GOLDEN PHOENIX RISES FOR THE HORSE YEAR AT EQ

 

Saddle up with EQ Executive Chinese Chef David Yee’s festive set menus this Chinese New Year, marking the return of Golden Phoenix pop-up for the Year of the Horse.

 
Riding on a classical approach emphasizing familiarity and rich symbolisms, the chef seasons his stable of celebratory recipes with subtle Szechuan accents. Cantonese banquet hits such as Poon Choy, roast duck, premium braised seafood and rice cake desserts ensure broad appeal whilst some specialities provoke the tastebuds with judicious use of spices.

 
From the modest Peaceful Seasons and Rich Fortune lunches to the more indulgent Happy Reunion, Bright Auspicious, Wealth Treasures, Great Prosperity and a dedicated Vegetarian Feast, the set menus offer ample flexibility. At the media preview, the Bright Auspicious set made a persuasive case for the culinary team’s strengths.

Our opener of Ten Head Abalone Yee Sang was suitably grand, with QQ abalone lending luxe gravitas to the rainbow hued salad. The milieu of textures and flavours was agreeable enough, just managing to refrain from the cloying sweetness threshold.

A wholesome Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Sea Coconut and Fish Maw followed; its restorative, salubrious goodness hitting the spot nicely.

 
Leaning into the New Year’s symbolism of abundance, the Steamed Tiger Grouper with Cordycep Flowers, Black Fungus and White Fungus won instant approval. The fish flesh softly yielding whilst the worthy accompaniments amped up textural contrasts.

In a nod to old-school tradition, Stewed Whole Chicken with Chinese Herbs and Yu Tiao was the poultry offering of choice. This should find favour with those young-at-heart although my personal preference veers towards roasted fare.

 
Assertive fragrant, punchy accents from the Wok-fried Tiger Prawns with Kam Heong Paste and Cashew Nuts elicited convivial response, making this dish a crowd-pleaser.

 
We reckon the slippery succulence, custard softness and gelatinous resistance of the Braised Fish Maw with Conch Slices, Pipa Tofu, Mushrooms and Sea Moss is a palate-pleaser to bridge the familial generation gap.

You won’t leave the table unsatisfied after loading up on the hearty portions of Steamed Glutinous Rice with Dried Oysters wrapped in lotus leaves.

Adhering to tradition, chewy Golden Phoenix Rice Cakes with Snow Skin Mandarin Orange to sweeten the year ahead. Paired with Chilled Peach Dessert Broth with White Fungus and Red Dates, these dessert treats closed proceedings on an appropriately soothing note.

 
EQ Golden Phoenix’s set menus are priced from RM178+ to RM698+ per person (minimum four diners per table). Yee Sang ranges from RM138+ to RM688+ per serving, depending on ingredients and portion size. Premium Poon Choy is RM688+ (enough for six persons) and a whole roast duck at RM288+.

 
From 27 January to 3 March 2026, head over to EQ’s lobby pop-up booth to shop for festive hampers filled with premium abalone, Chinese teas and house-crafted treats; ideal gifts to get the Year of the Horse off to a galloping start.

 
For Golden Phoenix dining reservations and retail purchases, please contact EQ, tel: 03-2789 7839 or email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com
 

‘TIS THE SEASON OF FEASTS AT EQ

 

Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in true gourmet style as EQ Kuala Lumpur rolls out a dazzling line-up of festive dining, gifting, and celebration experiences.

 
The festivities begin with a Thanksgiving BBQ Brunch (RM168 per adult) at Étoile on 30 November 2025. Hearty roasts and other tempting goodies set the tone for a deliciously indulgent session.

Christmas spirit comes alive with a splendid Christmas Eve BBQ Dinner (RM168 per adult) whilst Festive Meat and Seafood Platters (from RM138 upwards) take the limelight on Christmas Day. Sizzling grilled delights and ocean-fresh bounty prepared for convivial feasting with family and friends.

Over at Nipah, the holiday spread highlights a daily Festive Buffet Lunch (RM168 per adult, RM84 per child aged 6–12) and Weekend Buffet Dinner (RM188 per adult, RM94 per child) throughout December. Perennial specialities such as Roast Wagyu Bone Beef Shank, Roast Tom Turkey, Whole Poached Salmon, Lobster Pasta, Cold Cuts and Terrines among others evoke the joy of year-end holidays and cordial reunions.

 
On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, lavish buffets brimming with roasts, local favourites, and international specialties beckon. Priced at RM288 per adult, RM144 per child for the Christmas Eve Dinner, and RM228 per adult, RM114 per child for the Christmas Day Lunch.

Festive themed sweets and savouries decking Bottega Lounge’s Dolce Vita Afternoon Tea (from RM99 per person) are made merrier with an optional add-on of two glasses of Bottega Prosecco or cocktails (RM108 per set).

 
Japanese fine dining enthusiasts can look forward to relishing Kampachi’s sumptuous Five-Course Christmas Eve Omakase Dinner (RM588 per person) featuring premium seasonal ingredients. More extravagance can be savoured at the Christmas Day Brunch Buffet (RM288 per adult, RM98 per child). Notable morsels may include Datemaki Sweet Roll Omelette, Kazunoko Herring Roe, Nissin Kumbumaki (Dried Herring Rolled in Kelp), and Hokkaido Scallop Wasabi Sauce and Ikura. 

 
Ascend to culinary heights at Sabayon, where the Christmas Eve Five-Course Dinner promises a truly refined experience. Choose from window seats (RM888 per person), main dining hall (RM788 per person) or private dining (RM688 per person), and elevate the evening with champagne from the bubbly trolley (from RM888 per bottle).

 
The magic continues with Chalet Christmas Day Lunch (RM308 per adult, RM154 per child) and a Christmas Day Five-Course Dinner (RM688 per person for window seats, RM588 for regular seats). 

 
For at-home celebrations, EQ’s gourmet holiday roasts are the ultimate showstoppers. Hosts with the most can select from grand centerpieces of Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing (RM128/kg) and Christmas Goose (RM158/kg) to Beef Wellington (RM568/kg), Bone-in Australian Wagyu (RM188/kg), Baked Lamb Leg (RM118/kg) and Lobster Mayonnaise (RM438 for 700g) for their office or home parties.

 
In addition, a sparkling collection of beautifully wrapped hampers, artisanal biscuits, and luscious cakes from the Lobby Christmas Shop will dial up the holiday cheer.

 
For order & enquiries, WhatsApp: 012-583 5319 or email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com | Download the Holiday Spirit catalogue from the EQ Hotel website for full festive menus and details.