce, it comes decorated with small curls of chocolate and fat blueberries. It’s a good choice for those who may not have much room left after dinner, but are still craving a light dessert.

Lastly, we try the Kaffir Lime Cheesecake (RM22), jammed full of lime flavour, prettily displayed with curls of lime and tall shavings of chocolate. A tart raspberry coulis layers well with the citrus, while the buttery biscuit base is undeniably moreish. This is our pick of the dessert menu, and between us, the plate is quickly empty.

Sunset Restaurant Avani Sepang

By now, the sun has long set, and the lights dance and sway, throwing shadows across the lapping waves and sand beyond. We sit and chat, taking in the peace away from the bustle of the city. Looking up, there are more stars visible here than in most of Western Malaysia. With minimal light pollution, we easily spot Venus, Sirius and the full Orion constellation in some shared star gazing. 

Fire Dancers

The peace is temporary, as there is excitement to be had. Electronic dance music starts up on the beach, letting us know the local fire dance show is about to begin. We finish our drinks before making our way over to the sandy inlet. Before us, a range of metal prongs, poles and chains lie in the sand around an iron bowl of fire, making us question whether we are about to see a show or witness a medieval torture session. Seats and beach loungers are arranged in the loose formation of a stage on the sand. The show starts. Beginning with the already spectacular traditional fire sticks and swirling baskets, this troupe quickly change it up, with fire-eating and cartwheeling spirals of sparks dancing across the sand. Most impressively, a long pole with double-ended baskets of glowing coals is shaken furiously in time to the music, sending a cascading waterfall of fire across the beach. Even after a month of CNY fireworks displays, the heat and ferocity of the fire make the crowd gasp and cheer. There is a good mix of dare-devilry alongside talent on display. 

Sepoi-Sepoi, Cafe in Avani Sepang

Our cameras full of breathtaking snaps, the show comes to an end, and the audience slowly disperses. Guests and visitors head back to the bar for another round or back to their overwater villas to enjoy the peace of their private water views. We have trouble deciding on which is more appealing – returning to our comfortable villa or continuing to chat in these gentle laughter-filled surroundings until the late hours. 

Lunch by the Sea

After enjoying the view and the relaxed vibes so much, we return for lunch the following day. At midday, the high tide has only recently turned and started to recede. The local beach nearby is starting to welcome families, campers, and locals, and we watch them chase crabs and search for bamboo clams. The more professional shellfish hunters wade far out from the shoreline, the thigh-deep water still easily accessible 400m offshore. 

We take up a table on Sepoi-Sepoi’s shaded deck. Seated directly in front of a large outdoor air cooler, we get to enjoy the best of both worlds: the open-air sea breeze of the outdoors with the cooler temperatures of an air-conditioned room. We once again order fresh, whole coconuts, their chilled juice and flesh revitalising in the heat of the day. 

For further refreshment, we try some of Sepoi-Sepoi’s other cooling drinks. The Calamansi Asam Boi (RM20) is pleasantly bitter and tangy, topped with a sprig of mint garnish. The sharpness of the fruit carries a salty citrus aftertaste. The Kombucha (RM14, off-menu request) is effervescent and fresh, and its vinegary bite seem perfectly placed when drunk alongside salty sea air. Frothy and cooling, it is in its element.

Keen to try a few more of the Sepoi-Sepoi’s Malaysian specialties, we order some ‘Mamak Style’ Noodles (RM29) and a bowl of Malaysian Rojak Buah (RM22). The yellow egg fried noodles are doused in a spicy, chili kicap manis sauce, with crispy fried bean curd and loads of fresh squid and prawns, along with chicken, potato and water spinach greens. In the Rojak Buah, crunchy rose apple, sweet and juicy pineapple and mango, starchy and light jicama chunks, with some cheeky fried fritters are drizzled with a sticky sweet tamarind sauce and tossed in plenty of finely chopped roasted peanuts. This Penang specialty is an easy and delicious way to pack some more fruits and vegetables into our lunch. 

For something more substantial and filling, the Black Angus Striploin (RM108) is a decent-sized steak cut to thumb width. Seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked medium, it comes with a creamy scallion mushroom sauce and a serving of steamed cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. This classic meat and three-vegetable serving won’t disappoint those looking for some red meat to accompany their beer!

In the picturesque surroundings of Sepoi-Sepoi’s beachside location, life is a little bit slower (though the service is not). An easy drive from Kuala Lumpur, the cafe is a tranquil oasis. If you cannot spare a full weekend or mid-week retreat at the Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort, visiting the Sepoi Sepoi for an afternoon or evening is like taking a little minibreak from the daily hustle culture of the city. Come and unwind in the salt air. Let the sea breeze blow your stress away as you enjoy a cold drink and a quality coastal meal. And all with the stunning backdrop of a spectacular sunset throwing warm golden tones across the Malacca Strait. 

Reasons to visit Sepoi-Sepoi: The views and the sea breeze are the biggest draw cards, closely followed by the Sepoi Sepoi Cafe’s ice-cold drinks. Or favourite dishes included the Sepoi House Salad and the Nyonya Fish Assam Pedas. 

Sepoi-Sepoi, Beachside Cafe in Sepang
Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort
67 Jalan Pantai Bagan Lalang
Kg Bagan Lalang 43950 Sungai Pelek
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
www.avanihotels.com
[email protected]
+6 03 3182 3600

Find more short beach trips from KL here and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in KL’s food and beverage scene here and here.