It’s almost time for the Fire Horse to gallop in and EQ welcomes the return of Golden Phoenix pop-up restaurant, the hotel’s Chinese heritage restaurant revived each Lunar New Year to honour a culinary legacy spanning more than 5 decades. Once a celebrated icon of the original Hotel Equatorial in the 1970s, Golden Phoenix was renowned for its classic Cantonese and Szechuan flavours and festive specialities. In present times it continues to be one of Kuala Lumpur’s most anticipated seasonal dining experiences.
In 2026, the Golden Phoenix restaurant once again presents a renewed menu that honours traditional techniques while embracing a contemporary touch. Led by Executive Chinese Chef David Yee, the annual Golden Phoenix menus are crafted with precision, artistry and bespoke touches that define each dish.
The menus draw from treasured recipes passed down through generations, highlighting time-honoured preparations such as premium poon choy, double-boiled soups, Hong Kong–style steamed fish, whole traditional roast duck, seafood braises and its much-loved Golden Phoenix rice cake desserts.
Celebratory Menus for the Year of the Horse
Golden Phoenix returns with a full selection of festive menus, ranging from the Peaceful Seasons and Rich Fortune lunch sets to the more elaborate Happy Reunion, Bright Auspicious, Wealth Treasures, Great Prosperity and the Vegetarian Feast.
Highlights include:
• Eight treasures traditional stewed whole chicken with Chinese herbs
• Double-boiled fish bone soup with fish maw, black morels and dried scallops
• Steamed pomfret, tiger grouper or cod prepared in traditional Cantonese and Szechuan styles
• Boston lobster with rice in superior soup and crispy rice
• Braised seafood with longevity noodles and eggplant with ‘topa’ sauce
• Braised sea cucumber with dried oysters, abalone and mushrooms in claypot
• A wide range of yee sang, with options such as Norwegian salmon, Boston lobster, Hokkaido scallops, jellyfish, abalone, prosperity fruits and upgrades such as softshell crabs
• Festive desserts like Golden Phoenix rice cake, snow-skin mandarin orange and hot ginger tea with glutinous rice balls
The menu also features Golden Phoenix’s signature Poon Choy, layered with delicacies such as 10-head abalone, sea cucumber, Japanese dried scallops, tiger prawns, roast duck and vegetables – a centrepiece dish designed for sharing.
Set menus are priced from RM178+ to RM698+ per person (minimum 4 persons), while Yee Sang ranges from RM138+ to RM688+ per portion depending on selection and size.
Premium Poon Choy is available at RM688+ per pot for eight, and traditional roast duck is priced at RM288+ per bird.
Festive Retail Collection
EQ’s Lunar New Year gifting series also returns with a curated collection of hampers, offering an assortment of premium abalone, Chinese tea, nuts, cookies, house-crafted treats, Chinese zodiac surprise box and exclusive EQ ang pow packets. These gift options will be available at the lobby pop-up booth from 27 January to 3 March 2026, alongside other festive treats for gifting or to enjoy at home.
Other Festive Offerings Across EQ
EQ celebrates the season with a line-up of Lunar New Year dining experiences across its outlets.
At Bottega Lounge, guests may enjoy the Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea from 1 February to 3 March 2026, featuring festive-inspired sweet and savoury treats.
Nipah Restaurant marks the occasion with a series of celebratory buffets, beginning with the Lunar New Year Eve Dinner Buffet on 16 February 2026, followed by the Day 1 and Day 2 lunch and dinner buffets on 17 and 18 February 2026. Each showcases a generous spread of Lunar New Year specialities alongside beloved Nipah favourites.
A vibrant lion dance performance will take place at the hotel lobby on 17 February 2026, welcoming guests with blessings of prosperity and good fortune for the Year of the Horse. A second performance will follow on Chap Goh Mei on 3 March 2026.
Reservations & Enquiries
For Golden Phoenix dining reservations and retail purchases, please contact +60 3 2789 7839 or email [email protected].
For Lunar New Year banquet bookings, please contact +60 3 2789 7331 or email [email protected].