GALLOP INTO PROSPERITY AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KUALA LUMPUR

 

As the Year of the Horse saunters in, Yun House once again lays out tables to remind us why good Chinese food is as much about feeling as it is about flavour. Executive Chinese Chef Jimmy Wong’s festive line-up hits all the right notes, from customary Yee Sang to a splendid Crispy Roasted London Duck and thoughtfully composed Chinese New Year set menus.

 
From 15 January to 3 March, Yun House is an elegant place to gather family and old friends to toss for prosperity. Chef Jimmy Wong’s famed Yee Sang (from RM188+ per person) is always a crowd-pleaser, but the Smoked Salmon & Black Truffle version feels especially indulgent this year.

 
Pistachios, pine nuts, mini sesame-flecked biscuits and crispy noodles bring plenty of crunch, while thick slices of smoked salmon and freshly shaved black truffle turn the celebratory salad into something luxurious. We daresay it might just be the most indulgent Yee Sang in town.

 
Our meal opens with a refined Four Seasons Combination Platter that sets a stellar pace. The Crispy Roasted London Duck with Herbal Essence is everything you want it to be: succulent meat and crisp skin, with a bright, gently tangy plum sauce tying it all together.

Alongside it, the Crispy Beancurd Roll with Shrimp Paste is delicately light, though we secretly wish for a touch more of that spicy scallop sauce to really let it sing.

 
Then comes Chef Wong’s Premium Abalone Soup with Matsutake Mushroom in Fish Broth. Deeply savoury yet exuding that ubiquitous clear sweetness synonymous with Cantonese cuisine, the delicious soup includes goji berries and bamboo pith for both nourishment and texture.

 
Cleverly elevated by fried preserved vegetables for additional aroma and flavourful depth, the Steamed Grouper Fillet is a winsome highlight. Dried shrimps and luffa melon contribute layers of texture, making each bite more interesting than the last.

 
By the time the Braised Rice Vermicelli with Crab Meat, Ginger and Spring Onion arrives, we couldn’t resist slurping up the sublime dish. This satisfying penultimate course has fine vermicelli soaking up the crab’s natural sweetness and fragrant aromatics beautifully.

Translucent, bead-like nostoc pearls bestows a touch of novelty to the dessert of Butternut Pumpkin Purée with Nostoc Pearls. Rich in proteins (phycobilliproteins), amino acids, and minerals, and known for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties in Asian medicine, those tiny gelatinous pearls complement the broth’s creamy sweetness well.

 
Comforting and much cherished Deep-fried Rice Cake with Sweet Potato and Yam heralds a most appropriate ending to a festive Chinese meal at Yun House.

 For reservations, please call Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8888 or email: diningreservations.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com

MEANINGFUL FEAST, CELEBRATING MOMENTS TOGETHER AT HILTON KL

Ramadan is marked not just by abundance, but by intention at Hilton Kuala Lumpur. Jamuan Penuh Makna, Raikan Detik Bersama is a thoughtfully curated dining experience weaving together memories, flavours and a sense of togetherness.

Rooted in Malaysia’s rich culinary heritage and enlivened with contemporary flair, the experience also reflects the Hotel’s efforts at sustainability. Keropok Citarasa Laut exemplifies that initiative as a crisp, golden cracker created from repurposed seafood shells. Carefully cleaned, roasted and ground into a fragrant powder, the shells are blended with tapioca flour, coriander, oyster sauce and white pepper, then steamed, sliced and lightly fried to achieve a delicate crunch. An inventive speciality turning what would otherwise be waste into something deeply satisfying.

 
Vasco’s will unveil a flavour-forward breaking of fast buffet throughout the Ramadan month. Familiar favourites are refreshed with modern touches: Chicken Rendang with Wild Fern Leaves, Golden Snapper Otak-Otak paired with Passion Fruit Salad, Urap Daging Pekasam, Short Ribs with Coconut Floss and Strawberry Sambal, and Lamb Meatballs in Rendang Hijau. Each dish a balance of comfort and surprise.

The carving stations are surefire culinary magnets with a whole Roast Venison Rempah Panggang, Halal-certified Australian Lamb scented with Moroccan Chermoula, and Smoked Paprika Beef Shank. Ayam Percik glazed with Tualang honey, Lamb Kabsa with smoked dum biryani and Lamb Chapli Kebab round out the generous meaty spread.

Seafood lovers can expect responsibly sourced an Oceanic Bounty on Ice, Seared Seabass and Flower Crabs Masak Lemak Nenas among others.

 
Live cooking stations proffer numerous drawcards. Among them will include Golden Snapper Fish Head Curry, Beef Rendang Tok, Grilled Scallops slicked with ginger, garlic and chilli, Australian Wagyu Bolognese, Angus Murtabak, Lamb Gear Box Soup and, for a touch of indulgence, Royale Caesar Salad with Reef Lobster Meat.

 
Linger over dessert afterwards with tempting servings of Jackfruit Financiers, Assorted Baklava, Om Ali and Kunafa. A windfall of durian centric creations in the form of Durian Éclairs, Crêpes and sumptuous Serawa Pulut Durian Musang King will keep thorny fruit enthusiasts happy.

 
Available from 19 February to 19 March 2026, the Vasco’s Ramadan buffet (6.30pm to 10.30pm) is priced at RM238 nett per adult and RM119 nett per child (aged 6–12).

 
An early bird offer is available for bookings made between 22 January and 18 February (applicable for up to 10 guests and not valid for dine-in from 2–17 March).

For reservations, contact Vasco’s, Hilton Kuala Lumpur at tel: 03-2264 2264, email: HiltonKualaLumpur_FB@hilton.com, or book via SevenRooms.
 

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