Chinese New Year is swinging in earlier this year, and boy are we ready to pig out (pun-intended). For those who are familiar with Chinese culture, it should come as no surprise that reunion dinners are of utmost importance. Families and friends fighting over the bill, younglings secretly stowing away red packets while tucking into seasonally prosperous dishes – what’s not to love? Well this year of the rabbit, we’re here to make your lives a wee bit easier by compiling a list of non-halal and pork-free places just in case you’re a last minute cookie and have yet to make plans.
10 Restaurants & Hotels For An Auspicious CNY Reunion Dinner
The list is divided into two parts: restaurants and hotels; because we’re taking varied budgets into account. Both consist of Chinese New Year set menus and annual Yee Sang affairs, so enough faffing about- let’s dive into this lengthy but valuable read.
Restaurants
1. Way Modern Chinois
The words classy and contemporary instantly come to mind when one thinks of this place. At Way, they draw inspiration from Szechuan Province, to the streets of Hong Kong. Comprising mouth-watering Bird’s Nest Soup, 10-head Abalone, Treasure Pot and more, these are the four set menus available here:
- A) Our Way to Happiness Set: RM388 (2 pax)
- B) Our Way To Fortune Set: RM688 (4 pax)
- C) Our Way To Prosperity Set: RM1,188 (6 pax)
- D) Our Way to Longevity Set: RM2,688 (10 pax)
Photos by Way Modern Chinois (IG)
*à la carte festive specials available too*
Reserve here.
Address: G-1, Work @ Clearwater, Changkat Semantan, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-2pm, 6pm-10pm (Daily)
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
2. Oversea Restaurant
Established since the 1970’s, this Cantonese-themed restaurant excels at pleasing true Chinese tastebuds. For the upcoming Chinese New Year, they’re bringing back their signature dishes including HK-style Waxed Meat Claypot Rice, Prosperity Treasure Pot and Yee Sang! These can be ordered à la carte, or go for their set menus instead with Braised Shark’s Fin Soup, Steamed Halibut and more.
CNY Set Menus
- A) From RM898+ for 6 pax
- B) From RM3,388+ for 10 pax
Photos by Oversea Restaurant (IG)
Available from 22 January to 30 February 2023.
Reserve here.
Address: Find your nearest outlet here. Opening hours vary per location.
Status: Non-Halal
3. Unique Seafood PJ23
Not a meat person? No worries, seafood it is! Serving predominantly Cantonese cuisine, this restaurant in PJ boasts a massive aquarium display where you quite literally get to wave hello to what you consume. The live seafood residing in these tanks range from clams to giant fish, so you’re definitely spoilt for choice here. Though it’s a fantastic location as is, they’re also amping up their usual menu with special CNY sets consisting of Prosperity Salmon Fish Yee Sang, Poached Tiger Prawn, Chicken Chop and more!
- A) RM1,388 nett for 10 pax
- B) RM1,688 nett for 10 pax
- C) RM2,288 nett for 10 pax
Photos by Unique Seafood (FB)
Reserve here.
Address: Lot 9B-3, Jalan Kemajuan, Section 13, Petaling Jaya, 46200, Selangor
Opening hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm (Daily)
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
4. Restoran Sek Yuen Jalan Pudu
Gracing the streets of Pudu since 1948 is Sek Yuen, where you’ll discover unconventional Chinese dishes that tease the palate. Serving sumptuous dishes including “Pei Pa” Duck and Cold Jelly Chicken, this neon-lit restaurant impresses most if not all who stop by. For CNY 2023, there are five set menus to choose from at great price points featuring plates like their Signature Duck, Yee Sang and even Braised Pig Knuckle!
- A) CS-1: RM468 (6 pax)
- B) CS-2: RM668 (6 pax)
- C) CS-3: RM838 (10 pax)
- D) CS-4: RM1,228 (10 pax)
- E) CS-5: RM1,559 (10 pax)
Photos by Restoran Sek Yuen Jalan Pudu (FB)
Reserve via +603-92229457 / +6016-4231313.
Address: 313, Jln Pudu, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm (Closed Mon)
Status: Non-Halal
5. The Qing
Finding a pork-free Chinese restaurant that hits the nail on the head with its dishes isn’t a simple feat, but thankfully The Qing still manages to stay true to Chinese cuisine. Located in Chow Kit, this restaurant beckons those who’d like to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in style as every plate served is a “work of art”. This CNY, diners can opt for either one of three sets that include various types of Yee Sang and even Australian live lobster!
- A) Prosperity And Good Fortune: RM1,688
- B) Happiness And Successful: RM1,088 (4-6 pax) or RM1,988 (8-10 pax)
- C) Longevity And Blessing: RM1,628 (4-6 pax) or RM2,888 (8-10 pax)
Photos by The Qing (IG)
Reserve here.
Address: 26, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 11am-10pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-10pm (Sat & Sun)
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
Hotels
6. YEN, W Kuala Lumpur
Set in one of KL’s trendiest hotels. YEN redefines Chinese classics but putting the fine in the fine dining. They’re known for their signature delicate dim sum offerings and sophisticated takes on your average Chinese dishes! For CNY this season, YEN is back with four set menus that consist of either Stewed Money Bag Dumplings, Fresh Hokkaido Scallops or Bird’s Nest Soup with Lobster Meat and more.
- A) Spot of Sunshine: RM238 per pax (min 2 pax)
- B) Prosperous Life Forever: RM328 per pax (min 2 pax)
- C) Wishing You Prosperity: RM368 per pax (min 6 pax)
- D) Double Happiness: RM428 per pax (min 6 pax)
Photos by W Hotel KL (IG)
*Yee Sang package available too*
Reserve here.
Address: Level 11, W, 121, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm (Closed Mon)
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
7. Nook, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral
If set menus are not your cup of tea, here’s a CNY buffet option for you! Nook is where you’ll find authentic Malaysian flavours carved by young talents, right in the heart of Aloft KL Sentral hotel. For Lunar New Year, enjoy a CNY-themed buffet featuring unlimited refills of Peking Roast Duck, Black Pepper Crab, Korean Oysters and a whole lot more. Additionally, don’t hesitate to take full advantage of their DIY Yee Sang counter and let your creativity run wild!
- A) CNY Eve dinner (21 Jan): RM168 nett per pax
- B) CNY lunch (22 Jan): RM148 nett per pax
- C) CNY dinner (22 Jan): RM168 nett per pax
- D) All other dates till 4 Feb: RM148 nett per pax
Photos by Nook (Press Release)
*Children below 12 years old get 50% off*
Reserve here.
Address: Level 1, Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral, Nook, No. 5 Jalan Stesen Sentral, Kuala Lumpur 50470 Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-3pm (Lunch Buffet) & 6pm-10:30pm (Dinner Buffet) | Every Fri-Sat, 21 Jan-4 Feb 2023
Status: Pork-free
8. The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar
Housed in one of MICHELIN Guide’s “Best Hotels In Malaysia”, this fine dining restaurant marries cuisines from north to south of Malaysia. When one thinks of Malaysian gastronomy, they usually visualise messy heaps of food – but The Chow Kit Kitchen & Bar dispels that by refining core essences of this country’s cuisine on a plate. As CNY rolls around, they’ve launched a new 4-course menu with Golden Prosperity Yee Sang, Fine Fortune Scallop, Wok Hei Wagyu or Cod Rice and Lo Han Guo Panna Cotta!
- A) RM250 per pax
- B) RM350 per pax (with wine pairing)
Photos by KL Foodie
Reserve here.
Address: 1012, Jln Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 7am-11pm (Daily)
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
9. Lai Po Heen, Mandarin Oriental
If elegance is what you seek this CNY, then Lai Po Heen might just be the place for your 2023 celebration. Their menu highlights a gorgeous dim sum selection along with Cantonese delicacies, all prepared by skilled chefs in an open kitchen. To amp it up for the annual festivities, there are six types of fancy Yee Sang packages ranging from RM168 to RM1,000 along with four seafood-dominant set menus featuring dishes like South Africa 5-head abalone, Japanese scallops and Prawns in Black Truffle Dressing.
CNY Set Menus
- A) Fortune set menu: RM388 per pax (min 4 pax)
- B) Prosperity set menu: RM528 per pax (min 2 pax)
- C) Wealth set menu: RM728 per pax (min 4 pax)
- D) Seasons Peace set menu: RM988 per pax (min 2 pax)
Photos by Mandarin Oriental (FB)
Reserve here.
Address: Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: 12pm-2.30pm (Mon-Fri), 10.30am-2.30pm (Sat & Sun), Dinner 6pm-10pm
Status: Pork-free, serves alcohol
10. Li-Yen, The Ritz-Carlton
Finally, here’s the cherry on top! Think of it as the Hermès of Chinese restaurants, with its brilliantly crafted dining experience for over two decades. Li-Yen oozes excellence from head to toe, thanks to Chef Au from Hong Kong who strongly embodies his heritage through his cooking. They have curated six celebratory feasts this year, highlighting Steamed Grouper, Pi Pa Qing Yuan Chicken, Iberico Pork and of course, Salmon Yee Sang!
- A) 萬紫千紅: RM168 per pax (min 2 pax)
- B) 百花飘香: RM228 per pax (min 2 pax)
- C) 富貴花開: RM388 per pax (min 2 pax)
- D) 百花齊放慶團圓: RM2,488 (10 pax)
- E) 花香醉人迎新春: RM2,988 (10 pax)
- F) 百花爭艷官賀年: RM5,988 (10 pax)
Photos by Li Yen (IG)
Reserve here.
Address: 168, Jln Imbi, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12.00pm-3.00pm (Mon-Sat), 10.30am-3.00pm (Sunday), 6.30pm-10.00pm (Dinner daily)
Status: Non-Halal
We hope you have a wonderful and prosperous Chinese New Year ahead foodies, Gong Xi Fa Cai!
*Please refer to each restaurant’s website or contact for exact dates available. Some places may be closed on the first and second day of CNY.
Read also 8 Traditions And Customs You Should Know For Chinese New Year 2023
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