The bold, spicy cuisine of Sichuan in southwest China is the inspiration behind a Chinese New Year festive spread in Bandar Sunway.

“The whole lamb is marinated with an in-house blend of chilli powder, garlic, sesame oil and cumin before being roasted.

“It can be savoured with a dip made of Chinese coriander and bird’s eye chilli.”

The skewered meats and seafood are generously coated in a fragrant spice blend, then grilled and served to order.

Sunway Resort Hotel executive sous chef Afham Afiq Maya Matkhir, better known as Afiq Matkhir, described the roasted lamb as similar to kambing golek but prepared Sichuan style.

“We will be serving the same dish during Ramadan, but paired with nasi minyak instead of steamed pau,” he said.

The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Sunset Terrace is presenting a festive spread this Chinese New Year, themed “Roots of Prosperity” that brings heritage and innovation together.

The buffet celebrates traditions while embracing creative culinary twists, such as referencing Sichuanese cuisine or tweaking traditional recipes to suit multicultural palates.

“I prefer sticking to classic styles of cooking – anything fusion that is too funky is unlikely to do well among diners,” Lee said.

“I am also very particular about the quality of ingredients and how food is prepared, as these have to be dishes that I myself will enjoy.”

Other highlights include the signature Double-boiled Black Garlic Soup with Scallops, Sang Har Mee Suah with Freshwater Prawns, Teppan-style Wagyu Fried Rice and Roasted Duck.

“The Oyster Shooter is another signature dish here.

“It’s a very refreshing Japanese-inspired appetiser served with a combination of Japanese soy sauce, Japanese vinegar, bonito, lemon and salt.

“Our oysters are sourced from Hokkaido and are of a very good grade,” said Lee.

Oysters, which represent wealth and good fortune, are also served as a hot dish in the form of Steamed Oysters with Minced Ginger.

Afham Afiq cited the Lamb Trotter as an example of an adapted dish.

The recipe uses a blend of spices such as star anise, cinnamon, cloves and ginger.

“The lamb trotter is marinated overnight and braised for about four hours,” he said.

“We rotate different versions daily, with the dish having either a soy sauce or ginger base,” he added.

The buffet spread also features a selection of Western, Japanese, Indian and other cuisines.

For sweet endings, look out for festive-themed desserts such as Baked Jackfruit Crumble, Red Bean and Coconut Spring Roll, Chocolate Orange Truffle, Chinese Honey Cake with Sesame, Fig and Orange Loaf and Orange Compote Mandarin Panna Cotta.

These are served alongside assorted Nyonya kuih, Talam Pandan Ice-cream and traditional biscuits.

The buffet, available until Feb 22, is priced at RM168+ per adult for lunch on weekdays and RM208+ on weekends.

For dinner, it is priced at RM228+ per adult daily except on Feb 16 at RM258+ per adult.

Lunch hours are from noon to 3pm and dinner is from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.

A separate yee sang menu is available for dine-in at Sunset Terrace or takeaway.

There are five options: Japanese Hokkaido Scallop and Seasoned Krill Wasabi Yee Sang, Smoked Salmon and Fruity Yee Sang, Smoked Salmon and Crispy Fish Skin Yee Sang, Snow Pear Jellyfish Yee Sang and Fruity Yee Sang.

Prices start from RM98+ for a medium portion and from RM168+ for a large one.

The hotel’s grand ballroom will also serve as a venue for a sit-down reunion dinner, held only on Feb 16.

The eight-course menu offers Stewed Eight-head Abalone in Truffle Abalone Sauce, Steamed Omega Dragon Tiger Grouper, Deep-fried Meng Har Prawns and Claypot Lobster Broth with Rice.

It is priced at RM1,728+ for a table of six, RM2,168+ for a table of eight and RM2,688+ for a table of 10.

SUNSET TERRACE, Level 1, Sunway Resort Hotel, Persiaran Lagoon, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya, Selangor. (Tel: 03-7495 2009/WhatsApp: 019-381 5568). Business hours: 6am-10.30pm.

This is the writer’s personal observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.