The swimming pool offers a direct view of Paloh (Photos: Temple Tree Resort Langkawi)
When Malaysians think of domestic holiday destinations, Langkawi immediately comes to mind. Its scenic, untouched landscape and pearl white sand beaches are ample enough to attract local and international tourists alike for a relaxing and nature-focused vacation. Hotels and resorts, each with their own appealing qualities, are also aplenty on the island.
The humble yet charming Temple Tree Resort Langkawi is situated in a quiet neighbourhood on Jalan Pantai Cenang. It is the place to go for those who wish to revisit the past and experience the kampung life by way of staying in heritage houses from the different states, such as Perak, Johor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang.
Besides architecture and the environment, another important aspect that can get one completely immersed in traditional lifestyle is indulging in specialised cuisine. This is why Temple Tree has gone to great lengths to revamp its restaurant to improve its service and offerings. A new name has been given to its existing eatery and a refreshed menu promises a variety of local flavours.
The introduction of Paloh Restaurant & Bar (previously Temple Tree Restaurant & Bar) and Heritage Menu is an extension of the preservation effort that has always been part of the resort’s DNA.
“The Heritage Menu is launched to complement the traditional houses in our property. It showcases Malaysian culture by highlighting the signature dishes of each state. In a way, it is like creating a culinary journey for our customers,” says resort manager Irene Vairo.
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Some of them are familiar to our taste buds such as Asam Pedas (braised Andaman sea bass in tamarind gravy) from Johor, Nyonya Laksa (noodles in spicy coconut milk soup) from Melaka, Daging Salai Cili Api (tender grilled beef strips in creamy turmeric sauce) from Negeri Sembilan, and Char Kuey Teow (flat rice noodles with calamari and shrimp) from Penang.
“We maintain the Malay name of the meals so when foreigners look at the menu, they will be curious to know what they are. It is good because it means we have the opportunity to explain to them the food, as well as local culture,” Vairo says.
Her personal favourite is Nyonya Laksa. “I’ve gotten used to Malaysia and its spices, but I still like my food not too spicy,” she smiles.
As the goal is to honour authenticity, the fare is prepared using family recipes of the local cooks and staff that have been passed down from generation to generation. It was all hands on deck researching and developing the menu to make sure it is of the best taste and quality.
Paloh is located at the ground floor of the 120-year-old Ipoh House — the first structure one sees upon entering the property — alongside the lobby, front desk and staff office. “Ipoh used to belong to two different families so it underwent renovation twice. An Indonesian family built the house first before another one bought the place 60 years later. You can see each of their personal touches in the building,” Vairo explains.
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Some restoration work has been done to make the space appropriate for guests to enjoy their time there. “The verandah was not here, but 90% of the exterior is exactly like the original. The roof and ceiling are built from cengal that came with the house — it’s the kind of wood that can hardly be found these days but they last hundreds of years.
“We decided to keep the pillar and constructed a bar surrounding it. We made sure to maintain the colour of the home as well,” she says.
The restaurant’s open-air design allows guests to soak in the afternoon sun while having a meal with a clear sight of the iconic Temple Tree swimming pool. At night, patrons are able to catch the beautiful Langkawi sunset from the yard.
“Paloh is not just about food, but also the entire experience. We have carefully built an ambience that encourages relaxation and helps create beautiful memories with your family and friends.”
Vairo, who hails from Turin, Italy, first came to Malaysia in 2014 to work in Pulau Pangkor, Perak. After pursuing her studies in Australia the following year, she was posted to Langkawi and has since built a home with her family on the island, living in a humble abode surrounded by rice fields just a stone’s throw from the resort.
“I’m not a city person and I’m very into beaches and nature. When I first came here, I thought Langkawi was a nice place to live in. Now, every time I open my window in the morning, I can see buffaloes.”
On the name of the restaurant, Paloh, Irene says it was a collective decision made by the management together with its owner. “Perak’s capital city, Ipoh, was originally called Paloh, which means tin mine. According to local folks, it is also a reference to the dams constructed along the Kinta River for fishing.” As the eatery is situated in Ipoh House, it is only right for them to pick a name associated with the fascinating historic town.
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Besides Malaysian fare, Paloh also offers a slew of options for Mediterranean and Western cuisine, including homemade pizza, pasta and burgers. “The menu is always evolving and we welcome feedback from customers to improve where we are lacking. It is our mission to continuously revamp the menu, maybe once every three months, to ensure an extensive deal for our guests.”
Temple Tree is the destination people choose for a complete leisure experience. Think waking up to the sound of birds chirping and chickens clucking, strolling around the neighbourhood to get the heart pumping or completing a novel by the pool, all the while enjoying scrumptious meals from different regions. Life cannot get better than this.
Paloh Restaurant & Bar, Temple Tree Resort Langkawi, Lot 1053, Jalan Pantai Chenang, Langkawi, Kedah. 012 800 6730. Daily, 8am to 11pm.
This article first appeared on Nov 27, 2023 in The Edge Malaysia.
