by Anishametra Saravanan 

In less than two weeks, we will be celebrating and welcoming the Year of the Rabbit. In the spirit of new beginnings and ushering in prosperity, here’s a list (in no particular order) of the best restaurants to enjoy a reunion dinner with your family, friends, and colleagues. Toss those vibrant and flavourful yusheng as high as you can and have a huat-derful CNY 2023! 

Established in 2003, Noble House serves the finest Cantonese gourmet and has the reputation of being one of the top fine dining Chinese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Part of the Oriental Group of Restaurants, this impressive restaurant is well known for its specialties such as double-boiled shark’s fin with wanton in old cucumber, braised Australian whole abalone with oyster sauce, smoked farm chicken, charcoal grilled pork ribs Spain style, pan seared foie gras with fragrant garlic rice, scrambled egg with milk and lobster meat served in lettuce and yin yang pomfret.   

Address: No.19, Jalan Delima, Off Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur  

For more than 20 years, Li Yen, which means “beautiful garden”, has been gracefully presenting diners with masterfully crafted Chinese cuisine. This CNY, enjoy their celebratory feasts fit for a king with their six Lunar New Year set menus featuring The Reunion Stars – a collection of reunion star dishes that emphasises the beauty of tradition, along with a traditional Poon Choi which serves as the perfect table centrepiece.  

*Bookings are opened from 8th January to 5th February 2023. Advance reservations are required. For reservations, please call +6018 646 8033.  

Address: Level 2, The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur 

Grand Straits View Garden Seafood Restaurant is a banquet-style classy dining venue that’s one of the most popular in JB, well known for its wide variety of seafood, with over 100 choices of delectable seafood dishes you can choose from. Their different types of dining rooms and halls can accommodate up to 1000 people and you may choose to have your dinner intimately in private VIP rooms, in a cozy garden or indoor dining. 

Address: No.3, Jalan Persiaran Danga, Kawasan Danga Bay, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor 

Source: @crafixed 

Think of quality, think of Penang’s Putien, the Michelin One-Star restaurant located inside Gurney Paragon. Inspired by the modest spirit of Putian – the beautiful coastal suburb in Fujian, the brand aims to carry and incorporate its essence into their food as well as their service. Thus, you could fully enjoy your time with your loved ones in the welcoming ambience brought to you by one of the top Chinese restaurants in Penang. 

Address: Lot 163-D-6, 16, 17 & 18, Gurney Paragon Mall, Gurney Drive, 10250 Pulau Pinang 

Source: @ander.sher 

If you’re looking for the perfect place to welcome the Lunar New Year with classic Shanghainese cuisine, we’ve got just the place for you. For more than 2 decades now, JW Marriott’s Shanghai Restaurant has been celebrated for its Chinese fine dining scene. Led by Shanghainese native Executive Chef Wong Wing Yeuk, you can expect the Shanghai’s finest selection of Yee Sang, specially curated sets and à la carte menus for your reunion dinner feast.  

*Bookings are opened from 8th January to 5th February 2023. Advance reservations are required. For reservations, please WhatsApp or call +6018 591 8537.  

Address: Level 1, JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur, 183 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur 

Nothing beats bonding with your friends and family over a hearty steamboat meal. This year, take your CNY hotpot party to new heights at The Tavern Hotpot, a restaurant in Damansara Utama that provides fun dining experiences in VIP private rooms that come equipped with karaoke systems. Eat, drink, sing, and be merry in complete privacy here. Rumour has it, they even provide complimentary Taiwanese shaved ice dessert to cool you down after your meal. 

Address: 62, Jalan SS 21/62, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya 

CNY is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with friends and family. What better way to share your precious time together than at The Majestic Family Reunion at the hotel’s ballroom on the 21st January 2023. Celebrate the dawn of new beginnings and usher in the New Year with an evening of culinary indulgence with spectacular home-style classic Lunar New Year dishes and international dishes along with a traditional lion dance performance.  

*Advanced reservations are highly recommended. For reservations or to place a delivery order, please Whatsapp/call +60 14 647 1060 or email [email protected] 

Address: 5 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50000 Kuala Lumpur 

Source: @ander.sher 

If you’re looking to plan a sophisticated CNY meal, this option may tickle your fancy. Ruyi & Lyn is a modern Chinese restaurant that serves up beautifully-plated Chinese cuisine with a dialed-up wow factor. The perfect example would be their popular sushi platter that doesn’t come with the usual salmon or unagi sushi. Instead, it consists of Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, and mango sticky rice-flavoured sushi instead. The restaurant also offers an outdoor terrace, private Karaoke dining rooms, as well as private dining rooms for those who prefer a more intimate dining experience. 

Address: 4th Floor Bangsar Shopping Center, No. 285, Jalan Maarof, Wilayah Persekutuan, 59000 Kuala Lumpur 

Source: The Singapore Women’s Weekly 

For a festive feast that nods to Singapore’s heritage, celebrity chef Damian D’Silva’s Rempapa is where you will have to make your dinner reservation. For this year’s celebratory menus, he’s handed the reins to his team of young culinary talents. From head chef Alan Chan, there’s Steamed Red Grouper with Silk Steamed Egg (seasonal price) as well as Braised Pork Knuckle with Fa Choi & Dried Oysters, a Hokkien classic inspired by his grandmother.  

Address: 2 Paya Lebar Rd, #01-01/02/03 Park Place Residences at PLQ, Singapore 409053  

Best known for their traditional Cantonese dining with an inventive touch by executive chef Ricky Leung, Hai Tien Lo has a series of eight festive menus that shine the spotlight on Chicken Wings stuffed with Bird’s Nest, Fresh Crab Meat, Dried Scallops and Truffle as well as Double-boiled Fish Maw with Bamboo Pith and Dried Scallops in Fish Bone Broth and more. Its luxurious Superior Treasure Pot pen cai which serves up to six, has a total of 15 ingredients, from eight-head whole abalone to lobster, dried oysters, succulent pork knuckle, scallops, roast duck, and Yunnan golden ear mushroom in a rich broth. 

Address: Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Blvd, Singapore 039595 

Sources:

The Oriental Group

The Singapore Women’s Weekly

Klook

Hype Malaysia

Penang Foodie

The Smart Local