Hello there, Chinese New Year! You’re back and we know what happens. We see you on our calendar – food, glorious food! This time, we’re ready for your delightful offerings of Chinese classics and contemporary cuisine.
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We’re eyeing the chilli crab. We’re craving for Teochew steamed fish. We’re ready to toss up some yee sang. To all the halal Chinese restaurants out there in Kuala Lumpur, prepare to deck out some extra tables because we’re coming for you!
1. Lamb Shepherd Restaurant
For those who can handle the heat, Lamb Shepherd is unafraid to show you the true authenticity of Xi’an cuisine. Spicy and flavourful, this Chinese-Muslim restaurant is a good place to satiate your craving for Xi’an delicacies while having both feet resting on Malaysian soil.
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The dumpling soup is highly-recommended at Lamb Shepherd. Since you’re here to indulge in a feast, nudge the wait staff for the restaurant’s spicy salted mushroom, fried chilli prawn, braised eggplant, roast lamb chop, and chilli chicken. Get ready to be blown away by every bite!
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Address: No. 8A, Jalan 4/27F, off Jalan Genting Klang, Desa Setapak, Wangsa Maju, 53300 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 11:30AM-9:30PM
Price: $
2. Haji Sharin Low
For a laid-back dinner this CNY, opt for somewhere cosy and familiar such as the famed Haji Sharin Low restaurant. Serving straight-up Cantonese-style dishes, this Chinese-Muslim restaurant is an all-year favourite for a nourishing lunch and dinner.
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It’s customary for CNY dinners to be enjoyed with family and friends, and a dinner at Haji Sharin Low is a fantastic excuse to reach out to distant relatives and old friends. Their black pepper beef, salted egg fried squid, steamed siakap, butter prawn with milk and sweet and sour chicken will make excellent side dishes to your plate of steamed rice.
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#HHWT Tip: Spot other Haji Sharin Low outlets in Bangsar, Klang, Cyberjaya, Batu Caves and Kajang.
Address: Wisma Chinese Chamber, 258, Jalan Ampang, Kampung Datok Keramat, 55000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 10AM-11PM
Price: $$
3. Dolly Dim Sum
Dolly Dim Sum is so infatuated by the great days of traditional tea houses that they decided to relive the same atmosphere in modern Kuala Lumpur. From floral tiled floors to wooden seats, this restaurant interior is as captivating as their dim sum menu.
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For clean and flavourful dim sum, we recommend going old-school with the classic har gao prawn dumplings, freshly baked egg tarts, vegetarian spring roll, wok-fried kuay teow and steamed siew mai. If you have space on your table for desserts, give the snowskin durian mochi and chilled snow melon dessert a go.
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Credit: @dollydimsum on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Spot other Dolly Dim Sum outlets here.
Address: LG.43, NU Sentral, 201, Jalan Tun Sambathan, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 11AM-10PM
Price: $$
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Note: Although the restaurant is not halal-certified, halal ingredients are used. Do dine at your own discretion.
4. Amber Chinese Muslim Restaurant
Sitting down for a dinner at Amber is the closest thing to experiencing an authentic meal in Northern China. Every plate is a cacophony of fresh spices and bold flavours that are masterfully orchestrated using traditional cooking techniques.
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A CNY dinner at Amber does come with a big price. In return, you and your companions will enjoy a delicious dinner in a high-end atmosphere.
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Warm up your dinner table with a row of appetisers such as Chinese chives pancakes and sesame mochi bun. Then, enjoy their special roasted lamb, braised fish, kung pao chicken and sauteed broccoli with mushroom in between conversations. Before you bid goodbye, let the lotus seed with white fungus soup cool you down.
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#HHWT Tip: Full house? Check out Amber’s second outlet at One Utama.
Address: Unit 14, 7, Jalan Kerinchi, Nexus Bangsar South, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 10.30AM-10.30PM
Price: $$$
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5. Muhibbah Seafood Restaurant
Fresh-tasting seafood on stainless steel dinnerware are the usual sights at Muhibbah Seafood Restaurant. A top recommendation for Chinese-Muslim food (with a twist of Thai) in Kampung Sungai Penchala, the restaurant’s spacious and clean layout makes it ideal to a host a large number of CNY dinners. Table reservation is still necessary to accompany your confidence in securing a table.
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Once you’re comfortably seated, prepare to be served with tom yam soup, deep fried squid, steamed fish with clear Thai sauce, buttered prawns, beef in black pepper and Chinese cabbage in oyster sauce. Once you’ve wiped the plates clean, prepare to be served with compliments on how lovely the dinner was.
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Address: Jalan Seri Penchala, Kampung Sungai Penchala, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 12PM-3PM, 6PM-10PM
Price: $$
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6. Maju Palace
Welcomed by bow-tied seats and clothed tables, Maju Palace’s speciality in modern Chinese cuisine is apparent in every plate. With a dining hall as spacious as theirs, CNY will be an amazing time to share the joy of celebration with your family and friends.
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Since you’ll be arriving with an entourage, give their set menus a go. Depending on your selection, you can savour a taste of braised abalone with dried scallop, deep-fried soft shell crab, king prawn with salted egg, steamed ocean garoupa and more. If you decide to swing by during off-season period, their dim sum lunch is a hit with the regulars.
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Address: Maju Junction Mall, Level 5, 1001, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, 50350 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Open daily; 11AM-3PM, 6PM-11PM
Price: $$$
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Note: Although the restaurant is not halal-certified, it uses halal ingredients. However, alcohol is served. We advise that you dine at your own discretion.
7. Golden Valley Chinese Muslim Restaurant
There’s no arguing that Golden Valley’s selection of Chinese-Muslim cuisine is delightful and enjoyable. Situated in Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, this restaurant chooses to practise vibrance and simplicity in their layout and let its bold flavours to impress you.
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Perfect for sharing, gather around the table and be delighted by the sights of Nyonya-style steamed sea bass, lala in superior broth, marmite chicken, salad prawn, almond chicken, ginger and chicken fried rice and kong po chicken yam basket.
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Address: LGB Tower, Lower Ground Floor, 1, Jalan Wan Kadir, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri; 11:30AM-3PM, 6PM-10PM, Sat-Sun; 6PM-10PM
Price: $$
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8. Mohd Chan Restaurant
Mohd Chan’s primary draw is the home cooked Cantonese-style cuisine that is not only halal-approved, but appetizing as well. Today, the brand stands strong with 15 outlets to its name, which signifies their belief in making Chinese-Muslim cuisine as accessible as possible.
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In the days leading up to CNY, it’s best to pick a Mohd Chan outlet that is convenient to you and your dinner companions. Then, handpick the Cantonese dishes to crowd your table with. Go for classic teochew steamed fish, classic butter sotong, kam heong lala, salted egg chicken and four season vegetable. Right in the middle, save a spot for their famous chilli crab.
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#HHWT Tip: Full house? Check out Mohd Chan Restaurant other outlets here.
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Address: 16, Jalan Tasik Utama 5, Medan Niaga Tasik Damai,Lake Fields, Sungai Besi, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
Price: $$
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9. China Treasures
If there is a way to combine relaxed dining and elegant atmosphere, China Treasures can lead you there. Sime Darby Convention Centre’s gift to the halal dining landscape, this restaurant is best known for their mix of traditional and contemporary Chinese cuisine.
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China Treasures fans are likely to prompt you to try their dim sum buffet during off-season period, but the restaurant can add a refined touch to your CNY dinners. If you’re going ahead with the chef’s specialties, you’ll be served with beef cube with black pepper and peking duck. You’re free to explore other dishes such as butter prawns, steamed garoupa with soy sauce and egg yolk with shimeji mushroom.
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Address: Sime Darby Convention Centre, 1A Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri; 11AM-10PM, Sat-Sun; 12PM-10PM
Price: $$$
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10. Lai Po Heen
Mandarin Oriental’s signature elegance permeates into the interior and atmosphere of Lai Po Heen. A Muslim-friendly Chinese restaurant that is known for their classic Cantonese dishes and incredible dim sum, Lai Po Heen makes a wonderful place to host your CNY dinner in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur.
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The open kitchen concept allows you to view the chefs in their best element as they whip up amazing dishes for you. This year’s CNY marks the return of various festive favourites such as yee sang with abalone, double boiled abalone soup, wok-fried lobster with lime and salted egg paste, stir fried scallops with sweet basil in spicy sauce and more.
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Address: Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri; 12PM-2:30PM, 7PM-10:30PM, Sat-Sun; 10:30AM-2:30PM, 7PM-10:30PM
Price: $$$
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Note: Although the restaurant is not halal-certified, it uses halal ingredients. However, alcohol is served. We advise that you dine at your own discretion.
11. Spring Garden Restaurant
In a capital city that is seasoned with Chinese cuisine, Spring Garden rises as an upscale dining experience for Muslim-friendly Chinese delicacies. The perfect dinner spot after a day of CNY shopping at KLCC, let the award-winning chefs of Spring Garden whip up a meal that suits your craving of the day.
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Highly recommended by the chefs are the hot stone fried beef with celery, traditional style lamb in claypot, pan-fried minced chicken with honey sauce and braised assorted mushrooms with abalone sauce. If you decide to return after your CNY visit, their dim sum selections are a must-try as well. Outside of their KLCC home, Spring Garden restaurant can also be found at Tropicana and Kota Permai Golf & Country Club.
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Address: Lot 413 & 414, Suria KLCC, Persiaran Petronas, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: Mon-Sat; 11:30AM-10:30PM, Sun (and public holidays); 10:30AM-10:30PM
Price: $$
Website
Note: Although the restaurant is not halal-certified, it uses halal ingredients. However, alcohol is served. We advise that you dine at your own discretion.
12. Homst Restaurant
Homst catapulted itself into the Chinese-Muslim dining scene in 2002 and their (almost) two-decade presence proves that their dedication is unshakeable. With a sole mission to serve authentic Chinese cuisine to the Muslim community, Homst is the kind of place where you can feel right at home.
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With variety as their strength, it requires a bit of strategy to fit all of your favourites on a round table. I mean, try to fit Mongolian beef, salted egg yolk prawn, ginger lala, buttered soft shell crab, kangkong belacan, teochew steamed fish, tofu broccoli and Szechuan soup together. It’s a tough one.
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#HHWT Tip: Full house? Visit Homst’s other outlets here.
Address: No. 48, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: Open daily; 10AM-10:30PM
Price: $$
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So here’s the thing: Now that you have read our picks for halal Chinese restaurants, where are you heading for CNY dinner? Do you prefer the little parcels at Dolly Dim Sum, the Northern China specials at Amber Chinese Muslim Restaurant, or the Cantonese cuisine at Haji Sharin Low? Let us know where we’ll spot you this Chinese New Year!