Chinese New Year is quickly approaching, with 2023’s Year of the Rabbit set to fall on the 22nd of January. Alongside yee sang, new clothes and gift seeking, an essential tradition during Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner, where extended families would gather to reconnect. Though it’s common to have home-cooked food during reunion dinners, these days it’s more about spending time with family without the hassle. So if you’re looking to treat your family to a memorable reunion dinner this year, here are some top hotels to check out.
The RuMa Hotel and Residences
With the appointment of Mandy Goh as Executive Chef for ATAS, The RuMa is offering a luxurious reunion dinner this CNY. Aptly named Cultural Heritage, the menu pays homage to regional ingredients like mud crab alongside local flavours like Asam pedas risotto. But guests will also get to savour a balance of Asian and European dishes like the Guinea Fowl main with kiam chai (sour vegetables, a popular dish in Chinese culture).
Browse the menu here and book here.
Cultural Heritage Menu: RM450 per person
EQ Kuala Lumpur
As an ode to the famous Chinese restaurant established in 1974, EQ is hosting a Golden Phoenix pop-up experience for its guests this CNY. From now till 5 February, savour classic and well-loved creations from the eatery, with a modern twist of luxurious ingredients. From premium abalone to blue river prawn and the signature Golden Phoenix seafood fried noodles, read our full review of the Happy Reunion set to know more.
Browse the menu here and WhatsApp 012-278 9239 to book.
Rich Fortune Set: RM188+ per person (min 4 persons) | Available for lunch only
Great Prosperity Set: RM238+ per person (min 4 persons)
Happy Reunion Set: RM328+ per person (min 4 persons)
Wealth Treasures Set: RM468+ per person (min 4 persons)
Prosperity Set: RM688+ per person (min 4 persons)
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
Those who prefer having a wide array of options can look to Shangri-La’s CNY menu, featuring six sets inclusive of vegetarian selections. With classics like double-boiled chicken soup, braised abalone, fried nian gao and red bean soup, you can also opt to order these dishes individually from the ala carte menu. A special poon choi dish is also available, with options fit for 3, 6 and 10 persons.
Browse the menu here and WhatsApp 019-390 2257 or call 03-2074 3900 to book.
Vegetarian 8-Course Set Menu: RM248 nett per person (Min order for 4 persons)
Vegetarian 9-Course Set Menu: RM268 nett per person (Min order for 4 persons)
Great Prosperity 8-Course Set Menu: RM288 nett per person (Min order for 2 persons)
Rich Fortune 8-Course Set Menu: RM388 nett per person (Min order for 4 persons)
Happy Reunion 9-Course Set Menu: RM588 nett per person (Min order for 6 persons)
Wealth Treasures 9-Course Set Menu: RM888 nett per person (Min order for 10 persons)
The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
This festive season, St. Regis is offering signature set menus curated by Chef De Cuisine Cheong Boon Fei. Alongside the chef are also some of the owning family’s treasured recipes, like braised bird’s nest soup, chicken with bamboo pith and egg white, and more. This special menu is available for lunch and dinner and can be enjoyed in the hotel’s private dining rooms, which allow groups of as small as four guests. St. Regis will also be offering a CNY afternoon tea and a CNY Sunday brunch for those looking to indulge on Day 1.
Call or WhatsApp 012-280 1303 to book.
CNY Set Menu (2 Jan-5 Feb):
Set A with Abalone & Crispy Soft Shell Crab Yee Sang – RM648 nett per person
Set B with Prawn & Jelly Fish Yee Sang – RM448 nett per person
Set C with Salmon & Jelly Fish Yee Sang – RM448 nett per person
Set D with Vegetarian Yee Sang – RM408 nett per person
CNY Afternoon Tea (2 Jan-5 Feb | 12pm-4pm, 4.30pm-8.30pm): RM168 nett per person, RM298 nett per person with a glass of Delamotte
CNY Sunday Brunch (22 Jan, 29 Jan & 5 Feb | 12pm-3pm): RM388 nett per person with food only, RM498 nett per person with free-flow sparkling wine, red and white wine, and cocktails.
W Hotel Kuala Lumpur
This year, W Hotel’s Yen is offering four reunion set menus curated by Chef Tan Kim Weng. Each menu includes a plethora of Chinese classics like poon choy, chicken soup, scallops, grouper fish and more. There will also be a special dim sum menu, alongside dessert and additional alcoholic beverages that come with an extra fee.
Browse the menu here and book here.
Spot of Sunshine set menu: RM238 per person (Minimum 2 persons) for food only.
Prosperous Life Forever set menu: RM328 per Person (Minimum 2 persons) for food only.
Wishing You Prosperity set menu: RM368 per Person (Minimum 6 persons) for food only.
Double Happiness set menu: RM428 per Person (Minimum 6 persons) for food only.
Note: A full payment is required on CNY Eve to secure your booking.
The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel
The Reunion Feast by The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar is a four-course menu that highlights local flavours using the freshest ingredients. Starting off with the Golden Prosperity Yee Sang, it’s made with local vegetables like pegaga, ulam raja and sengkuang alongside red dragon fruit and smoked salmon. The menu is followed with succulent Hokkaido scallops with kerisik rendang sauce and an option between fragrant Wok Hei Wagyu or Cod Rice. The first option uses a juicy 150gm Wagyu Fillet while the latter features pan-seared Pacific White Cod. Finishing off on a sweet note, the Panna Cotta and Lucky Longan is a rich and creamy pudding with caramelised longan syrup.
Browse the menu here and visit The Chow Kit or contact 03-2778 6688 to book
The Reunion Feast Menu (now-5 Feb): RM250++ per person, RM350++ per person with Vins D’alsace Horcher wine pairing.
Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur
Mandarin Oriental’s Lai Po Heen is offering four unique set menus for reunion dinner this coming Chinese New Year. Each set consists of a different type of yee sang, alongside dishes of chicken, soup, duck, seafood and vegetables. Some menus, like the Prosperity and Seasons Place, use premium ingredients like black truffle and foie gras respectively.
Call 03-2330 8798 to book.
Fortune Set Menu: RM388+ per person
Prosperity Set Menu: RM528+ per person
Wealth Set Menu: RM728+ per person
Seasons Peace Set Menu: RM988+ per person
Pavilion Hotel Kuala Lumpur
Pavilion Hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant Jade Pavilion is offering a plethora of elevated pork-free Chinese dishes this year. Featuring two distinctive menus, each one highlights its own yee sang combination with salmon or soft shell crab. The Prosperity Set Menu is a nine-course dinner with highlight dishes of Double Boiled 10 Head Abalone with Agaricus Blazei Mushroom and Fish Maw Soup, Slow Oven Roasted Duck with Fragrant Scallion and Sesame-Hoisin Sauce and Boiled Papaya with Peach Resin and Red Dates. The Fortune Set is an eight-course meal with Fresh wild-caught Soon Hock and Slow Cooked Glutinous Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf with Alaskan Scallops. Jade Pavilion also offers an extensive selection of private rooms that can host small families of four to large gatherings of up to 20 guests.
Browse the menu here and WhatsApp 017-206 8805 or call 03-2117 2823 to book.
The Prosperity Set Menu: RM268 nett per person
The Fortune Set: RM328 nett per person
Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur
Fret not if your family has a big appetite, as Quan’s Kitchen will be offering a hearty Chinese New Year buffet. From 9 Jan to 20 Jan, enjoy the buffet dinner for RM108 only on weekdays while a weekend dinner will be held on 14 Jan and lunch on 15 Jan, priced at RM138. The spread includes ingredients like abalone, fried fish, glutinous rice, stewed vegetables and more, all of which can be indulged during reunion dinner and on the first and second day of CNY.
Browse the menu here and book here.
CNY buffet (21 Jan-23 Jan | 12.30pm-3pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm): RM158 per person.
Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel
Select from Yue’s four varying menus this Chinese New Year, with choices from seven-course to nine-course. Start out with a seafood poon choy, highlighting abalone, prawns, scallops and complementing vegetables like broccoli and black fungus. Then, savour a silky steamed grouper, fried chicken and tiger prawns along with a sweet tang yuan dessert and koi fish jelly.
Book here.
Auspicious Lunar (9-Course Set Menu): RM2388nett per table of 10 persons
The Imperial Prosperity (9-Course Set Menu): RM3288nett per table of 10 persons
Osmanthus Blossom (7-Course Set Menu): RM268nett per person (with a min. of 2 orders)
Crystal Jade (7-Course Set Menu): RM338nett per person (with a min. of 2 orders)
Ala Carte: Cantonese dishes starting from RM18nett
Element by Westin Kuala Lumpur
Book an intimate family reunion dinner at Element, selecting from two crafted set menus for Chinese New Year. Made to serve 10 guests, a minimum booking of three tables is required in order to enjoy the menu. From warm chicken soup with dried scallops to a hearty pot featuring abalone and prawns alongside fried rice, the private dining experience will be held till 5 February 2023.
Call 03-2771 3351 to book.
Auspicious Set Menu: RM2088+ per table of 10 guests
Prosperity Set Menu: RM2388+ per table of 10 guests
InterContinental Kuala Lumpur
From now till 4 February 2023, InterContinental Kuala Lumpur is hosting buffet dinners every Saturday at Serena Brasserie, featuring iconic Chinese offerings. Indulge in Braised Fish Maw & Seafood Soup, Cha Soba Noodles, Eight Treasures Claypot, Wok Fried Sea Prawn in Superior Sauce, Chili Crab, Peking Duck with Lotus Bun and more. If you’re thinking of grabbing a bite on Chinese New Year’s day itself, book a spot for the Sunday long lunch menu, where you’ll get to savour the Szechuan Peppercorn & Flower Mushroom Beef Wellington.
Book here.
Lunar New Year Buffet Dinner (Every Sat | Now-4 Feb | 6.30pm-10.30pm): RM188+ per adult, RM94+ per child
Lunar New Year Long Lunch (Every Sun | Now-5 Feb | 12.30pm-4pm): RM198+ per adult, RM99+ per child, Add on RM120 for free flow house wine, beer, soft drinks, chilled juices for 2 hours.
Hilton Kuala Lumpur
Another buffet option this Chinese New Year is at Vasco, Hilton Kuala Lumpur, where guests can indulge in signature dishes like Peking Duck and Steamed Treasures Chicken with Fatt Choy Abalone Sauce. Seafood salads with ingredients like Spiced Loligo Squid and Japanese Octopus are also available, along with fresh sashimi and mussels on ice.
Book here.
Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner Buffet (21 Jan | 6.30pm-10.30pm): RM228 nett per adult, RM118 nett per child (5yrs to 11yrs) | Add on: RM160 nett for free flow house wine, bottled beer, soft drink and chilled juice for 2 hours, RM 10 nett per glass for Iced Lychee Tea, Iced Apple Asam Boi and Iced Bandung.
Featured image by W Hotel Kuala Lumpur.