A STELLAR CNY FEAST AT YUN HOUSE

 

Hong Kong-born Chef Jimmy Wong beguiles with a stellar array of exquisite specialities, merging cherished traditions with Four Seasons flair to welcome the Snake Year at the Michelin-selected Yun House.

At an exclusive preview hosted by the indefatigable Dato’ Rosemarie Wee (left), Chef Jimmy Wong’s epicurean Lunar New Year delights befittingly took front and centre that day.

 

A simple yet tantalising amuse bouche of Marinated Wood Ear Fungus with Onion, Coriander and Chilli Oil proffered a promising hint of other goodies to come.

 

Yee Sang, one of the most anticipated yearly offerings at Yun House, captivated us from the get-go. Once the concerted lou hei session was dispensed with, we relished the Locally Sourced Mantis Prawns with Lily Bulb Yee Sang with gusto.

 

With natural and specially selected ingredients such as deep-fried salmon skin, fresh lily bulbs, candied walnuts, pickled shallots, crispy strands of fried rice vermicelli and house-made plum sauce among others, the overall consensus was the Yee Sang is second to none. You can even luxe it up further with freshly shaved black truffle before the salad tossing.

IMO, there isn’t adequate superlatives to describe the show-stopping Imperial Fish Maw Broth with Royal Orchid and Sun-dried Scallops. Imagine it took 8 hours alone just to prep the base stock.

Soulfully rich and slightly sticky with a gelatinous finish, the precious soup laden with little yellow orchids, top shell, mini cabbage, fish maw, bamboo pith and goji berries knocked our socks off.

Chopped Sichuan chilli, garlic and spring onion atop Steamed Giant Soon Hock then left a trailblazing impression on our palate. We enjoy how the mildly briny and piquant chilli and garlic accentuated the fish’s natural sweetness. Also included was a disc of soft tofu, augmenting this fish’s delicate texture.

 

Crowned with a seared whole Hokkaido scallop, the fluffy Wok-fried Glutinous Rice studded with chopped mushrooms, dried scallops and roasted peanuts also knocked this speciality out of the park.

The finale was no less dazzling with a sumptuous serving of Bird’s Nest with Coral Seaweed Jelly, Pear and Ginseng taking the limelight. It made a sublime pairing with Deep-fried Rice Cake with Yam and Sweet Potato.

These classical delicacies reimagined with luxurious ingredients and bold touches by Chef Wong and his team are featured in five signature menus priced between RM328 and RM1,288 person (min 4 persons per menu), available from 6 January to 12 February.

Reservations are highly recommended at Yun House. Kindly contact Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03 2382 8602 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com

 

SSSSPECIAL CNY OFFERINGS AT SHANGRI-LA KL

Auspicious Yee Sang primed up with 2-head abalone, Hokkaido scallops, poached lobster, and Scottish smoked salmon will elevate your Chinese New Year celebration. We had first dibs of this fab opening salvo for the 9-course Immense Wealth Set Menu at Shang Palace recently.

 

Hints of kaffir lime leaves emerged as we sampled the luxurious combo of premium ingredients embodying opulence, vitality, joy, and unity.

Warming up the celebratory meal further is Double Boiled Chicken Soup with Chinese Herbs, Fish Maw and Red Dates. Redolent with savoury-sweet marine flavours and subtle aroma of Chinese herbs, the nutritious soup bears testament to the painstaking care put in by Executive Sous Chef Chew Tai Beh (left) and his culinary team.

Abundance is assured when you savour Steamed Soon Hock with Crystal Noodles, Tangerine Peel and Black Bean Sauce. This year, the fish is locally sourced in line with Shangri-La’s environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) efforts.

The notable use of crystal noodles is a masterstroke as the slippery strands absorb the fish’s delicate sweetness nicely. Also noteworthy is the sumptuous sauce nuanced with aged tangerine peel and black beans, dialling up the dish’s overall deliciousness.

Easing the way for fortune and prosperity is a sumptuous platter of Braised 6-head Abalone with Sea Moss and Sun-dried Oysters. Brimming with alluring umami richness, we reckon you’d enjoy the varied textural delights of this classic speciality.
 

Tender with an irresistible mouthfeel, the chicken coupled with the slightly crunchy black fungus in the Simmered Locally Sourced Yellow Chicken in Ginger-infused Sauce with Black Fungus proved to be another stellar offering. We find the punchy sauce superbly addictive, with delicate goji berries' sweetness coming through.

Wine lovers may wish to sample Clarendelle Bordeaux 2017, a ruby-red wine with vibrant fruity aroma and notes of blackcurrant and cherries on the palate. The wine label even features the Shangri-La logo thanks to a collab between the Hotel and Domaine Clarence Dillon. It’s a well-structured wine with smooth tannins, noticeable minerality and a wonderfully long finish.

Sichuan influences are the rage among Chinese chefs currently. This is  reflected in the Sauteed King Prawns and Asparagus in Golden Yam Ring; the burst of zingy-heat when we bit into the prawns is unmistakable.

A generous sprinkling of Sakura Prawns topped the Organic White and Red Rice with Minced Seafood. The crunchy-crisp crustaceans add splendid contrast and depth of flavour to the nutty rice grains mixed with bits of seafood.
 

Concluding the special menu is Sweetened Broth of Snow Fungus with Six Flavoured Glutinous Rice Dumplings. Complementing the dessert broth are delightful Deep-fried Crispy Rice Paper Wrapped Nian Gao with Yam and Sweet Potato, and a piece of Steamed Trehalose (a type of naturally and commercially produced sugar used as sweetener) and Coconut Nian Gao.

Available from 6 January to 12 February 2025, Shang Palace’s Chinese New Year promotion feature special Yee Sang creations (from RM148 nett upwards), classic Chinese delicacies, and festive set menus (from RM228 nett per person), crafted for family, friends, or business celebrations. Also available will be simplified à la carte and Dim Sum menus  from 29 to 31 January 2025.

For dining reservations and inquiries, contact Shang Palace, Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03 2032 2388 or email: enquiries email: dining.kl@shangri-la.com

FEAST OF FORTUNE AT HILTON PETALING JAYA

Book your Lunar New Year feast early at Toh Yuen, Hilton Petaling Jaya and enjoy an early bird offer of 25% off for groups of 10 persons and more. The Early Bird dining offer is valid until 15^th January 2025 so make your reservations soonest possible.

 

Taking centrestage will be Chef Dexter Lai’s signature Yee Sang variations with Abalone, Hokkaido Scallop, and Akemi Tuna Sashimi with Truffle Oil. With 19 years of experience, the chef’s Yee Sang creation hit the spot; the colourful salad stimulating the tastebuds with palate-pleasing balance of invigorating flavours.

Our platter of Yee Sang had scallop sashimi, cashews, candied peel, crispy fried fish skin and jackfruit strips included in the milieu of freshly shredded vegetables and pickles.

A requisite course in most Lunar New Year menu is the thick and smooth Braised Fish Maw Broth with Crab Meat and Dried Scallops. We relished every spoonful of its light viscosity and rich marine savouriness.

 

The subsequent Steamed Chicken with Cordyceps Mushroom Gravy proved winsome as we lapped up the nice, rich herbal-accented gravy alongside the fall-of-the-bone tender chicken pieces. 

 

Although a tinge salty for us, the Steamed Dragon Tiger Garoupa with Chopped Scallion and Garlic flaunted spot-on doneness. We relished the fleshy fish thoroughly thanks to the accompanying aromatics.

Sichuan peppercorn imbued zingy heat to the soya sauce slicked Wok-Fried Tiger Prawns with Sichuan Style Sauce. Chilli and spice fiends should find the crustaceans good for firing up their tastebuds.

We all hope fervently for happiness and all things prosperous as we feasted on the classic Braised Sea Cucumber with Shitake Mushroom and Seasonal Vegetables. The sauce was rich and tasty with fine strands of seamoss in it. 

Fried Glutinous Rice and Dried Oyster wrapped in Lotus Leaves left us replete. Another classic favourite to indulge in before dessert is served.

The finale of Chilled Honey Dew Puree with Pumpkin Konnyaku and Steamed Rice Cake with Grated Coconut and Red Bean Wagashi formed simple yet delightful offerings to conclude the celebratory menu.

Prices for the Golden Set we tried range from RM1,688 nett for 6 persons to RM2,888 nett for 10 persons. 

During the Chinese New Year celebration, Toh Yuen will also serve à la carte Dim Sum menu for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 11 am (11 January - 9 February 2025), and Wednesday to Friday from 8 am to 11 am (29 - 31 January 2025).

For further enquiries or reservations, contact Toh Yuen, Hilton Petaling Jaya at tel: 03 7955 9122, via WhatsApp at +6016 216 0414, or email: PETHI_FB@hilton.com or visit eatdrinkhilton.com.