Tao Chinese Cuisine's nine-course Chinese New Year menus feature a vareity of enticing selections (Photo: InterContinental Kuala Lumpur)
Familial ties make up the roots of the Chinese society, which explains the reason New Year’s Eve dinner (or reunion dinner) — a feast of unity — is so significant. These auspicious lunch and dinner sets, complete with over-the-top yee sang choices and a few traditional dishes thrown in, will earn the seal of approval from even the most demanding grandma.
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
The culinary team at Yun House, led by executive chef Jimmy Wong, is bringing an array of well-loved Chinese classics to the table, which includes the chef’s personal favourites often made for his own family during Chinese New Year. Patrons can sample some of chef Wong’s specialties such as braised "money bags" filled with 10-head abalone, fragrant roasted duck with osmanthus flower and double-boiled superior bird’s nest with red dates. Yee sang enthusiasts are in for a treat — choose either salmon belly, tuna toro or Australian lobster as the topping for the opening toss.
145, Jalan Ampang, KL. Until Feb 8. RM388-688 nett per pax. Yee Sang at RM148 nett onwards. For reservations, call 03 2382 8888.
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with gourmet Yee Sang and set menus exclusively at Tao Chinese Cuisine. Perfect for large groups, Tao’s nine-course Harmonious, Opulent and Abundance Chinese set menus feature a variety of enticing selections for a memorable dining experience. Curated by executive Chinese chef Wong Lian You, each menu starts with a yee sang platter and is followed by a series of symbolic and auspicious dishes. For a lighter option, opt for master dim sum chef Lo Tian Sion’s handcrafted Chinese New Year dim sum from Jan 25 to Feb 8, which includes pan-fried glutinous rice rolls with cheese, unagi and bonito flakes, steamed barbecue chicken bun, and baked baby abalone puff with foie gras.
165, Jalan Ampang, KL. Until Feb 8, 12.30-2.30pm for lunch; 6.30-10.30pm for dinner. Harmonious set, RM1988 per table; Opulent set, RM2388 per table; Abundance set, RM2788 per table. See the full menu here. For reservations, call 03 2782 6128, email foodandbeverage@
The Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Located on the 38th floor, Thirty8 comprises a stunning 360 degree view of KL’s skyline — the perfect backdrop for reunion photos. To highlight the significance of a reunion meal, executive sous chef Byron Zhang has prepared two exclusive menus that incorporate local flavours and ingredients into traditional must-have Chinese New Year dishes from his hometown in Guangdong, China. The six and eight-course menus include the chef’s Prosperity Abalone Treasure Pot, Szechuan-style steamed grouper, traditional crispy chicken stuffed with fish paste and almond flakes and pandan bird’s nest soup.
12, Jalan Pinang, KL. Jan 24-Feb 9, noon-11pm. Six-course menu, RM368 nett per person; Eight-course menu, RM488 nett. See full menu here. For reservations, call 03 2182 1234 or email [email protected].
The Saujana Hotel Kuala Lumpur
An extravagant spread of specialty gourmet dishes await guests at Chinese restaurant Ti Chen in the form of three themed set menus — Silver and Gold set, Rich and Affluent set and Fortune and Longevity set — symbolic of auspicious Chinese traditions. The set packages for five to ten people cover a full range of time-honoured family favourites including chicken with roasted sesame with crackers and green chilli sauce, steamed glutinous rice with dried oyster wrapped in lotus leaf and wok-fried sea prawn with butter and egg yolk. The meal packages are offered with a bottle of Jacob’s Creek Shiraz or free flow of soft drinks for three hours. The Rich and Affluent and Fortune and Longevity 10-persons set comes with an option of one bottle of Glenlivet Captain’s Reserve or Berry Bros. and Rudd Classic Sherry Cask for an additional RM300 and RM200 respectively.
Jalan Lapangan Terbang Subang, Saujana, Shah Alam. Jan 8-Feb 8, noon-3pm; 6-10pm. Silver and Gold set, RM898 for five persons, RM1,788 for 10 persons; Rich and Affluent set, RM1088 for five persons, RM2088 for 10 persons; Fortune and Longevity set, RM1488 for five persons, RM2888 for 10 persons. See the full menu here. For reservations, call 03 7843 1234 or email [email protected].
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur
For those who enjoy other cuisines but would still like to revel in the Chinese New Year atmosphere, Latest Recipe’s lavish spread of local and international dishes will fit the bill. In addition to Malay, Indian, Japanese and Western fare, Latest Recipe will also feature a variety of Chinese specialties prepared by the hotel’s banquet chef, chef Teh, to commemorate the arrival of the auspicious year. Guests can expect a wide range of traditional favourites, such as pei pa-style roasted duck, assorted dim sum, wok-fried crab with spicy chilli sauce and stir-fried kam heong chicken. The buffet dinner selection will have four menus and five Yee Sang selections on rotation, including yee sang with lobster, sliced clam abalone, sliced tuna, salmon and jellyfish. If you want more privacy, the Great Prosperity Chinese New Year Set Menus — available in six or eight courses for RM2,088 and RM2,552 nett per table of 10 persons respectively from Jan 15 to Feb 15 — can be enjoyed in a private room.
2, Jalan Stesen Sentral, KL Sentral, KL. Jan 17 to Feb 8. Mon-Thurs, RM168 nett per pax; Fri-Sun, RM178 nett. On Jan 24, the Chinese New Year’s Eve buffet dinner is priced at RM218 nett per pax. For reservations, call 03 2263 7434 or email [email protected].
Nobu Kuala Lumpur
Experience an elevated Chinese New Year affair through Nobu’s famed Japanese-Peruvian cuisine alongside a magnificent view of the city skyline. Toss to the start of a prosperous decade with the Nobu Style Prosperity Sashimi Platter (RM188++ for two people), featuring fresh seafood ingredients, vegetables, fruit and a homemade sour plum sauce. An additional RM100 will give you a premium whole lobster version instead of sashimi. Then, enjoy the New Year Hot Pot Nabemono Nobu Style (RM288++ for two people), inspired by poon choi, a traditional Chinese slow-cook dish meant for sharing. The hot pot brims with a kombu and chicken broth mixed with seasonal mushrooms, tofu, leeks, cabbage, abalone as well as two selections of protein such as Wagyu short rib, chicken, freshwater prawn and scallop.
Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, KL. Available until Feb 2. For reservations, call 03 2164 5084.
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
St Regis Kuala Lumpur’s executive chef Chong Boon Fei will be showcasing specially curated set menus that feature customary delicacies, heart-warming dishes and treasured recipes by the hotel’s owning family. Dine on handmade jiao zhi (dumplings), braised bird’s nest soup with crab meat, pan-seared radish cake with crispy prawn and seaweed crumbs, braised abalone with lotus root and dried oyster and more for lunch or dinner with a choice of three Yee Sang options topped with either slices of salmon and jellyfish, abalone and soft-shell crab or a vegetarian version. Guests can reserve private dining rooms for groups of four to up to 50 guests or The Astor Room and Grand Ballroom for up to 800 guests.
6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, KL Sentral, KL. Jan 6-Feb 7. Set A is RM468+ per person with an Abalone and Crispy Soft-Shell Crab Yee Sang, Set B is RM398+ per person with a Salmon and Jellyfish Yee Sang and Set C is RM368+ per person with a Vegetarian Yee Sang. For reservations, call 03 2727 6696 or email [email protected]
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur
Usher in the Year of the Metal Rat with your loved ones at the award-winning Lai Po Heen helmed by new executive Chinese chef Michael Wong. Guests can choose from three set menus — Fortune, Prosperity and Wealth — and expect gourmet dishes such as double-boiled abalone soup with bamboo fungus, wok-fried rice with diced lobster, fish roe and bonito flakes and oven-baked honey cod fish fillet. Two dim sum lunch sets — Longevity (RM188 per pax) and Happiness (RM238 per pax) — are also available for guests who want something different. Must-tries include the steamed prawn and water chestnut dumplings with gold leaf, deep-fried roasted duck dumplings and steamed baby abalone and chicken siew mai.
Kuala Lumpur City Centre, KL. Until Feb 29. Fortune set, RM288 per pax; Prosperity set, RM398 per pax; Wealth set, RM518 per pax. See the full menu here. For reservations, call 03 2179 8885.
