Li Yen serves traditional Chinese Cantonese cuisine. I was told that Li Yen means “Beautiful Garden”. Well when you first walk into the restaurant I noticed a modern feel of the setting. This was combined with the traditional Chinese themed paintings on the walls. In my opinion, a good balance for couples who are looking for a modern Chinese feel with traditional tasting food. The food was ammazinggg!!
The restaurant seats comfortably about 100 guests but can also cater for bigger functions with the use of the Ritz Carlton Conference Center.
Li Yen is a small cozy restaurant that really shines out its class with its great tasting food.
MENU FOR THE FUNCTION
As a traditional Chinese restaurant, the menu consists of a 5 – 8 course menu. Having grown up in a typical Chinese family, I have had my share of Chinese course dinners. The dinner we had at Li Yen was extra delicious even though the menu is traditional!
1. Li Yen’s four hot and cold combination – Deep-fried crab claw with prawns paste, Li-Yen’s golden prawns, Sliced shell fish with Thai sauce, Stir-fried scallops with asparagus
The Deep-Fried crab claws: You can taste the freshness of the crab mixed with the prawn paste inside with the crispy breadcrumb texture on the outside.
The focus of the dish is the sauce! According to the chef, it is a combination of ketchup, salad sauce and corn flour with some yam sprinkles that gives it a slight crunch to the texture.
I enjoyed how the garlic and ginger slices was so simple but yet blended so well with the scallops and the asparagus.
2. Barbecued Crispy Suckling Pig
In my experience, most 5-star Chinese restaurants at hotels do not serve this dish because they are normally pork-free, so this is a rare treat to see this on the menu.
Through listening to many aunties and uncles over countless dinner gatherings, I was taught that the best suckling pigs will have a golden brown crispy skin while maintaining a moist tender meat in the inside. Well.. that’s how I would best describe my experience tasting this dish. It wasn’t greasy as well so that was important for me.
Chef also told me the roasting process is roughly about 3 hours!
3. Baked Spare Ribs with Chinese Tea Leaves
When the dish was first brought out, the first thing I noticed is that the ribs was shiny! I had to ask how he did it!… He gladly revealed his secret that it was a watered maltose layer that he applied just before serving the dish. The meat was tender and tasted well seasoned.
4. Li Yen’s Signature Bean Curd with Honshimeji Mushrooms and Spinach
The bean curd was home made. They basically used a soya paste with eggs, steamed first then deep fried. The spinach was blended and placed on the top to make this unique dish! It was definitely something I had not seen before, and I felt so lucky to have been able to try it! it was delicious!
At first glance… they look like Mahjong Tiles!
5. Braised 6 Heads Whole Abalone with Sea Cucumber in Brown Sauce
You know that in the Chinese tradition… Abalone and Sea Cucumber denotes luxury!! so there’s nothing more to say about this dish :) According to Chef, these were flown in from Australia.
CHEF – LEONG KWAI HONG
Chef Leong is the Executive Chinese Chef originally from Hong Kong. He has been here since 2001. At the age of 9, from Macau, he travelled to Hong Kong with 100 dollars to look for work. Started with grocery delivery, he progressed through life learning his culinary art through working in restaurants.
VenueMenu Recommendation for Weddings
Event Capacity: max 100 persons in a 10 table seating arrangement
Event Option: You can utilize the Function Rooms at the Convention Center if you need more space for seating of more than 100. The restaurant can cater to this.
Location Convenience: Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur opposite Pavilion Mall
Halal/Non-Halal: Non-Halal
Type of Cuisine: Chinese
Price Range*: $$$$
*price range is my personal rating system out of the overall venues that we have been to. It is a rating of between $ to $$$$$
Li Yen Restaurant
The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur
168, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Web link: http://bit.ly/XeK4r9
For bookings, contact +603 2142.8000
photos by Edwin Tan
