Le Méridien’s platter with an amusing serpent-shaped sculpture made of crackers promises to bring much-needed wow factor to any social gathering (Photo: Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur)
Chinese New Year staple yee sang is a canvas for the curious, and proof that even the simplest dish can hold multitudes. Toss to a riot of colours and textures that feel as joyful as the festive season itself.
Snake-shaped Yee Sang
Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur
In need of a spectacular reunion dinner centrepiece that will have even those who detest yee sang clamouring around the table? Le Méridien’s version, with an amusing serpent-shaped sculpture made of crackers, set in a garden of vegetables and delicate rosettes of raw fish, promises to bring much-needed wow factor to any social gathering. Complete the platter with your selection of jellyfish, salmon, tuna, sliced abalone or lobster. While the protein options may not be the most out-of-the-box, the cheeky creature with its playful forked tongue is sure to usher in the joy and excitement needed to start the year right.
Price starts from RM149 nett. Available from Jan 13 to Feb 12. Contact 03 2263 7888 to order.
Salmon Belly with Ikura Caviar
Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur
In a sea of predictable reunion dinners, yee sang, when liberated from convention, can be a quiet rebellion on the plate. Crowning the familiar bouquet of julienned vegetables and pickles served at Yun House are crispy salmon belly skin and a smattering of delicate, briny ikura caviar. And then, there’s the finish — a drizzle of sweet-sour sauce that ties this elevated dish together with just the right amount of zest.
Small portion, RM288; big portion, RM568. Until Feb 12. Call 03 2382 8640 or order here.
Yellowtail Hamachi and Jellyfish
St Regis Kuala Lumpur
Like nian gao or poon choi, the ‘prosperity salad’ is typically relegated to once-a-year status during Chinese New Year. But that does not mean a mound of greens has to be boring. Please the sceptics with not just any ordinary seafood topping but slivers of fresh hamachi, or yellowtail. Though usually prepared sushi- or sashimi-style, the clean-tasting amberjack makes for a mildly sweet yet meaty starter to earn its place on the yee sang platter.
Small portion, RM298; big portion, RM398. Available at The Brasserie and the Private Dining Room until Feb 12. Order here.
Murukku, Ulam Raja and Bunga Kantan
Table & Apron
Did you know yee sang originated from our region? Surely, it makes sense then, that an iteration celebrating our local ingredients and flavours deserves pride of place on the reunion table. Only fresh ingredients, including white radish, green mango, pomelo, ulam raja, sengkuang, bunga kantan, pomegranate and kaffir lime leaf, are used to build Table & Apron’s Prosperity Yee Sang. With nary a neon cracker in sight, murukku and toasted coconut flakes give the salad an appropriate amount of crunch. Flavours of the dish are rounded off with a sauce made from asam jawa, cherry compote, sesame oil, star anise, cinnamon and cloves.
RM188 for 6-8 pax. Until Feb 12. Whatsapp 03 7733 4000 to pre-order.
Canadian Geoduck
EQ Kuala Lumpur
The latest menu from EQ KL’s annual Golden Phoenix pop-up does not betray its legacy of serving luscious, auspicious dishes. While the hotel’s decadent Australian lobster yee sang is a must-have out of the fleet of festive eats, those seeking an especially unique but equally delicious delicacy should definitely give the fresh Canadian geoduck version a try. No reason to skimp on seafood either, since eating fish during the new year is believed to promise endless annual abundance. You can pile on the piscine prosperity with abalone, Hokkaido scallops or even more lobster, among other available add-ons.
Fresh Australian lobster yee sang, RM488 for 4-6 persons; RM668 for 8-10 persons. Fresh Canadian geoduck yee sang, RM388 for 4-6 persons; RM488 for 8-10 persons. From Jan 14 to Feb 12. Order here.
Fruit and Mushroom
W Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Though most iterations of yee sang are commonly laced with meaty slivers of salmon or chewy tangles of jellyfish, plenty of restaurants are beginning to offer lush veggie-based alternatives to the celebratory plate. The Prosperous Nanyang Vegetarian Yee Sang from W Hotel, for example, guarantees everyone at the table can have a hand in the ceremonial toss. Dive your chopsticks into the bountiful combination of deep fried homegrown abalone mushrooms and finely sliced fresh fruits. This refreshing multicoloured medley of flavours and textures is the perfect way to usher in unity and wealth.
RM178 for half set; RM288 for full set. Until Feb 12. To purchase, email [email protected] or contact 012 357 4788
London Duck
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
Tao Chinese Cuisine at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, which specialises in Cantonese fare, rings in the new year with a slew of mouthwatering six- to nine-course lunch and dinner sets, but its yee sang menu also deserves a shout-out, featuring exquisite topping choices that will instantly elevate the dish. This offering is especially perfect for seafood lovers, since you can top up with more ingredients such as snow crab leg, Atlantic salmon, scallops, baby octopus and jellyfish. Or, you can opt for roasted London duck (pictured) to make it richer in protein.
RM148 for half set; RM260 for full set. Until Feb 12. Book here.
Kerabu with Smoked Wagyu
De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan
Celebrity chef Wan of De.Wan 1958 has introduced a unique Malay twist to yee sang by incorporating nasi kerabu elements into it. A staple dish in the east coast states of Peninsular Malaysia such as Kelantan and Terengganu, it is blue-colored rice eaten with a mix of traditional salad, crackers, pickles and fried or grilled protein. In this delightful interpretation, there are rice crackers with local vegetables that are unique to the nasi such as torch ginger, turmeric leaf, winged bean, onion and lemongrass, accompanied by budu sauce. It comes with a choice of smoked wagyu, chicken floss and unagi.
Price starts from RM128. Until Feb 25. Book here.
