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
 

THE SEASON TO SAVOUR HILTON KUALA LUMPUR

 

Sumptuous festive dining experiences beckon at Vasco’s, Chynna, Iketeru, Graze, and Oro, Hilton Kuala Lumpur throughout November and December.

Stepping up to the spotlight is Vasco’s Christmas Day Lunch, an abundant spread of international and local favourites crafted to bring families and friends together.

 
Executive Sous Chef Mohd Ridzwan Mohamed Rasit reveals this year the major highlights will include roasted whole venison (sourced from Sg Lembing) and honey glazed roasted jumbo chicken (weighing in at 2.8kg), smoked glaze BBQ short ribs and lamb legs among others.

He also recommends distinct dishes of beef rolled with chicken liver and strawberry sambal, lamb osso bucco with rosemary garlic sauce, grilled salmon wrapped in daun kaduk (wild pepper leaves), and royale Caesar salad with reef lobster meat to tempt the tastebuds.

A luxurious display of poached lobsters, snow crabs, oysters, snails, prawns and mussels will reel in seafood lovers. Cooked seafood options such as steamed crabs with garlic, smoked shrimp and mussel platter, seafood paella and grilled oyster pineapple salsa compete for attention and tummy space.

Oven-fresh pizza with a myriad of toppings are definite crowd-pleasers as are cook-to-order pasta, assorted sushi and sashimi alongside spice-fragrant Goan prawn and kadai subji curries.

 
No celebratory buffet is complete without sweet treats. Leading the charge is a chocolate station decked with Pahang-grown chocolate, passionfruit and raspberry studded chocolate, and handcrafted pralines.

 
Choice dessert we love include plum pudding, mince pies, Mont Blanc churros, matcha and mint chocolate pops, cherry mousse cake, raspberry cupcakes and chocolate royal cake.

 
Vasco’s – All-Day Dining

• Festive International Buffet Lunch (Weekdays, Nov–Dec 12pm-2.30pm) RM158 nett per adult, RM78 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Lunch (Weekends, Nov–Dec 12pm – 3pm) RM188 nett per adult, RM88 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Dinner (Weekdays, Nov–Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM198 nett per adult, RM98 nett per child

• Festive International Seafood Dinner (Weekends, Nov–Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM238 nett per adult, RM118 nett per child

• Christmas Eve Dinner (24 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM318 nett per adult, RM148 nett per child

• Christmas Day Lunch (25 Dec 12.30pm – 3pm) RM298 nett per adult, RM138 nett per child

• Christmas Day Dinner (25 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM288 nett per adult, RM138 nett per child

• New Year’s Day Lunch (1 Jan 12.30pm – 3pm) RM198 nett per adult, RM98 nett per child

• New Year’s Eve Dinner (31 Dec 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM318 nett per adult, RM148 nett per child

Festive Goodies Takeaway (1 Nov–31 Dec)

• Jumbo Chicken with Honey Orange Glaze, Beef Op Rib, Salmon Wellington, Lamb Shoulder, Platinum & Gold Sweet Boxes 

Graze – Italian Dining

• Festive Degustazione Menu (1 Nov–31 Dec, Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) From RM298 nett per person

• Highlights include Beef Short Rib Ravioli, Seabass Fillet or Angus Beef Tenderloin, Classic Tiramisu

Chynna – Modern Cantonese Cuisine

• Festive Set Menu (1–31 Dec, Lunch 12pm – 2.30pm | Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM238 nett per person

• Highlights: Signature Shredded London Duck with Rainbow Salad, Lei Cha Monk Jump Over the Wall, Musang King Crème Brûlée

Iketeru – Japanese Dining

• Chef Taka’s Festive Omakase (1–31 Dec, Dinner 6.30pm – 10.30pm) RM650 nett per person

• Highlights: Monkfish Liver with Red Seabream, King Crab Chawanmushi, A5 Wagyu with Red Wine Miso Sauce

Oro Café & The Lounge

• Festive High Tea Set (1 Nov–31 Dec, 1pm – 5pm) RM288 nett for two

• Highlights: Marble Chicken with Pistachio Almond Dust, Beet Salmon Gravlax, Freshly Baked Scones, Christmas Pastries, Traditional Fruitcake

For reservations or info, contact Hilton Kuala Lumpur  https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rates/