As Hong Kong prepares for the approaching Lunar New Year celebrations in 2026, the traditional ritual of consuming poon choi (basin feast)—symbolizing prosperity and abundance—has sparked an intense culinary competition among the city’s top hotels, veteran establishments, and celebrity chefs. This year’s offering features a diverse range of gourmet options, from Michelin-starred luxury feasts to creative, modern interpretations, all wrapped in attractive early-bird discounts and value-added promotions designed to entice diners.
The 2026 landscape for the communal dish is exceptionally rich, positioning the classic tradition firmly at the intersection of high gastronomy and consumer-friendly convenience. Leading the charge are institutions like the Kowloon Shangri-La, showcasing its Michelin-acclaimed Shang Palace Poon Choi, while culinary heavyweights such as Chef Lee Ka Ding (“Ding Ye”) and celebrity chef Tao Tak (“Fat Tao”) introduce their signature, ingredient-focused interpretations. With more than fifteen high-value selections available, consumers can capitalize on offers including discounts of up to 50 percent, complimentary side dishes like salted baked chicken, and significant price cuts on opulent ingredients such as abalone.
Luxury Hotel Offerings Set New Benchmarks
Prestige remains a defining factor, anchored by exquisite selections from Hong Kong’s leading hotels. The Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel presents two premium options: the Michelin-starred Shang Palace Poon Choi (HK$1,988), which features eight-head abalone and superior fish maw, and the extravagant Reunion Prosperity Deluxe Poon Choi (HK$5,088) built around six-head South African abalone and baby lobster. Patrons booking through the Shangri-La Boutique before January 23, 2026, can secure a 15% discount.
Similarly, the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong’s Grissini is catering to home celebrations with takeaway poon choi that boasts delicacies like whole South African abalone, sea cucumber, and premium French blue shrimp.
For large gatherings, the Metropolis Harbour View Hotel offers its Festive Reunion Poon Choi (HKD$2,088 for six people), featuring six-head abalone and crispy Argentine red shrimp, accessible through an 80% eShop discount for orders placed before February 19, 2026.
Celebrity Chefs and Innovative Concepts
Beyond traditional offerings, several notable chefs and innovative brands are pushing culinary boundaries. Ding Ye Kitchen’s Abalone and Sea Cucumber Supreme Poon Choi, personally supervised by Chef Lee Ka Ding, emphasizes premium ingredients and a rich, traditional oyster-based sauce crafted without fillers. Early bookings via KKday enjoy up to 13% off. Meanwhile, celebrity chef “Fat Tao” partners with a Poon Choi master to deliver the Prosperity Deluxe Poon Choi, a massive eighteen-ingredient creation steeped in a secret 24-hour slow-cooked sauce, currently available at a limited-time 50% discount plus extra savings on KKday.
Perhaps the most culturally salient innovation comes from Tang Poon Choi, led by the 26th-generation descendant of Ping Shan Tang clan, which merges the classic village feast identity with modern confectionery. They offer edible “Hong Kong memories” such as poon choi-flavored palmiers (butterfly cookies) and nostalgic “Nine Bowls Feast” themed cookies through a pop-up location at K11 Art Mall.
Diverse Options and Value Deals
Catering to different needs and dining preferences, high-value chain restaurants and specialty establishments are prioritizing affordability and convenience.
- Affordable Excellence: Fairwood (Dàkuàihuó) offers its festive poon choi for six people starting at HK$519 for app members, bundled with a HK$200 coupon package for future use.
- Vegan Alternative: Vege Lab provides a satisfying, plant-based alternative with its Blissful Poon Choi, using vegetarian abalone, bamboo fungus, and yellow fungus, with early-bird savings up to HK$200 before January 31, 2026.
For diners seeking the highest tier of Cantonese cuisine, the Michelin-starred Sun Tung Lok features three luxurious options, allowing customization with choices of abalone (South African, Australian Black Gold, or Japanese Yoshihama) alongside premium side pairings.
The 2026 poon choi season reaffirms the dish’s central role in Lunar New Year customs, evolving from a village harvest ritual into a highly anticipated gastronomic event. Dynamic pricing, gourmet customization, and increasingly convenient pickup and delivery services ensure that families across Hong Kong can partake in this tradition—a culinary symbol of togetherness and future prosperity—with greater accessibility and variety than ever before. Consumers are advised to utilize the extensive early-bird windows offered by providers to maximize savings and secure their choice of premium ingredients for the festive reunion.