Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant @ One World Hotel – Chinese New Year Menu 2012!

Happy New Year 2012!!

So I’m done with turkeys, gingerbread man and stollens.

And here I am, starting the year feasting (what else eh? :p) on MORE food!

This year, I thought Chinese New Year is rather uncomfortably close to Christmas (less than a month really), and while my Christmas goodies at home remained unwrapped, I’m already propelled forward on the yee sang tossing rounds!

One World Hotel ushers in the Year of the Dragon with their repertoire of auspicious Yee Sang (a total of 3 types), delicate festive dim sum (special creations for Jan – Feb 2012) and innovative CNY set menus, with prices ranging from 988++, 1188++ and 1388++.

Set A – RM988++ .

Set B – RM1188++ .

Set C – RM1388++ .

Even before I had time to read the menu, the waitress came waltzing in with the Yee Sang, a Zuan Yuan’s version that came garnished with Polo Clam and Shredded Sweet Turnip in Truffle Oil .

Yes, TRUFFLE OIL. As we stood up with chopsticks in hand, ready to toss up a fine mess, the scent of luxurious truffle oil assailed our nosetrils and perfumed the air.

Something different yes?
Well, personally it didn’t come as a big surprise to me. Being an ardent follower on food trends, I foresee further innovative twists to tradition as time passed by.
Chefs are seeking a balance between the old and the new, in hopes of creating new dishes that triggers nostalgia, yet at the same time still able to provoke the jaded tastebuds in today’s discerning diners.

I for one, don’t mind a bit of surprise in my culinary adventures daily.

钻 苑

Zuan Yuan Prosperity Chinese New Year Menu

23 January – 12 February 2012

From RM988++ per table of 8-10

Available for lunch and dinner

松露油北极贝捞生

Yee Sang with Polo Clam and Shredded Sweet Turnip in Truffle Oil

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棉兰酱蒸红斑

Steamed Red Grouper with ‘Medan’ Sauce

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万寿果奶油虾

Wok-Fried Butter Tiger Prawn with Papaya and Milk

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菜脯椒仔贵妃鸡

Poached Village Chicken with Pickled Radish and Chilli

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蚝士发菜报平安

Stewed Mixed Vegetable in Bean Curd Parcel with Dried Oyster and Sea Moss

***

Since we were a big group, Chef kindly added the Steamed Glutinous Rice with waxed Sausages, Duck And Mushroom in Lotus Leaf to our lunch.

I’ll never say ‘No‘ to waxed sausages! This was fragrant and delicious as expected.

Yee Sang came in 4 forms at Zuan Yuan this 2012, served with seaweed and assorted fresh fruits, salmon and sweet turnip, salmon with sweet turnip in truffle oil; and sliced abalone with snow pear.

Yee Sang with Seaweed & Assorted Fresh Fruits    RM55++ (half portion)       RM110++ (full portion)

Yee Sang with Salmon & Shredded Sweet Turnip    RM70++ (half portion)       RM140++ (full portion)

Yee Sang with Salmon & Shredded Sweet Turnip

In Truffle Oil                                                                             RM85++ (half portion)       RM170++ (full portion)

Yee Sang with Sliced Abalone & Snow Pear                RM90++ (half portion)       RM180++ (full portion)

If I had to choose my favourite dish out of the 8 above, it would be the Stewed Mixed Vegetable in Bean Curd Parcel with Dried Oyster and Sea Moss. The mish-mash of ingredients, all cooked sealed within a parcel resulted in a complex blend of tasty and wholesome flavours. Digging out vegetables, dried chinese oysters, gingko nuts, carrots, assorted mushrooms and sea moss added to the fun of eating from this “treasure bag“.

Another dish I enjoyed was the Wok-Fried Butter Tiger Prawn with Papaya and Milk. The creamy, sweet papaya sauce was a  hit and we concurred that it was a nicer alternative from the usual rich and cloying sauce such as salted egg & buttermilk.

Zuan Yuan is famed for it’s yearly Home-Made Deep-Fried ‘Nian Gao’ with Pumpkin and Salted Egg Yolk that complements its CNY set menus every year. Unfortunately at the time of tasting, no “nian gao” was available as yet.

Darn, looks like I got to hop in again for a taste of this exquisite creation. Nian Gao with pumpkin and salted egg yolk? I can’t wait to bite into one!! 

As a consolation, we got Zuan Yuan’s Durian Platter, of which I have blogged about HERE. It was as good as I remembered,  especially so for the durian ice -cream.

The 3 reunion set menus are available from 14th – 22nd January 2012. For corporations looking into hosting their annual dinners for their internal staff or even for their clients’ appreciation dinners, check out the Set A to Set C menus above.

Note: Zuan Yuan remains open on the eve of Lunar New Year and throughout the fifteen days of the Lunar New Year.

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My previous reviews on Zuan Yuan Restaurant @ One World Hotel: 

1. Chinese New Year 2011 at Zuan Yuan – Loved the Braised Diced Sea Treasure, Dried Oyster and Sea Moss in Golden Bag – (post HERE).
2. Ginseng Panna Cotta (this was incredibly good!) & a mid week lunch at Zuan Yuan. Check it out HERE.
3. Zuan Yuan’s annual dumpling are irreproachable as well – Read about it HERE.

Zuan Yuan keeps its cuisine fresh by having monthly themed menus. I sampled the TeoChew and The Shanghai menus recently.
1. November 2011 –  A teochew date with Zuan Yuan Restaurant
2. June 2011 – Flavours-of-Shanghai at Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant

Zuan Yuan Chinese Restaurant @

Business hours:
Mon to Fri:
Lunch 12.00 noon to 2.30 pm
Dinner 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm

Sat, Sun and Public Holidays:
Lunch 11.00 am to 2.30 pm
Dinner 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm

For reservations or enquiries, please call (603) 7681 1159.

I personally haven’t sampled dim sum at Zuan Yuan. Perhaps the Festive Lunar Dim Sum, only available from 23 January – 12 February 2012 is worth a visit? Then I can order the Home-Made Deep-Fried ‘Nian Gao’ with Pumpkin and Salted Egg Yolk at the same time! 

All pictures taken with: