It’s that time of the year when Hungry Tapir, a vegan restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, whips up their special Christmas menu. I had the privilege of experiencing their festive menu twice, in 2020 and 2022. They were both good experiences and I rated them “10/10 Recommend” (despite minor criticism which I hope they have improved on). This year, I was invited to taste the 5-course menu before the official launch. So here’s what they’re offering this year.
Overview
From the 24th to 29th of December 2024, you can enjoy a 5-course Vegan Christmas food and drinks at Hungry Tapir. The early bird price is RM140 nett (RM80 for kids). But if you walk in it’s RM180 nett (RM110 for kids). So be sure to give them a call to book a table.
Hungry Tapir is a vegan restaurant located in Petaling Street and the area is accessible by public transport (Pasar Seni LRT/MRT). If you’re driving, you can park at the open space car park (MJC Parking) with a flat rate of RM11 per entry.
Drink to Start: ‘No Egg’ Eggnog
I’ve never tried eggnog before so I can’t compare this vegan version with the non-vegan one. The ‘No Egg’ Eggnog is made of coconut milk and cinnamon. Personally, I liked it because I’m a fan of coconut and cinnamon. It’s such a great combination.
Note that there is a non-alcoholic version for my halal fam.
Amuse-bouche: ‘Peegs’ in Blankets
This is spiced beetroot sausage in sesame puff pastry with cranberry sauce. It’s like a little teaser to the main dish, giving a sprinkle of what Christmas tastes like.
Starter: Sweet Potato Spinach Salad
I really loved this salad. Warm roasted sweet potato and spinach salad with sweet mustard vinaigrette and pine nuts. They served this in previous years and I’m glad they brought this dish back.
The Main Stars of this Vegan Spread
For the mains, you can choose one of two dishes, both served with Yorkshire pudding, roasties, festive vegetables and trimmings. All the food is alcohol-free so there is no need to worry.
Rendang and Chestnut Wellington with Pedas Penyet Dressing
For the locals (and perhaps brave non-Malaysians) who love spicy food, this one’s a treat! The penyet dressing adds a good kick to the Wellington.
Lionsmane Tenderloin Roast with Cranberry Balsamic Glaze
If you can’t handle spicy food, this Lionsmane roast would be perfect for you! Just the right amount of roasty-ness and tenderness for a kind Christmas.
Not a Vegan Christmas without Brussels Sprouts and Hummus
When I think of festive dinners like Christmas and Thanksgiving, I’d always think of Brussels sprouts. So Hungry Tapir is definitely keeping up with tradition. This version has hummus with spiced orange, ginger and pomegranate dressing. The hummus is very light, which I think is good so it’s not overpowering the main dish.
Ending with Vegan Dessert and Hot Chocolate
You may think that you’re full by this point, but I can assure you that there’s always room for dessert. You may choose either the warm Christmas pudding with vanilla cream sauce or the fruity ‘mince pies’ pastry. Both are served with vanilla ice cream and candy cane hot chocolate.
A Festive Remembrance
I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I do celebrate the diverse culture and festivities in Malaysia. It’s a norm here to support and celebrate with each other despite the differences.
I did feel a bit indulgent going through the 5-course dinner when many humans and non-humans are suffering under occupation and exploitation. But I’m glad that our conversation brought us to remember the plight of the animals in captivity and the humans going through genocide. This privilege was all by God’s Grace and many thanks were uttered under my breath throughout the evening.
It’s also worth remembering that Jesus (peace unto him) was Palestinian as he was born in Bethlehem. So we all need to play a part, however small, in protecting the sacred land from occupation.
I hope this festive season brings about remembrance of God and nurtures the spirit of giving to those in need. And may we continue such habits in the new (Gregorian) year.