November 13, 2017

Mercat Gastrobar, Bangsar, KL

8 Tapas You MUST Try at Mercat Kuala Lumpur for A Taste of Barcelona.

A good chef knows how to respect flavours. That means knowing when to maximise the potential of your ingredients’ natural tastes and let them shine. Don’t let the playful food presentations here fool you – they might look flirty, but they remain faithful to their flavours.

Mercat is not just another Spanish bar in Kuala Lumpur. It is a gastrobar with fine foods inspired by my favorite European city, Barcelona. If you’ve never been or have been and miss it longingly like I do, a visit to Mercat will fix you. At least that’s what I do.

{If you’ve never noticed Mercat in Bangsar before, you might just believe me if I told you this picture was taken in Barcelona, right?!}

{Meet me at the bar}

I met Chef David Caral from Mercat Barcelona Gastrobar to find out what his top 8 picks from the Catalonian kitchen are. Presenting . . .

1. Jamón Iberico

Flown in all the way from Jabogo.

2. Croqueta de Jamón

The secret to a good croqueta is to make it creamy and silky. This one is naturally flavored with iberico ham.

3. Patatas Bravas

This adorable version (which reminds me of minions), is served with alioli (‘garlic mayo’) and surprise brava sauce oozing from the inside!

4. Pan con Tomate

Garlic-and-tomato-rubbed-on-toasted-bread – a tapas or breakfast item so typical from Spain you must try!

5. Jardin Esparagus

100% natural, beautiful and delicious vegetarian tapas with black olives layered above asparagus foam.

P.S. There are many vegetarian tapas(es) here, even the paella, so if you are searching for the ‘V’ sign in the menu, just reach out to the waiters / chef.

Just like Barcelona city, the interior design here is also made of taste, art and colors. Here is me and mum, trying to be part of an Instagram-able wall art!

6. Arroz Socorrat

Most Spaniards always go for the bottom of a paella pan to get the crusty bits of paella, also known as socorrat.

Chef David Caral makes this Spanish dream comes true through a challenging mission, where he uses a special technique to fold the rice; presenting only the crispy parts of a paella, cooked with stock, truffle, mushroom, potato and ham.

7. Langosta Baby

From taste to texture, these baby lobsters are cooked to perfection. You won’t be able to guess the extent Chef David goes to ensure that the flavours of the main ingredient is not masked – the garlic in this sauce is cooked 3 times so that it doesn’t empower the lobster!

“The protagonist has to stand out. The rest is to compliment.” #YesBoss!

8. Espuma de Crema Catalana + Patxaran 

I swear this is the BEST crema catalana I EVER HAD.

When mum and I first saw it, we thought “Oh dear, where do we find space in our tummy for that?” The moment we tried our first spoonful, within 3 minutes the whole glass was kosong. Gone.

It was light, fluffy, with the EXACT flavors of a classic crema catalana remained, totally unlike a French crème brûlée.

Patxaran, on the other hand, is a digestive liquor from the north of Spain. Another must try after meal; be it day or night.

Mercat Barcelona Gastrobar

Address: 51, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.

Phone: +60 3-2201 5288

Hours: Monday to Friday 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. 

Watch this video I made about the TOP 5 Spanish Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, selected by the Embassy of Spain KL to represent Spanish cuisine in Malaysia, and remember to subscribe to my channel!