A STABLE OF CNY SPECIALS BY THE ORIENTAL GROUP

A playful yet auspicious centrepiece – a horse head-shaped ceramic pot by Color King – cradling the Takeaway Poon Choi steals the limelight at The Oriental Group’s recent Chinese New Year preview.

 
Priced at RM688 inclusive of the charming keepsake pot, this festive indulgence requires a minimum three-hour pre-order. Lift the lid and you’ll find a layered bounty to level up your family reunion meal.

 
Whole five-head abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw and dried scallops anchor the poon choi with deep umami accents. Dig deeper to uncover delectable chunks of free-range chicken, roast duck, roast pork, prawn balls and squid.

 
Rustic and comforting treasures: dried oysters, fatt choi (black sea moss), lingzhi mushrooms, yam, Chinese cabbage and gluten complete the picture — each ingredient chosen not just for symbolism, but for how it absorbs and enriches the broth. Collectively, the poon choi emerges as a tasty communal dish.

 
No CNY table is complete without loh hei, and diners are spoilt for choice with seven variations of Yee Sang. From Crispy Fish Skin (Medium RM118, Large RM158) and Soft Shell Crab (M RM138, L RM178) to Salmon & Anchovies or Grilled Iberico Pork Neck (both M RM138, L RM178), each version leans into palate-pleasing textures and flavours.

At the preview, a surf-and-turf pairing of soft shell crab and grilled Iberico pork neck stood out. Crisp, succulent and meaty elements intertwined seamlessly, unified by a house-made,  sweet and tangy plum sauce.

In homage to the Year of the Horse, culinary craftsmanship results in Roast Treasure Duck (RM78 half, RM148 whole), deftly carved and creatively reassembled into a galloping steed. Beyond its visual flourish, the duck impresses with crisp, lacquered skin and juicy flesh. A delicate stuffing of lotus seeds and chestnuts adds soft, nutty contrasts to temper the richness.

 
Equally impressive is the ‘Prancing Year of the Horse’ Farm Chicken (RM168 each). Smoked over fragrant pu-er tea leaves, the free-range chicken is tender and aromatic with the muted tea smoke lending a refined bitterness that showcases chef’s restraint and understanding of balance.

 
My personal favourite has to be the stellar Iberico Golden Pork Cheek (RM88 per portion). Pan-fried until meltingly tender, the pork cheek is coated in subtly sweet, glossy chef’s special sauce (industry speak for house-made saucy recipes). Cubes of Californian honeydew provide a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the richness with its natural juicy sweetness.

 
Designed to spark joy around the table, the Abundance Claypot Rice (RM188 for four persons) came crowned with sizeable freshwater prawns, fried garlic mince and spring onions. Each grain of rice exudes enticing prawny sweetness and heady aromatics, making the whole pot of rice irresistibly moreish.

 
Traditionalists will appreciate the Evergreen Blooming Cabbage (RM118), a dish symbolising continuous growth and prosperity. Those tender braised pork tendons, soft beancurd sheets and dried scallops wrapped within tender cabbage leaves are deeply satisfying, elevating a humble vegetable dish into an epicurean delight.

 
The Steamed Nian Nian You Yu Soon Hock (seasonal price) also left a lasting impression with its notable garnishing of chopped Chinese black olives, three types of aged radish and preserved vegetables. 

Mildly salty and umami-laden, edged with subtle hints of aged mandarin peel, the condiments enhance the fish’s natural sweetness — a mark of confident Cantonese cooking.

 
To end on a sweet note, the customary Deep-fried Nian Gao with Yam & Sweet Potato makes its appearance. Crisp on the outside while remaining soft and chewy within, the festive treat carries heartfelt wishes for progress and success, appealing equally to the young and the young at heart.

 
The Oriental Group’s Chinese New Year set menus range from RM1,888 to RM9,888 per table of ten. Smaller families and intimate gatherings can opt for Individual Set Menus priced between RM198 and RM598 per person (minimum two persons). Thoughtfully crafted and rich in symbolism, this is a celebratory feast honouring tradition while showcasing culinary finesse.

For reservations and further information, please contact The Oriental Group of Restaurants through the official website: https://www.orientalrestaurants.com.my/
 
 
 

KAZUMA PROFFERS CHRISTMAS BENTO AND A TOAST TO SHABU SHABU

Pristine Japanese flavours play a central role at Kazuma restaurant this festive season. On 24 and 25 December, celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with an exquisitely composed Christmas Bento (RM115 nett) for lunch or dinner.

 
Set within a multi-compartmentalised lacquer box, diners will be besotted by delicate morsels in vibrant colours; rendering well-balanced, palate-pleasing flavours.

 
Fresh, melt-in-your-mouth succulence of the Sashimi Trio of Hamachi, Salmon, and Maguro serves as the opening volley. Take your time to appreciate the precise cut of each slice before savouring the different fish’s refined nuances.

 
Punching above its weight is Kuruma Ebi Fry – a plump, sweet tiger prawn sheathed in golden and airy-light batter. Biting into that feather-weight panko coating then segueing to the crustacean’s inherent sweetness is an unforgettable sensorial experience. TBH, the speciality is delicious on its own but the accompanying sauce takes it to another tantalising dimension.
 

We love how the chef boldly infuses a whisper of bird’s eye chilli heat into his Spicy Unagi Tempura Roll. That unexpected jolt of fiery accent emanating from the lightly battered roll of smoky grilled eel cements it as a definitive trail-blazer.

 
The Grilled Snapper adheres to true-blue Japanese simplicity, giving you a choice of having the mild and flaky fish glossed over with teriyaki sauce or uplifted with the savouriness of shioyaki (salt), allowing the fish’s natural sweetness to shine.

 
Comforting and moreish, the chunks of Tori Nanban – juicy fried chicken topped with creamy Japanese tartar rounds off the curated selection for Kazuma Christmas Bento nicely.

Special Shabu Shabu Set for New Year’s Eve & 

New Year Day

 

As the year winds down and new beginnings approach, warm your spirits with a hearty, soul-comforting Japanese Shabu Shabu (RM150 nett per person) for lunch or dinner on 31 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.

 
Start with Zensai, a delicate pairing of fresh oyster and unagi sumono. The dual appetiser teases the tastebuds with their ethereally light and bright, appetising flavours.

 
By contrast, the Tuna Melon Sashimi proves to be quite the show-stealer thanks to the delightful match of slightly seared tuna and juicy melon. We couldn’t get enough of the savoury-sweet flavour pairing.

 
Warm and soothing Ikura Chawanmushi offers comfort in a cup. Who could resist spooning up silky steamed egg custard elevated with glistening pearls of salmon roe bursting with briny richness?

 
The crisp outer coating of batter yielding to tender, juicy prawn ensures the classic Ebi Tempura scores on the appeal scale. It’s the perfect precursor to the main star of Shabu-Shabu Nabe.

 
Swirl the slices of premium Australian sirloin in a flavourful kombu-based broth brimming with assorted fresh vegetables: leek, Napa cabbage, onion, carrot, celery, mizuna and enoki in a rustic claypot. Hearty and celebratory, it’s the perfect dish for bidding farewell to the existing year whilst welcoming the upcoming new year.

 
Whether you’re gathering with family or catching up with friends, Kazuma Christmas Bento and Celebratory Shabu Shabu will undoubtedly evoke warm happiness and abundant joy through the timeless charm of Japanese culinary traditions.

For more information and reservations, call Kazuma restaurant, tel: 03 -2149 2666 or WhatsApp: 012 399 4792.

MONTHLY BBQ DINNER BUFFET at MÖVENPICK HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTRE KLIA

 

Flame-licked marinated meats and seafood take centrestage at the monthly BBQ dinner buffet at Temasya Restaurant, Mövenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA.

 
The BBQ station, exuding scents of spice and smoke, draws guests looking to satisfy their carnivorous cravings whilst chefs fire up the grill until the chosen items emerge charred and irresistible.

Beef fillet, lamb chops, tiger prawns and chicken wings arrive flame-kissed, their smoky edges promising utter satisfaction. On our visit, the standout Portuguese-inspired seafood medley: prawns, fish and squid sang with a punchy dried shrimp sambal. It’s bold and bright on the palate, leaving a lingering heat.

Middle Eastern notes surfaced at the shawarma station, where pillowy flatbreads swaddled chicken carved straight from the rotisserie. Chopped tomatoes, onions and lettuce lent textural interest whilst sluiced with tahini and garlic sauce, we got a wrap that balanced fire, freshness and creaminess in every bite.

 
At the Malay station, chicken rendang and cockle curry elevated plates of nasi lemak, while the Indian vegetarian corner beckoned with fragrant biryani, aromatic yellow dhal and okra masala. 

Carving-station comforts of smoked beef brisket in black pepper sauce, roast chicken, and three types of pizza including a spicy anchovy one proved hard to resist.

 
The Chinese corner, too, pulled its weight: a crowd-pleasing deep-fried seabass glossed with sweet-spicy Thai chili sauce, wok-tossed vegetables and comforting egg noodles kept diners circling back. Seafood lovers found ample succour from poached slipper lobsters, clams, mussels and tiger prawns, displayed like jewels on crushed ice.

Dessert delivered its siren call at the finale. Freshly made apam balik—warm, nutty and laced with cream of sweet corn—competed with dainty cakes, local kuih and tropical fruit to ensure a sweet finish.

 
The Temasya BBQ Dinner Buffet is held on the last Saturday of the month (25 October and 29 November 2025), from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. Priced at RM158+ per adult and RM78+ per child, senior citizens are entitled to a 30% discount.

 
Temasya’s BBQ Dinner Buffet doesn’t just feed you—it takes you on a global ramble of flavours, with fire and spice leading the way.

For more information, please call Temasya, Mövenpick Hotel & Convention Centre KLIA, tel:03-8661 8661 ext. 8669.