The opening of Serai House in Seri Negara last month marks a new chapter for the iconic landmark as a vibrant part of Kuala Lumpur’s cultural and culinary landscape. The restaurant breathes new life into this colonial-era mansion, originally built in 1898 as the official residence of the British High Commissioner in Malaya.
Set within the verdant Perdana Botanical Gardens, Seri Negara has played host to key moments in the nation’s history – the Constitution of Malaysia was partly drafted within its halls and the estate later served as a luxury heritage hotel until 2015.
Under the wings of the Serai Group, Serai House offers a classy, intimate and refined dining experience, blending Seri Negara’s historic elegance with modern Malaysian cuisine.
We experienced the warm hospitality of Serai House recently, set beneath Seri Negara’s lofty ceilings and surrounded by century-old trees. The restaurant embraces a “contemporary” aesthetic, honouring the mansion’s regal past while providing warm, understated sophistication for diners.
We sampled a few signature items from their menu which pays tribute to Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage – revived, refined and thoughtfully reinterpreted.
We started with a quintessential Malaysian appetizer pairing of Chicken Satay and the refreshing Salad Udang Harimau, Limau Bali & Bunga Kantan. Served with Serai’s signature peanut sauce, the smoky chargrilled skewers and nasi himpit cubes set an appetizing pace – accompanied by the gorgeous bright salad redolent with citrus and ginger flower notes.
This was followed by a tantalising platter of Nasi Kuning Diraja accompanied by:
- Rendang Tulang Rusuk a standout beef ribs slow-cooked in aromatic herbs and spices until meltingly tender, it offers a modern take on a classic while preserving its depth of flavour.
- Udang Sambal Petai, marrying fresh prawn and bold petai beans, slow-simmered in a fragrant, spice-laden sambal.
- Urab Pucuk Paku – a delightful concoction of fiddlehead ferns, onions, ginger flower, fried anchovies, shrimp paste sprinkled with toasted shredded coconut
We loved the dessert – Kastard Pandan Bersantan – silky pandan custard with rich coconut cream and luscious gula melaka. It’s like magnified cendol on steroid in a bowl! Every spoonful was simply bliss!
We were told the grilled items at Serai House should not be missed, like their Ikan Merah Bakar, a red snapper charred over open flame, lightly smoky with a delicate spice rub that lets the sweet, flaky fish shine. Another recommendation is their Ayam Bakar – charcoal-grilled to perfection and accompanied by a rich, smoky sauce that elevates this humble dish into a gourmet highlight.
At Serai House, the grandeur of Seri Negara’s architecture meets the diversity of Malaysian flavours, offering guests a uniquely sensory journey. Under the mansion’s grand colonnades, guests will find that Seri Negara is once again a place where people come together to share good food and good company in a venue rich with history and heart.
SERAI HOUSE | Seri Negara | located in Perdana Botanical Garden | Persiaran Tuanku Ja’afar | Tasik Perdana | 50480 Kuala Lumpur | Tel: 6011-6295-0377
Open daily from 11.00am-3.00 & 6.00pm-10.00pm.
For reservations: