A MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL REUNION AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL KL

Paying homage to the timeless tradition of family gatherings and children playing with glowing lanterns during Mid-Autumn Festival, Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s Dim Sum Chef Ng Meng Loong steps up to proffer time-honoured mooncakes  with novel and classic flavour combinations.

Celebrate the joyful occasion with chef’s new creation of Bird’s Nest, Dragon Fruit and Pecan Nuts Snow Skin Mooncake (RM69). Infused with an intriguing combo of mint, dragon fruit and orchid, the delicate snow skin mooncake boasts a beguiling filling of lotus seed paste, red dates and bird’s nest finished with the satisfying crunch of pecans. It's a contemporary, cohesive combo of creamy, nutty textures exuding floral and gently fruity accents.

 
Durian devotees will enjoy the Musang King Durian Paste Mooncake (RM89); its unmistakably creamy richness puts Malaysia’s much-loved Musang King at the front and centre.

More nuanced choices such as Black Sesame Lotus Seed Paste with Almond (RM59) draws you in with deep, earthy black sesame nuttiness alongside White Lotus Seed Paste with Palm Sugar, Macadamia Nuts and Seaweed (RM59), a familiar classic bearing an unexpected twist.

Traditionalists can find comfort in the classic selection of Pandan Lotus Seed Paste with Single Egg Yolk and Melon Seeds (RM47), Red Bean Paste with Almond Flakes (RM47) and Eight-Nut Treasure (RM49) for their Mid-Autumn celebration.

The exquisitely crafted mooncakes make superb gifts, nestled in an elegant, jewellery-inspired gift box in auspicious red. Ideal for personal and corporate gifting or familial reunion, Four Seasons Hotel KL’s mooncake selection is bound to make an excellent first impression.

 
Receive 15% savings for orders placed before August 20 and 10% savings for purchases of 20 boxes or more.
 

NEW DIM SUM CREATIONS

 
Chef Ng has also introduced new dim sum creations at Yun House recently. Delicate seafood and savoury richness come together in the Mantis Prawn Dumpling with Morel Mushroom.

More oceanic sweetness surfaces in the Farmed Prawn and Flounder Fish Dumpling with Chicken, Crab Roe and Fish Roe.

 
Wrapped in chewy deep-fried mochi-like skin, the chef’s Deep-fried Sea Cucumber Dumpling with Beetroot, Fish Tendon and Lobster Broth delight us with its playful approach as we squirt the lobster broth into the dumpling prior to eating.

Zingy mustard sauce or a dash of Worchestershire sauce perks up the Crispy Beancurd Skin Roll with Prawns and Chives, enhancing the distinct textural and flavourful combination.

Be prepared to be swept away by the lush accents emanating from the Signature Crab Roe Xiao Long Bao with Chicken, Spring Onion and Ginger. Red vinegar dials up the appeal of the soup-filled dumpling.

Supple softness subsuming to crisp crunchiness makes the Steamed Red Brown Rice Rolls with Crispy Prawns and Coriander a praiseworthy offering.

Even the humble Wok-fried Carrot Cake gets a luxurious makeover with prawns, sun-dried scallops and dried shrimps joining the jumble of egg, preserved radish and dough fritters in signature spicy scallop sauce.

 
Part heritage and part imagination, Chef Ng Meng Loong’s dim sum creations is worth gathering together to enjoy.

 
For the Mid-Autumn Fest mooncake orders, contact Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2382 8602 or email: yunhouse.kualalumpur@fourseasons.com.

  

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/