Dining Across Asia at The Trans Luxury Hotel’s 7 Spices Routes

Seven countries, one dinner, and a poolside setting in the heart of Bandung. We recently joined 7 Spices Routes, a Saturday dinner experience at The Trans Luxury Hotel, where Chef Katon and Chef Engoi Chee Hing brought together signature dishes from across Asia.

Set by the pool with live music playing in the background, the dinner had a relaxed and romantic atmosphere, made even better by Bandung’s cool evening weather. But the main attraction was, of course, the food, with a generous spread taking us from Thailand and Vietnam to China, Japan, India, South Korea, and Indonesia.

A Little Taste of Seven Countries

We started with some lighter bites, including Som Tam, the classic Thai green papaya salad, and Vietnamese Vegetable Rolls, before moving on to the assorted sushi selection. The sushi was almost too tempting to leave behind, especially for anyone who likes having a few fresh bites before moving on to the heavier dishes.

But if there was one dish Chef Katon particularly recommended, it was the Thai Red Curry Chicken. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours, while the curry sauce is prepared to retain an authentic Thai flavour.

And honestly, we could immediately understand why it was one of his picks. The curry was rich and fragrant, with the spices coming through without overpowering the tender chicken. One spoonful was enough to make us go back for another serving.

The Vietnamese selection had another standout in the form of Pho, served with beef and a deeply flavoured broth that takes 24 hours to prepare. It had that comforting quality we usually look for in a good bowl of pho, with the long-cooked broth giving the dish plenty of depth.

From China, the Roasted Duck was another must-try. The beautifully roasted skin and tender meat made it an easy addition to our plate, especially alongside the other richly spiced dishes.

The journey continued with Butter Chicken Masala from India, Bibimbap from South Korea, and Sate Maranggi representing Indonesia. The latter was one of our personal favourites. The beef was tender, juicy, and packed with flavour, making it one of the best Sate Maranggi we’ve tried in a while.

With seven countries represented on one buffet spread, the fun is really in moving from one flavour profile to another. One plate can take you from the bright and fresh flavours of Thailand and Vietnam to the richer spices of India, then back to familiar Indonesian comfort food.

Save Room for Dessert

Of course, a dinner like this isn’t complete without exploring the dessert selection.

There’s a generous spread of sweet treats inspired by the different countries, including Mango Sticky Rice and Mochis. But the one that stood out to us was the Kakigori, a Japanese shaved-ice dessert that made for a refreshing finish after such a flavour-packed meal.

Light, cold, and just sweet enough, it was exactly what we needed at the end of the dinner. After making our way through dishes from seven different corners of Asia, the Kakigori left us with a refreshing final note rather than feeling overly heavy.

An Asian Culinary Journey by the Pool

More than just a buffet dinner, 7 Spices Routes makes an evening out of exploring different Asian flavours in one setting. The poolside atmosphere, live music, and cool Bandung weather added to the experience, making it particularly enjoyable for a relaxed dinner with family, friends, or a date night.

For those who want to experience the journey for themselves, 7 Spices Routes: A Culinary Journey Across Asia is available every Saturday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Trans Luxury Hotel, priced at Rp398,000++ per person. Come hungry, because with seven countries on the menu, there’s plenty to explore in one evening.

The Trans Luxury Hotel
Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 289, Bandung
P: (022) 87348888
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