Chinese New Year 2016 Menu @ Lai Ching Yuen Chinese Restaurant, Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur

Despite of having numerous visits to Grand Millennium KL for dine and stay (Check out my hotel review: HERE), this is my first time stepping into the prestigious Lai Ching Yuen Chinese Restaurant (荔晶園) for a festive spread of authentic Cantonese cuisine.

The restaurant features a posh common dining area and 8 private rooms that exude a nostalgic feeling of being in old Shanghai, making it suitable for this festive celebration. Helmed by Chinese Executive Chef Terrence Foong Kuan Oon, the experienced team in Lai Ching Yuen has whipped up 5 different festive 9-course set menus priced from RM1,268.00 per table of ten. 

Yee Sang with Jelly Fish and Crispy Fish Skin

丰收年年齐捞生 (海蜇脆鱼皮齐捞生)

Our reunion dinner begins with the prosperity toss featuring crisp salmon skin and crunchy jellyfish which add a pleasant biting texture to the colorful platter. Other varieties are available for dine-in and take-away here, such as Vegetarian, Norwegian Salmon and Crispy Fish Skin, Soft Shell Crab and Norwegian Salmon, Sliced Abalone as well as Scallop, Pear and Mango Yee Sang.

Assorted Seafood Soup with Tofu

喜气洋洋 (海鲜豆腐羹)

Buttered Prawns

嘻哈大笑 (奶油虾)

Moving to the next dishes, we have something closer to home. The thick seafood broth is well-loaded with soft beancurd, mushroom and asparagus, warming the stomach before we dig into the fresh pan-fried prawns which is very rich in buttery goodness.

Steamed Mandarin Fish with Minced Ginger

如意吉祥 (姜茸蒸桂花鱼)

For the steamed fish, I am impressed that the freshwater fish is so well-executed that it retains its fresh tenderness without being rubbery. I especially like the finely chopped ginger that does not taste overly spicy for my liking. 

Cantonese Style Roasted Crispy Duck

心想事成 (港式挂炉烧鸭)

The star of the evening is the juicy bird with crisp outer perfection and fluffy tender meat on the inside. The texture is well-balanced with a thin melty layer of fats in between. Each piece tastes so good that the dish is wiped out within minutes! 

Deep Fried Enoki Mushroom with Hong Kong Kai Lan

福贵荣华 (炸金针菇扒港芥兰)

Another personal favourite is the crunchy kailan paired with crisp mushroom that give a delicious twist of textures. Moreover, the mushroom is well-seasoned, lending flavourful taste on the palate that leaves us craving for me. 

Fried Rice with Assorted Chinese Waxed Meat wrapped in Lotus Leaf

一帆风顺 (腊味芋粒荷叶饭)

Wrapped in lotus leaf, the fried rice is generously filled with yam cubes and bite-sized waxed meat which reminds me of the traditional Hakka yam rice. Simple yet satisfying! If it is meat that you fancy, the CNY special ala carte items such as Deep Fried or Braised Pork Knuckle and Claypot Waxed Meat Rice are also available here.

New Year "Nian Gao" in Dual Variation

步步高升 (煎，炸年糕)

For desserts, I appreciate the Chef's homemade sticky rice cake which is lighter in texture and less sweet. One is pan-fried with egg, leaving it slightly crisp outside and remains pasty inside. Whereas the other is layered with yam and sweet potato to give a nicer biting pleasure. Both are soul-comforting, reminding me the taste from home. 

Double-boiled Chrysanthemum with Longan and Black Sesame Rice Dumpling

团团圆圆 (龙眼菊花汤圆)

Besides, Chinese New Year Buffet is offered at The Mill, the hotel's all-day dining restaurant. Bookings for a table of 8 and above will receive a complimentary auspicious Yee Sang.

Chinese New Year Buffet (Now till 23 February 2016)

Lunch: RM98 (Adult), RM48 (Child)

Dinner: RM118 (Adult), RM58 (Child)

Saturday Seafood Buffet: RM160 (Adult), RM80 (Child)

For a traditional Cantonese gastronomical experience amidst the cosy and posh ambiance, Lai Ching Yuen is one of the best non-Halal options in town.

Lai Ching Yuen
First Floor
Grand Millennium Hotel,
160 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
55100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2117 4180
Email: lcy@grandmillenniumkl.com
Website: www.grandmillenniumkl.com
Facebook: fb.com/grandmillenniumkl

Business Hours:
Lunch:
Monday to Friday: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday: 11:00am - 2:30pm
Dinner:
6:30pm - 10:30pm daily