Lunar New Year 2026 Dining at Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South: Buffets, Tea & Banquets

Welcoming the Lunar New Year in Style

Lunar New Year isn’t just a date on the calendar—it’s a feeling. It’s the sound of laughter around a round table, the clink of glasses raised for prosperity, and the joy of sharing meaningful meals with people who matter. 

For the 2026 festive season, Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South captures that feeling perfectly with its Spring Festive Celebration, offering a season filled with abundance, flavour, and togetherness.

From January through March 2026, guests are invited to experience thoughtfully designed Lunar New Year dining across Substance, Courtyard Lounge, and AT 137 Bar. 

Whether you’re planning an intimate family reunion, a corporate dinner, or a relaxed evening with friends, this celebration promises memorable moments wrapped in festive elegance.

5 Surprising Reasons Your Food Bill in Malaysia is Higher Than You Think

Introduction: That "Ouch" Moment at the Cashier

We’ve all been there. You enjoy a meal at your favorite mamak or local café, head to the cashier, and the final bill is just… more. More than last month, more than you expected. It's that familiar "ouch" moment that has become increasingly common across Malaysia. The easy answer is "inflation," a simple word for a complex problem. But the real story behind your rising food bill is far more intricate and surprising than a single economic term can capture.

While inflation is part of the picture, it doesn't explain the whole story. In a landscape where diners are reportedly "eating out less but eating better," every ringgit on your receipt is the culmination of a complex chain reaction involving government policy, hidden costs, intense market battles, and astute business strategies. This article breaks down five key factors, backed by research, that reveal the real story behind your receipt.

Introduction: From Daunted to Durian Pro

Wandering into a durian stall for the first time can be a daunting task. The pungent, unmistakable aroma hangs thick in the air. Piles of spiky, enigmatic fruits surround you. The vendor waits, expecting you to choose, but where do you even begin? It’s a pressure familiar to many would-be connoisseurs, a moment of indecision that can lead to a disappointing, overpriced fruit.

But it doesn’t have to be a gamble. This guide is here to arm you with a few simple, expert-backed secrets that will transform you from a hesitant newcomer into a confident durian selector. With this insider knowledge, you'll be able to walk up to any stall and pick a winner every time.

5 Insider Secrets to Picking the Perfect Durian: The Ultimate Expert Selection Guide

Samsung’s “Your Companion to AI Living”: A First Look Ahead of CES 2026

Setting the Stage for CES 2026

Every year, CES feels a bit like peeking into the future through a slightly foggy window. You know something big is coming—you just don’t know exactly what shape it’ll take. This time, Samsung Electronics decided to wipe that fog just a little earlier. Ahead of CES 2026, the company dropped a teaser video on December 23, revealing the theme for The First Look 2026: “Your Companion to AI Living.”

And no, this isn’t just another flashy slogan.

It’s a statement of intent. A promise that artificial intelligence is no longer something that merely lives inside devices, but something that lives with you.

How to Know If Seafood Is Really Fresh (Before You Eat It)

Many Malaysians believe seafood is fresh as long as it’s placed on ice. Unfortunately, that assumption leads to disappointment — and sometimes health risks. Ice can slow spoilage, but it cannot reverse it. Knowing how to identify fresh seafood correctly is an essential food skill every diner should have.

Why Ice Is Not a Freshness Guarantee

Seafood sellers often rely on ice to create a visual illusion of freshness. While ice keeps seafood cold, it also masks warning signs like smell and texture breakdown. This is why appearance alone is unreliable.

Fresh Seafood Buying Guide: Insider Tests That Never Fail

Moxy Putrajaya Ramadan Buffet 2026 - Lepak Bazaar 3.0: Syok, Selera, Timur

Lepak Bazaar 3.0: Syok, Selera, Timur — Moxy Putrajaya Turns Up the East Coast Vibes!

Introduction to Lepak Bazaar 3.0

If there’s one thing Malaysians can agree on, it’s this: food brings people together. And in 2026, Moxy Putrajaya is taking that idea and turning it up several notches with the return of Lepak Bazaar 3.0: Syok, Selera, Timur. This isn’t just another buffet or bazaar—it’s a full-on celebration of East Coast flavours, playful energy, and the joy of gathering under one vibrant roof.

From smoky grills to coconut-rich curries, from viral creations to nostalgic kampung classics, Lepak Bazaar 3.0 promises a dining experience that feels familiar yet excitingly fresh.

Dorsett Hartamas Kuala Lumpur Ushers in the Lunar New Year with the Feast of Fortune and Dish of Abundance

Welcoming the Lunar New Year with Prosperity and Unity

The Lunar New Year isn’t just another festive date on the calendar. It’s a heartfelt celebration of new beginnings, family reunions, prosperity, and hope. In 2025, Dorsett Hartamas Kuala Lumpur steps into the festive spotlight by presenting a thoughtfully curated Lunar New Year dining experience — The 

Feast of Fortune and the much-loved Dish of Abundance Yee Sang.

Available from 11 December 2025, these offerings are designed to bring people together over symbolic dishes, meaningful flavours, and memorable moments. Whether you’re gathering with family, hosting a corporate reunion, or celebrating with close friends, this festive collection promises a dining experience that feels both traditional and indulgent.

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Ushers in the Year of the Horse - Chinese New Year Set Menu & Buffet

Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur Ushers in the Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year isn’t just a celebration—it’s a feeling. It’s about reunion dinners that stretch late into the night, laughter echoing across round tables, and dishes that carry generations of meaning. This year, Sheraton Imperial Kuala Lumpur sets the tone for the Year of the Horse with an exclusive Chinese New Year Media Preview that beautifully blends heritage, abundance, and modern elegance.

Hosted at Celestial Court, the hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant, the preview offered an exclusive first look at thoughtfully curated festive menus, creative culinary highlights, and immersive dining experiences designed to usher in prosperity and renewal.

Christmas is the most searched season for best Christmas cakes, festive desserts, and holiday cake gifts — and this year, Sweet Passion Premium Cake delivers a thoughtfully crafted collection designed to elevate every celebration. 

Whether you’re hosting a Christmas dinner, planning festive gifting, or searching for the perfect year-end dessert, these three signature cakes are created to suit different tastes, occasions, and sharing moments.

Christmas Cake Guide 2025: Discover Sweet Passion Premium Festive Cake Collection 🎄🍰

F&B Insider Facts: The Truth Behind Buffet Sushi Malaysians Never Knew

Why Buffet Sushi Never Tastes Fresh — Insider Facts Malaysians Should Know

Malaysians love buffets, but one item consistently disappoints: sushi. The dry rice, mushy seaweed, and bland fish leave diners wondering why it can’t match restaurant-quality standards. The truth is simple — and knowing it can help you enjoy buffets much more.

The Insider Truth Behind Buffet Sushi

Sushi is extremely sensitive to time. Once made, its quality drops quickly.

But many buffets prepare sushi in huge batches hours before service to reduce staffing costs. With fewer chefs and thousands of pieces needed, pre-making is standard practice.

As a result, sushi sits for long periods, losing moisture and texture. Rice becomes stiff, seaweed turns soggy, and raw fish dulls — long before diners arrive.

Hometown Hainan Coffee has opened its latest outlet in the upscale neighbourhood of Bukit Damansara,  located at 7, Jalan Setiakasih 5, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur. Known for serving traditional Hainanese food crafted from cherished family recipes, the brand continues to grow steadily and today operates 25 outlets across the Klang Valley.

This well-loved Malaysian dining chain offers more than just nostalgic flavours—it represents a four-generation legacy dedicated to preserving the essence of authentic Malaysian cuisine shaped by the Hainanese community. 

In 2025, Hometown Hainan Coffee was honoured at the World Gourmet Awards, receiving the Top Outstanding F&B Brand Award and Top Authentic Casual Dining. This recognition reflects the brand’s continued commitment to quality, authenticity, and excellence in serving traditional Hainanese food.

Hometown Hainan Coffee  Bukit Damansara – A Taste of Malaysian Hainanese Heritage with Modern Comfort

Menu Psychology - The Menu Trick That Makes You Spend More (You’ve Been Played)

How Restaurant Menus Trick You Into Spending More — And How to Outsmart Them

Every time you open a restaurant menu, you are already being guided toward a specific choice. Menu psychology is a powerful tool in the F&B world, and one of its most effective tactics is the use of “decoy items.” These high-priced dishes are designed to influence your perception — not your appetite. Today, we break down how this trick works and how Malaysians can avoid getting played.

What Is a Decoy Item and Why Is It There?

A decoy item is a dish priced so high that most customers would never consider ordering it. But that’s exactly the point.

Its real purpose is to make everything around it look cheaper.

For example, if a menu lists a lobster dish at RM138, the RM48 grilled chicken suddenly feels “reasonable,” even if it’s actually overpriced. You aren’t choosing the best value — you’re choosing the option that feels like a bargain compared to the decoy.