Ombak Festival Food & Beverage Line-up – Chocha Foodstore
Words: Monica Tindall
Photos: Han Sen Hau
Have you seen the promotions for the Ombak Festival in the media? Taking place from 13 to 15 September 2024 at Desaru Coast, the festival will feature 27 international and local performers including The Cardigans, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Quantic, Macy Gray and Grace Jones!
But that’s not all; The Ultimate Weekend includes visual arts and crafts, children’s activities, stay packages and an awesome line-up of food and beverage. Some of Malaysia’s top culinary talents will represent at the Ombak Festival. Alongside several ticketed events, such as a supper club with the stars at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas and a brunch at Ember Beach Club, the Festival Village will be packed with treats for the gourmet. Some of our faves, such as Licky Chan, Calle Taco, Jojo’s by Joloko and Kai New Nusantara Eatery, will all be there serving the crowds.
Furthermore, a number of notable Malaysian chefs will take over several of the hotel kitchens. Today we get a sneak peek into some of the offerings with chefs Mui and Nazri from Chocha Foodstore with a Flavours of Borneo theme. You’ll be able to find them at Infinity Bar at Anantara on September 14th and 15th from 7 – 10 pm. Reka:Bar and Vér The Bar at Nadodi will be providing liquid refreshment. It’s going to be a party vibe for sure!
Ombak Festival Food & Beverage Line-up – Chocha Foodstore
Since opening in July 2016, Chocha Foodstore has been one of the coolest and tastiest eateries in Chinatown, KL. It’s a guaranteed good time for gathering with friends and family and out-of-town guests. Part of its charm is the restored shophouse with a rustic, plant-filled vibe, and the other is a fantastic food menu. Sourcing ingredients from independent farmers, fishermen, and foragers, as well as artisanal producers, guests get a true taste of Malaysia.
Chefs Nazri bin Gapur & Mui Kai Quan
Together Chef de Cuisine Nazri bin Gapur and Executive Chef Mui Kai Quan reinterpret the culinary heritage of their ancestors into a contemporary menu deeply rooted in sustainable practices at Chocha. Chef Nazri brings his knowledge of the jungle and Sabahan tradition to the table. At the same time, Chef Mui draws on experience from his work with a star-studded lineup of international kitchens.
Chocha’s Desaru Coast Menu
Making it easy to manage while toe-tapping and grooving to the beats, the Chocha team will serve their menu in canapé-size portions. Today, we sample five recipes. While not all dishes from their latest menu will be available at the Ombak Festival, I’ve included the full menu at the end so you can browse and get a taste in KL if not heading down to Johor for The Ultimate Weekend yourself.
First up is Stingray on Toast (RM 15). It’s not based on just any old white bread but rather Chocha’s famous coconut bread. Serunding – lightly charred, flaky, flossy – stingray meat provides a savoury topping over sour onions. Asam pedas (sour spicy) mayo is zig-zagged across the crown, and chopped green dragon chives break up the orange palette. It’s lightweight in the mouth despite being very full-flavoured.
You must order the Tempura Kadok (RM 20)! They’re so delicious! Betel leaves have been wrapped around mackerel paste (otak otak) and lightly deep-fried tempura style. On top, there’s a tangle of shredded deep-fried betel leaves and dots of a fantastic tuhau (wild ginger root) gel. The acidity of the ginger slices through the richness of the deep-fry.
Pan-seared Ambuyat (RM 30), made from sago palm starch is a like a very soft mochi. It’s been gently deep-fried producing a paper-thin coat. However, it’s the garnishes that give the real pizazz. Bambangan (mango from the Bornean jungle) relish and sinsilog (fresh water eel that’s been salt-dried) sambal have a punch of spice and are packed with flavour.
Borneo’s version of ceviche, Umai (RM 30), with chef Nazri’s own twist, is, dare I say, better than either original. Citrus-cured snapper is marinated in Sarawak laksa paste with peanuts, sesame seeds, shrimp paste, spices and aromatics, giving what is sometimes a unilateral dish depth and complexity.
And don’t worry, they haven’t forgotten the sweet tooth. The simply named Jackfruit (RM 20) is way more complex (and delicious) than it sounds. Black pulut custard (dark purple glutinous rice) is thick and velvety smooth, broken by the light crunch of puffed red rice. Strips of jackfruit provide a burst of colour and sweet pungency on the side, and a drizzle of pandan oil tops it off.
That all sounds super delicious, right?! Now, imagine these bites paired with cocktails crafted by some of Malaysia’s top bartenders. See you there?
Ombak Festival Day Passes
You can purchase Ombak Festival Day Passes: a 1-Day Pass priced at RM550+ or a 2-Day Pass priced at RM990+. All Festival Day Passes include access to the Ombak Main Stage and retail and food and beverages areas within the Festival Village on 14 September and/or 15 September 2024. Children aged 12 and below enter for free with a paying adult.
Festival Day Passes can be purchased from Ticketmelon or SISTIC, while Exclusive Ticketed Events can be purchased from Ticketmelon. For more information about Ombak Festival and to buy festival Stay Packages, please visit www.ombakfestival.com
Stay Packages
But why get a Festival Day Pass when you can take a Stay Package? No port-a-loos for this festival-goer! A stay package allows me to return to my hotel room anytime to use the bathroom, take a nap or freshen up for the next gig!
Stay Packages are available at Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast, The Westin Desaru Coast Resort, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, and One&Only Desaru Coast. Guests can access the F&B programming at all resorts and book Exclusive Ticketed Events, including Chef Jun’s Ombak Supper Club with The Stars by Yellow Fin Horse and Chef Walsh’s Ember Beach Club Brunch.
Festival Day Pass guests can access the Ombak Main Stage and Festival Village (where Food Fiction by REXKL is located), but not events hosted at the resorts like Chocha’s Flavours of Borneo.
Stay Packages are designed for two adults with a complimentary stay for one child aged 12 and under. They include accommodation and breakfast; Festival Opening Party on 13 September; Festival Weekend Passes on 14 and 15 September; access to the Festival Village, Ombak Kids programmes, and Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast; and selected food offerings. Stay packages start at RM3,500 for a 3-day, 2-night stay. More information can be found at OmbakFestival.com
