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/
 
 
 

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

STRIDES OF ABUNDANCE AT HILTON KUALA LUMPUR

Thoughtfully curated set menus at Chynna, Hilton Kuala Lumpur are galloping out of the gate for the upcoming Year of the Horse, setting a frisky pace for the auspicious celebrations ahead.

Ensuring the Chinese New Year gets off to a spirited gallop, Hilton Kuala Lumpur’s Executive Chinese Chef Lam Hock Hin trots out a line-up of festive specialities skilfully blending time-honoured Chinese flavours with subtle Western flourishes.

 
Front and centre is a show-stealing, noble horse-shaped Prosperity Yee Sang, created to rein in abundance and good fortune. Intricately assembled with freshly shredded vegetables, pickles, seeds and nuts, it is crowned with standout options such as Grilled Salmon Sauce (RM168 half portion, RM318 whole). The inventive inclusion of grilled salmon, salmon oil, and white and purple cabbage gives this auspicious toss finesse and flair; proof Chef Lam is no one-trick pony.

 
Bringing more horsepower to the experience is a stable of winsome choices, ranging from Salted Egg Fish Skin with Soft Shell Crab (RM178 half, RM328 whole), Abalone (RM308) or Tasmanian Ocean Trout (RM158 half, RM308 whole) to the more unique Spicy Sea Bird’s Nest with Crispy Rice and Aged Vinegar Dressing (RM158 half, RM308 whole).

 
We sampled the Fortune Set (RM1,888 nett per table of five) which opened at a confident canter with Traditional Tasmanian Ocean Trout Yee Sang. A vibrant, refreshing curtain-raiser to stir up promising prospects ahead.

 
Breaking from the usual Chinese banquet soup repertoire, Chef Lam enticed us with Western-inspired Cauliflower Soup with Seafood, Crushed Peppers and Vegetarian Fins. Its creamy, delicate nuances heralded a welcome change of pace.

 
The Shunde-Style Steamed Tiger Grouper was an undisputed show-stopper. Smooth, naturally sweet and cooked to on-point doneness, the fish was matched sublimely with tau foo yue (Redbelly Yellowtail Fusilier) puffs. Those spongy-soft morsels were excellent at soaking up every last drop of the fish jus.

Adding crunch and contrast, the Fragrantly Spiced Crispy Chicken with Golden Crunchy Rice Crumbs boasted extra furlong with its clever use of puffed rice, giving the spice-rubbed chicken extra textural interest.

The Mixed Salad with Coconut Dressing, Salted Egg Fish Skin and Crispy Soft Shell Prawns also held its ground. Hats off to the chef for emphasising more fresh greens as vegetables often play second fiddle in Chinese New Year menus.

Keeping health and balance firmly in the saddle is Braised Wild Abalone Cubes, Fish Maw, Monkey Head Mushroom and Garden Greens. A subtly refined and notably lighter on the palate dish.

 
By this point, the meal had gathered enough momentum that the Yam Rice with Salted Egg, Dried Shrimp and Mushrooms found itself competing for tummy space, Still, it’s a testament to the generous and satisfying progression of dishes.

No festive feast is complete without a sweet finish. Bowls of Sea Coconut, Malva Nut and Longan Sweet Soup, paired with Traditional Nian Gao stuffed with Yam Custard and coated in Ground Nuts and Sesame Seeds, brought the celebration home, leaving diners highly satisfied at the finish line.

 
Other set menus at Chynna include the Prosperity Set (RM1,588 nett per table of five), Wealth Set (RM2,588 nett per table of five), and the Grand Fortune Set (RM799 nett per person, minimum three persons per table).

 
Adding to the festive atmosphere are a series of cultural highlights worth trotting out for: God of Prosperity appearances (3–18 February), a live Guzheng performance (16 February), Chinese calligraphy sessions (18 February), Tea Master welcome pouring demonstrations (16–18 February), as well as acrobatics and traditional lion dance performances.

Auspicious rewards await guests between 15 January and 3 March 2026. For every RM200 spent in a single receipt, get a chance to draw a red envelope. Each is filled with exclusive prizes, from RM100 dining vouchers and complimentary Yee Sang to staycation packages at Hilton Kuala Lumpur and a 3D2N getaway at KROMO Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton.

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