Every year, like clockwork, the hotel revives the Golden Phoenix during Lunar New Year — a pop-up dining restaurant that has always been an icon, a signature of EQ. The culinary legacy that the Golden Phoenix has stretches back five decades to the original Hotel Equatorial in the 1970s. It was the “it” spot then, and remarkably, it has held onto that crown for fifty years.

Walking in, one can really feel that specific blend of Cantonese and Szechuan aromas that have made this the most anticipated reservation of the season. But what makes 2026 feel particularly special? It’s the sheer level of care and detail poured into the menu.

Led by Executive Chinese Chef David Yee, the team has spent around a whole year perfecting this season’s offerings. When a chef spends a year on a single menu, you know you’re in for a showcase of utmost precision. It’s a beautiful tightrope walk: on one hand, you have the meticulous detail of modern luxury dining; on the other, you have the soul of recipes passed down through generations.

The result is a dining experience that feels both refreshingly new and comfortingly nostalgic. It offers a taste of the past, served with the polished flair of the present.

The 2026 Golden Phoenix Menu Highlights

So, for the Year of the Horse, what exactly can we anticipate for the menu? We at The Grid Asia had the lovely opportunity to preview some of these offerings, and let’s just say, you’ll want to make sure your calendar is clear for this one.

The variety on offer is impressive, ranging from the lighter Peaceful Seasons and Rich Fortune lunch sets to the grander, more elaborate feasts like Happy Reunion, Wealth Treasures, and Great Prosperity. There’s even a thoughtfully curated Vegetarian Feast, ensuring no one is left out of the celebration, no matter their dietary restrictions. Each menu is a deep dive into those Cantonese and Szechuan roots, balancing symbolic meanings with vibrant, seasonal ingredients.

They have a wide variety of delectable menu items too, of course. Some of our personal favourites include the Double-boiled chicken soup, Wok-fried tiger prawns, and to top off these savoury delicacies? A sweet (but not too sweet) Golden Phoenix rice cake.

Other menu 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 soft shell crab
• Festive desserts like Golden Phoenix rice cake, snow-skin mandarin orange and hot ginger tea with glutinous rice balls
• Golden Phoenix’s signature Poon Choy, layered with delicacies such as ten-head abalone, sea cucumber, Japanese dried scallops, tiger prawns, roast duck and vegetables, a centrepiece dish designed for sharing
• À la carte dishes and the celebrated traditional roast duck, served two ways

If you’re looking to book a spot at the table, set menus are priced from RM178+ to RM698+ per person (for a minimum of four), while the legendary Premium Poon Choy is available at RM688+ per pot. For those who can’t resist a classic, the traditional roast duck, served two ways, is available for RM288+. The Yee Sang ranges from from RM138+ to RM688+ per portion depending on selection and size.

The EQ Banquet Experience

But what if your celebration requires a bit more… scale? If you’re planning a grander affair (whether it’s a corporate gathering or a massive family reunion) EQ is well-prepared to play the perfect host. Their Lunar New Year Banquet offerings are designed to take the stress out of hosting while keeping that “wow” factor firmly intact.

And if you’d rather host in the comfort of your own space? That’s where EQ Beyond comes in. This service allows you to bring the entire banquet menu home, or to any venue of your choice, ensuring your private gatherings have that same polished, five-star flair. It’s luxury catering that brings the heritage of the hotel directly to your doorstep, wherever that may be.

Dishes include:

• Norwegian salmon and jellyfish yee sang
• Double-boiled chicken soup with cordyceps, abalone and dried scallops
• Steamed golden pomfret with black fungus and soya sauce
• Braised sea cucumber with abalone, fish maw, black moss and dried oyster
• Roasted sesame chicken with fragrant garlic and spicy vinegar
• Deep-fried prawns in butter with curry leaves and crispy oatmeal
• Steamed glutinous rice with dried shrimp, yam and mushrooms wrapped in a lotus leaf

Designed for groups of all sizes, these Lunar New Year banquet menus start from RM3,288+ per table of ten, with premium options available at higher tiers.

Gifts, Tea, and Traditions: The Full Festive Lineup

If you’re looking to take a piece of the celebration home, or perhaps send some luck to someone special, EQ’s Festive Retail Collection is well worth a visit. From 27 January to 3 March 2026, a pop-up booth in the lobby will be stocked with a curated selection of hampers, with offerings including premium abalone, house-crafted treats, and a Chinese zodiac surprise box, all paired with exclusive EQ ang pow packets.

The festivities don’t stop at the Golden Phoenix, either. Over at Bottega Lounge, guests can indulge in a Lunar New Year Afternoon Tea from 1 February to 3 March, 2026. While Nipah will be hosting a series of celebratory buffets starting from Lunar New Year’s Eve (16 February to 18 February 2026). It’s the perfect way to sample a wide spread of festive specialties alongside their usual fan-favourites.

And of course, it wouldn’t be a celebration without a bit of fanfare. To truly welcome the Year of the Horse, keep an eye out for the vibrant lion dance performances at the hotel lobby on 17 February and again on Chap Goh Mei, 3 March. It’s a chance to soak in those blessings of prosperity and good fortune in a setting that feels as golden as the season itself.

For more information, click here.