With special dishes, a vibrant atmosphere, and festive season promotions, CNY at Rockafellers outlets throughout Greater KL is certainly a cause for celebration!
Contributed by Archie Rutters
Nothing quite hits the way a Chinese New Year celebration does. The moment I stepped into Rockafellers in Petaling Jaya, I was greeted by deep red lighting, a steady hum of Chinese music, and tables packed with family and friends already leaning into the occasion.
At first, I felt like the odd one out. With little to no Chinese New Year experience, I sat alone, trying not to look lost. The room helped a little: high bar stools, barrel tables, and a bar stacked with endless bottles gave the place a warm, lived-in charm. Then the staff brought over an endless stream of honey-lemon drinks, enough to take the edge off.
That calm didn’t last long. Before I knew it, I was pulled onto the main stage, handed a microphone, and hit with the question: “Are you single?” Not on my bingo card for the night, but it broke the ice.
LOU SANG: A JOYFUL MESS
From there, everyone became incredibly welcoming, especially during the Lou Sang. It’s a starter disguised as a celebration: guests gather around the table, chopsticks raised, and toss a mix of tuna, shredded vegetables, crackers, peanuts, and plum sauce as high as possible. Amid the shouting, laughter, and flying peanuts, chaos turns into a sweet, crunchy opening to the meal. More importantly, it made me feel part of the moment, chatting with people I never would’ve approached otherwise.
Then the main event arrived like a Viking banquet. People positioned themselves around the table, leaning in like dogs cadging for scraps. It became a performance of all the wonderful foods on display: suckling pig with glutinous rice, beef Wellington, meatloaf, pork ribs, sausages, roast duck, and lamb leg, all accompanied by a load of carbs like roasted potatoes and an assortment of sauces. Just looking at it gave me the meat sweats. The aroma, juices seeping from every cut, made the whole spread feel like pure indulgence.
CONTROLLED CHAOS AT THE TABLE
After the grand ceremony of laying out all the dishes, things quickly descended into controlled chaos. It became an every-person-for-themselves buffet, grab what you want, but be prepared to give a firm nudge. Part of me suspects the frenzy was a bit performative, not something that happens every time, but it added entertainment value.
The food itself was on point. A mix of different meats meant you were never overwhelmed by one flavour, almost like a tasting tour where you could sample everything and mentally rank your favourites for the next celebration. As for me, the winner was obvious: beef Wellington. I’m British, after all; turning it down would be borderline treason.
This wasn’t just a sit-down meal where you order, eat, and exchange a few polite words. It felt more like an event, one that brought people together through food and tradition. Rockafellers showed me that a Chinese New Year celebration doesn’t have to be confined to your inner circle; it can be shared across a whole room. And the best part? It’s not just about the food. It’s an opportunity to learn about the traditions and values of the Lunar New Year.
Rockafellers offers two CNY options for dine-in or takeaway: the Prosperity Menu at RM588 nett (meat) and the Treasures of the Sea Platter at RM648 nett (Seafood). The menu is available at Rockafellers Changkat, Rockafellers Petaling Jaya, Rock Bottom Desa Park City, Rock Bottom Changkat, and The GoodFellas Changkat.
