CNY Eats

My first yee sang of the year was with business associates. In fact, it was their call to have lunch at Spring Garden, even though it was packed, and there was a wait of ten tables before us. I'm not a big one for ques and crowds and would have looked for an alternative venue if they had not insisted. Whatever the case, it seemed that most of the restaurants on that floor of Suria KLCC were packed with diners who were either in a festive mood, or feteing clients.

The salmon yee sang was good for the first yee sang of the year. A half portion cost RM62.80.

Salmon yee sang.

My guests were very sure about what they wanted, and we had a glut of dim sum items, all of which came from the Chinese New Year selections. The har kao featured big, plump shrimp in a fine, rice flour wrapped parcel.

Steamed prawn dumplings, or har kao, RM10.30.

The barbecued chicken buns were a bit stodgy. RM8.30.

The chicken dumplings with black moss was just an excuse at cashing in on lunar new year prosperity fever. For one, this black algae does nothing to make the dumpling taste better. And for another, if it did add flavour, a lot more of it would be required.

Chicken, shrimp and (smidgen of moss) dumpling, RM9.30.

The humble chicken feet were done much better, in a rick, thick gravy which was sweet and sticky, reminiscent of the old way of braising the often discarded chicken parts.

Because chicken feet are more abundant than moss, this dish (only) cost us RM7.30.

We also had a beancurd roll which so-so (RM8.30), glutinous rice in lotus leaf (RM8.30), and salad prawns. I found the batter a little too hard for this particular dish, although the size and freshness of the prawns were top notch.

Salad prawns are called so because mayonnaise is the  dipping sauce for the dish. RM10.30.

Since it was Chinese New Year and largesse must abound, I also ordered a braised ee fu noodle with seafood. This was really good, with good bite to the noodles, and seafood which was still firm, and plump and tender in the right degrees. RM28 made this my favourite dish because it was so satisfying.

The meal would have come out a lot cheaper if we stuck to noodles!

The braised seafood and beancurd in a claypot was also notable for the soft, wobbly tofu and the good seafood, but perhaps we overdid it a bit with the seafood!

Tofu and seafood in claypot, RM38.

Vegetables are the biggest rip-off when eating out. This was no difference, with the plate of kai lan costing RM20. It was really crisp and green, but because I know a bunch costs RM2 and my husband can mimic the style perfectly, it really rankles.

RM20 veggies.

Along with Pu Er tea for four (RM16), stewed groundnuts (RM5) and four wet towels (RM4), the meal for four came up to RM273.65. Generally the food was good, and well-prepared. Service was efficient, despite the crowd, and the layout made it still comfortable to have a business discussion even with so many diners.

Spring Garden
Lot 413 & 414, 4th floor
Suria KLCC
City Centre 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2166 9881