I’ve been dining at Shanghai in JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur for years now, and it never disappoints. Right in the heart of Bukit Bintang’s buzz, this MICHELIN Selected spot has been serving up refined Shanghainese food for over 20 years. I recently attended their exclusive Lunar New Year preview lunch – a sneak peek at the festive menu for the Year of the Fire Horse in 2026 – and it was amazing.
As always the dining room felt effortlessly elegant, with soft lighting, polished wood, and those subtle 1930s Shanghai vibes that feel timeless yet comfortable.
Shanghai Lunar New Year menu: let’s dig in
We started the feast with the inventive Deep Fried French Goose Liver Wrapped in Cuttlefish: a golden, crispy exterior giving way to silky foie gras inside. The contrast was perfect, and it felt like a clever East-meets-West twist.
Next up was the Steamed Sealord Fish with Light Soya Sauce, perfectly flaky and fresh, steamed just right with a delicate sauce, my standout dish.
Then came the Stir-Fried Prawn with Salted Egg Yolk – plump and coated in rich, creamy salted egg sauce, followed by the classic Shanghainese Poached Chicken with Garlic and Soya Sauce, tender and juicy with a fragrant drizzle but a bit bland.
The fifth course brought the dramatic sounding Braised Spanish Pig’s Trotter with Sea Moss. I don’t eat pork, however everyone at my table raved about it. It looked incredibly tender, falling off the bone in a glossy, flavourful braise with a subtle oceanic lift from the sea moss.
Nearing the end, we finally got to one of my favourites – the Prosperity Yee Sang with Salmon and Jellyfish – a gloriously colourful platter loaded with fresh salmon slices, crunchy jellyfish, shredded veggies, and crackers. We all crowded around for the lou sang, tossing it high amidst increasingly loud wishes for good fortune, health and wealth. Messy but fun.
From there we moved to a hearty Traditional Rice with Chinese Waxed Meat and Vegetable in Casserole – fragrant rice cooked with lap cheong sausage and waxed duck, mixed with veggies, which rounded up the savouries.
We ended on a sweet high with the Deep-Fried Crispy Glutinous Rice Cake with Yam, golden and chewy, and the light, nourishing Sweetened Cordyceps with Snow Fungus.
Champagne pairing
What truly elevated this Lunar New Year menu preview was the specially curated pairing with Champagne MEA Alexandre – both the crisp, elegant Blanc de Blancs and the fruity, vibrant Rosé. The white bubbles refreshed after richer bites like the foie gras and salted egg prawns, while the Rosé’s subtle berry notes complemented the savoury waxed meats and braised trotter. It added sophistication and put us in a very cheerful mood.
Malaysia is the first country outside France to welcome this exceptional champagne, with JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur being the premier hotel partner.
Champagne MEA Alexandre is a rising star from the heart of Champagne, led by its founder Alexandre Méa, the fifth generation of a family with over 150 years of Champagne making heritage with approximately 100 hectares of Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards, some of the most prized terroirs in the Region. It is available from 7 January to 31 March 2026 at Shanghai.
Service was, as always, impeccable – attentive yet unobtrusive.
This preview reaffirmed Shanghai’s status as a top destination for authentic yet innovative Shanghainese fine dining. For an auspicious and memorable Lunar New Year celebration, book early – this is prosperity on a plate, perfectly paired.
Shanghai has specially created three set menus this year, starting from RM238++ per person or RM2,688++ for 10 persons. These menus are available from 3 February to 3 March 2026 for both lunch and dinner.
For reservations and enquiries, please WhatsApp +60 18 6230 069.
We were invited by JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
