CHINESE eating places are serving up their finest dishes as households and enterprise companions proceed to rejoice the lunar new 12 months.
Whereas there are various shops in Kuala Lumpur to select from, just a few eating places similar to Lai Ching Yuen in Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur declare to retain the normal flavours.
These on the lookout for genuine Cantonese delicacies can contemplate one of many three set menus curated by its govt chef Thye Yoon Kong.
The menus, every for 10 individuals, are priced at RM1,888++ (Lively and Vigorous), RM2,888 (Peace Season) and RM3,888++ (Smiles of Fortune).
As is customary in Malaysia, Chinese language New Yr meals will begin with the tossing of yee sang for good luck and prosperity.
For these selecting the Peace Season menu, the meal begins with a serving of Yee Sang with Sliced Norwegian Salmon and Crispy Fish Pores and skin.
This will likely be adopted by the sunshine, flavourful Doubled-Boiled Rooster Soup with Dry Scallop, Sea Cucumber and the Agaricus blazei mushroom.
Thye including the particular soy sauce as a last contact to the Fried Inexperienced-Eye Grouper with Scorching Oil in Wave Fashion.
We discovered the collagen-rich soup comforting and it warmed up the palate for the subsequent dish, the garlicky Wok-fried Slipper Lobster in “Bei Fong Tong” Fashion.
The lobster flesh, lower into bite-sized items, deep-fried and seasoned with the correct quantity of spices and seasoning will enchantment to native tastebuds. It isn’t too spicy and has a pleasant crunch.
Fried Inexperienced-Eye Grouper with Scorching Oil in Wave Fashion seems to have been steamed however as an alternative of immersing the fish in oil, Thye mentioned sizzling oil and water have been alternately poured over the fish to cook dinner it.
This methodology ensures that the fish doesn’t dry out, he mentioned.
“As soon as the fish is cooked, a particular mixture of soy sauce is added to flavour it,” he revealed.
Even for those who’re not a fan of roast duck, the Hong Kong Roasted Duck might win you over because it’s not gamey however tender and moist.
Thye mentioned the geese have been sourced from a sustainable farm in Ipoh, Perak, and fed with a particular eating regimen of grains.
“In consequence, the meat is extra tender and succulent, and our secret marinade brings out the flavour,” he mentioned.
Historically, a minimum of one Chinese language New Yr dish could have oyster and seaweed, which symbolise prosperity.
Crispy Yam Nian Gao (left) and heat Sweetened Purple Bean Soup with Glutinous Rice Ball.
We had the Braised Dried Oyster with Sea Moss, Dried Scallop, Shredded Mushroom and Backyard Greens.
Usually, a inexperienced vegetable is included, however Thye opted to make use of Chinese language cabbage as an alternative.
His revolutionary touches have been additionally seen in one other conventional dish.
Usually, Chinese language Wax Meat Rice wrapped in Lotus Leaf is cooked in a claypot, however Lai Ching Yuen’s model is cooked whereas wrapped in a lotus leaf that imparts extra perfume to the rice.
For dessert, there’s Crispy Yam Nian Gao and heat Sweetened Purple Bean Soup with Glutinous Rice Ball.
Thye mentioned the Nian Gao was extremely popular amongst patrons.
“Though it’s a dish usually served throughout Chinese language New Yr, we’ve got all of it 12 months spherical attributable to demand.
“What units our Nian Gao other than others is that we manually grind the flour used to coat the rice cake, which provides it higher flavour and dietary worth in comparison with commercially offered flour,” he mentioned.
The Chinese language New Yr set menus can be found till Feb 5.
LAI CHING YUEN, Degree 1, No.160, Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2117 4180. Electronic mail: lcy@millenniumhotels.com. Non-halal. Enterprise hours: midday to 10pm (Tuesday to Friday), 11am to 10pm (Saturday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.
That is the author’s private commentary and never an endorsement by StarMetro.
