EQ is bringing back its heritage Golden Phoenix pop-up restaurant for the 2026 Lunar New Year season, continuing a culinary tradition that dates back more than five decades to the original Hotel Equatorial in the 1970s.

The seasonal Cantonese and Szechuan dining experience, which has become one of Kuala Lumpur’s most anticipated festive offerings, will feature traditional dishes and celebratory menus crafted by Executive Chinese Chef David Yee.

Golden Phoenix originally gained renown for its mastery of classic Cantonese and Szechuan flavours during its heyday at the Hotel Equatorial. The annual revival honours that legacy while incorporating contemporary touches, with menus drawn from recipes passed down through generations.

Signature preparations include premium poon choy, double-boiled soups, Hong Kong-style steamed fish, whole traditional roast duck, premium seafood braises and the restaurant’s celebrated Golden Phoenix rice cake desserts.

For the Year of the Horse, Golden Phoenix is presenting multiple festive menus ranging from lunch sets to elaborate multi-course dinners. The selection includes the Peaceful Seasons and Rich Fortune lunch options, alongside more comprehensive offerings such as Happy Reunion, Bright Auspicious, Wealth Treasures, Great Prosperity and a Vegetarian Feast.

Notable dishes across the menus feature eight treasures traditional stewed whole chicken with Chinese herbs, double-boiled fish bone soup with fish maw and dried scallops, steamed pomfret or tiger grouper prepared in traditional styles, and Boston lobster with rice in superior soup. The restaurant is also offering an extensive range of yee sang with options including Norwegian salmon, Boston lobster, Hokkaido scallops and abalone.

The signature Poon Choy, a centrepiece designed for sharing, is layered with delicacies including ten-head abalone, sea cucumber, Japanese dried scallops, tiger prawns and roast duck.

Set menus are priced from RM178 to RM698 per person with a minimum of four diners, while Yee Sang ranges from RM138 to RM688 depending on selection and size. Premium Poon Choy is available at RM688 per pot for six people, and traditional roast duck is priced at RM288 per bird.

Beyond the Golden Phoenix pop-up, EQ is offering separate Lunar New Year banquet menus designed for corporate gatherings and larger reunions, with pricing starting from RM3,288 per table of ten.

The hotel’s EQ Beyond service extends the festive experience to private venues, bringing signature Lunar New Year cuisine and service to clients’ own locations.

EQ is marking the season across multiple outlets. Bottega Lounge will host a Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea from 1 February to 3 March 2026, while Nipah Restaurant will feature celebratory buffets beginning with a Lunar New Year Eve dinner on 16 February, followed by lunch and dinner buffets on 17 and 18 February.

Traditional lion dance performances are scheduled for the hotel lobby on 17 February and again on Chap Goh Mei on 3 March 2026.

A retail collection of festive hampers, featuring premium abalone, Chinese tea, treats and exclusive ang pow packets, will be available at a lobby pop-up booth from 27 January to 3 March 2026.

Reservations for Golden Phoenix can be made by calling +60 3 2789 7839 or emailing dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com. Banquet bookings are handled through +60 3 2789 7331 or catering@kul.equatorial.com.

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Visual credits: EQ and the author’s own