Lemon Garden at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur has always been one of our top places for buffets. There are selections aplenty, food is fresh and tasty, plus service is efficient with big smiles to go along.
At the Chinese New Year buffet at Lemon Garden, the first thing that caught my attention when I entered was the dessert section. Lemon Garden has always managed to put on a great display to wow guests, with its theme changing accordingly to the current festive season. This time round, as it’s a Chinese New Year buffet, various shades of red and gold abound.
Customise your own yee sang
The next counter at Lemon Garden which caught my eye was the do-it-yourself yee sang station. This is usually the salad station, which is what yee sang is essentially – a Chinese salad. I couldn’t believe how large this section was, and was simply in awe at the way they had filled it to the brim with the different ingredients for yee sang in their own containers and platters. I know the teen (and actually even I) would love this section as there are some ingredients in the pre-set yee sang platters that we don’t really fancy (sesame seeds for one and I’m speaking for myself here). The teen would go for a plateful of the pok pok chui (golden, crispy crackers) and multiple refills too at that. This station is truly a yee sang lover’s delight!
Chinese New Year dishes
At the Chinese cuisine section, as it was the Chinese New Year buffet, it had special Chinese New Year dishes out, and I tried each and every one that was on offer.
For meat, there was the Eight Treasure Duck, which was not too bad. For seafood, there was the Cod Fish which was steamed with soy sauce, spring onion and garlic oil. The cod fish had a hint of sweetness and the flesh was firm. This was very good.
There was also the Golden Nestum Tiger Prawn. The prawns were jumbo in size, fresh, and the Nestum (multi-grain cereal) gave it a crunch. To me, this was the star of the show and my favourite!
Considering this is a buffet and you’re encouraged to refill your plate as many times to your heart’s content, this is a great way to fill up on your ‘har har’ for the coming year. In case you didn’t know, prawns represent laughter and happiness during Chinese New Year. While you’re at it, load up too on the fish as fish represents abundance and prosperity.
For vegetables, there was the Stir-Fried Vegetable with Seafood. The Braised Sea Cucumber, Fish Stomach and Mushroom, and the CNY Glutinous Rice were both flavourful and true Chinese New Year dishes.
Before I started off on the Chinese New Year dishes, I first kicked off my meal with the double-boiled soup station. Black Bean with Chicken, Old Cucumber with Chicken, and Chicken and Wintermelon double boiled soups were available. I would have very much liked to have tried all three (but it was just me on that day, and there was no way I would’ve finished them all) so I opted for the Double-Boiled Old Cucumber with Chicken Soup. This soup was both savoury and sweet, and was light and delicate. The double boiled soups are a must at Lemon Garden if you’re there.
There were desserts in all forms of Chinese New Year theme and I’m sure they’re absolute treats but I unfortunately did not partake in any as I was by then quite stuffed and I didn’t have my plus one with me.
The Chinese New Year buffet in Lemon Garden runs until 3 March 2026 for lunch. It is priced at RM208 nett from Monday to Thursday, and RM228 nett from Friday to Sunday and public holidays.
It runs until 15 February 2026 for dinner and is priced at RM228 nett from Monday to Thursday, and RM288 nett from Friday to Sunday.
For Reunion Dinner (16 and 17 February 2026), it is priced at RM318 nett.
For reservations, please call 03 2786 2378 or WA +6019 390 2257.
We were invited by Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. As always, our opinions are honest and our own.
