Every time I step into Five Sen5es, the pork-free Chinese restaurant at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, I feel like I’m entering a palatial mansion. It starts from that classy passageway to the restaurant, right on to the plush seating on elevated wooden platforms at the front flanked by several huge oriental vases. Further up the right side of the restaurant, bigger tables are set up by the floor-to-ceiling windows, enabling the whole area to be bathed in glorious natural light. Soothing splashing sounds from water features and mini koi ponds enhances that sense of zen and that’s what the five senses are about: sound, sight, smell, feel and taste.
Love the open kitchen concept!
With new items added to their menu recently, I was all ready and happy to employ the five senses to check them out. First on the list is the chef’s new signature dish – Salmon Banana Rolls served with Green Tea Dressing. Crispy skin and soft sweet bananas somehow blended well with the salmon and this little surprise dispelled whatever skepticism I had earlier. So, be brave, order this and you may just be as pleasantly taken as I was.
Crispy Salmon Banana Roll with Green Tea Dressing (RM36/small for 1-3 pax)
I love soups, especially when it’s thick with seafood and crowned with a glorious fresh scallop! Pushing aside the sheet of seaweed, every spoonful dug up chunks of fresh succulent seafood from the creamy umami soup.
Braised Fresh Scallop with Seaweed & Seafood Thick Soup (RM36)
Chicken braised with chestnuts and mountain yam was such a comforting dish. Steaming hot in a claypot, the sauce caramelized at the bottom as we ate, and that added a delightful charred aroma to the dish. The softened chestnuts and mountain yam have absorbed the gravy and be warned: you may want to have some plain rice with this pot of braised goodness.
Braised Chicken with Chestnuts & Mountain Yam (RM52 small/RM98 large)
We can’t resist cod fish whenever it’s on a menu and when told that the chef has come out with a new signature dish, we just had to have it. It’s a thick chunk of tender and smooth cod fish bathed in an appetizing sauce of lemongrass, chillies and lime. If you haven’t ordered that bowl of plain rice yet, then it’s about time you do so for this dish!
Cod Fish with Lemongrass Sauce (RM160/180g)
There’s a lot going on in the pot of Minced Duck Fried Rice. In addition to minced duck, the chef has added in prawns, yam and pumpkin – all these of course made the serving more luxe but personally I feel “less is more” would be a better option. Minced duck meat should be the highlight for the fried rice with perhaps just one other suitable condiment. Nevertheless, do enjoy this ingredients-packed pot of fried rice.
Minced Duck Fried Rice with Prawns, Yam, Pumpkin in Claypot (RM45 small/RM88 large)
FiveSen5es serves the usual selection of Chinese desserts and what stood out is the Silken Mango Cream with Pearl Sago and tangy Crushed Thai Pomelo.
Silken Mango Cream with Pearl Sago & Crushed Thai Pomelo (RM20)
Cold Aloe Vera Jelly (RM20)
Peanut coated Rice Dumplings with Black Sesame Filling (RM20)
The above are just a few samples of the new dishes in Five Sen5es newly curated by the culinary team. Do drop by to check out the rest!
Five Sen5es
Level 1
The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2731-8333
Operating hours:
Lunch 12.00pm-2.30pm
Dinner 6.00pm-10.00pm