“Lo-Hei, Lo-Hei”
The tossing of Yu Sheng is an important tradition not to be missed during Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year). Yu Sheng meaning “raw fish” is a Chinese New Year dish, served traditionally on the Seventh Day of the Lunar New Year Calendar, also known as “Ren Ri” meaning “Every man’s Birthday”.

It is a salad dish consisting of slivers of raw fish mixed with shredded fresh and preserved vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, pickled ginger, sun-dried orange peel, pomelo and various condiments like: crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, deep-fried flour crisps, cinnamon, pepper and other spices, with a generous addition of plum sauce and cooking oil.

A certain ritual is conducted before one partakes the dish. The ingredients are then mixed with tossing actions by diners. The act of “tossing” is called “Lo-Hei” and the term comes from the Cantonese dialect. “Lo” means “to toss up” and “Hei” means “to rise”, a reference to a thriving business especially with businessmen during the New Year. The origin of the Chinese New Year delicacy can be traced back to a cultural practice held by Guangzhou fishermen in the past, where on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, raw fish slices were eaten.

In Singapore, it was only in the mid-1960s that 4 Master Chefs, M/s Tham Mui Kai, Hooi Kok Wai, Lau Yoke Pui and Sin Leong, decided to create a unique Chinese New Year dish combining raw fish with a mix of ingredients. Hence “Yu Sheng” which implies “abundance of wealth and long life” is a must in any Chinese New Year menu.

Cherry Garden
(Mandarin Oriental Hotel Singapore – 5th Level)
Toss to a year of good beginnings with special Yu Sheng creations by Executive Chinese Chef Hiew Gun Khong, such as:

• Harmonious Yu Sheng with Fresh Lobster, Hokkagai Surf Clam and Abalone
• Trio Happiness Yu Sheng with Crispy Fish Skin, Salmon, Hokkagai Surf Clam in Plum and Spicy XO Sauce
• Garden of Wealth Yu Sheng with Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (Vegetarian Dish)

The Yu Sheng is part of the set menus at the Restaurant with prices ranging from S$88 to S$198 per person.

For reservation at Cherry Garden, please call (65) 6885 3538

(Please note that all prices listed are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes)

Harmonious Yu Sheng with Fresh Lobster, Hokkagai Surf Clam and Abalone

Pine Court Chinese Restaurant
(Meritus Mandarin Singapore – Grand Tower/35th Level)
Meritus Mandarin Singapore offers an all-new “Magnificent Yu Sheng” (S$68 – S$98), a sumptuous melange of flavours and textures which promises to tantalize your taste buds with its alternative ingredients of Crab Claw meat, Korean Snow Pear and fresh Avocado. I find the taste unique and refreshing. It comes in 3 serving sizes: small, medium and large. A must have, should you be dining at Pine Court Chinese Restaurant.

Whether you are gathering with your loved ones for a celebration or tossing Yu Sheng with friends on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, there are 11 auspicious set menus with different types of Yu Sheng to select from. There are 2 set menus (for a table of 10 persons) that stand out with offerings of special Yu Sheng. They are:

• S$1,888 set menu with “Deluxe Golden Flakes Yu Sheng” – Ingredients include Superior Shark’s Fin, Salmon Fish, Bonito Flakes, Golden Mushrooms and Snow Pear among other vegetables
• S$2,988 set menu (8-course) with “Celestial Golden Flakes Yu Sheng” – Ingredients include Lobsters, Superior Sark’s Fin and Fresh Roe

For reservation, please call (65) 6831 6262

(Please note that all prices listed are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes)

Hai Tien Lo
(Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel – Level 37)
At Pan Pacific Singapore’s Hai Tien Lo situated on Level 37, Master Chef Lai Tong Ping has a new Yu Sheng creation named Japanese Sweet Prawn and Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng, one of the 8 different varieties available – raw fish and vegetables tossed for auspicious wishes in the New Year. All varieties of Yu Sheng are part of set menus available from S$78 per person. The various Yu Sheng are also available for takeaway.

By the way, have you tried Japanese Yu Sheng? Keyaki Japanese Restaurant on level 4 of Pan Pacific Singapore Hotel presents Wafu Yu Sheng, a pretty creation consisting of generous slices of Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail Sashimi and Tobiko tossed with Japanese Ponzu Sauce. This refreshing tasty dish is priced at S$95 and serves up to 4 persons.

For orders or dining reservation at either Restaurants, please call (65) 6826 8240 or via e-mail celebrate.sin@panpacific.com

(Please note that all prices listed are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes)

Japanese Sweet Prawn and Norwegian Salmon Yu Sheng (left) and Wafu Yu Sheng (right)
Hua Ting Restaurant
(Orchard Hotel Singapore – 2nd Level)
Over at Hua Ting Restaurant in Orchard Hotel Singapore, their “Lo-Hei” comes in the form of the traditional Fresh Salmon Yu Sheng, and is served in either small or large portion with prices at S$52 and S$98 respectively. There is also the “Live” Lobster, Abalone and Fresh Salmon Yu Sheng priced at S$288 for table of 10 persons.

This year, Master Chef Chan Kok has created a new Yu Sheng with Fresh Hamachi (fish). Serving portion available in either small or large set with pricing at S$68 and S$128 respectively.

For reservation, please call (65) 6739 6666

(Please note that all prices listed are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes)

Traditional Fresh Salmon Yu Sheng
Peach Blossoms
(Marina Mandarin Singapore – Level 5)
You can also choose to enjoy your “Lo-Hei” in the dining comfort of Peach Blossoms at Marina Mandarin Singapore in Marina Square. It serves a fruity Mandarin Salmon and Ebi Yu Sheng with Tropical Fruits, paying tribute to our Asian roots. What I find interesting is that it incorporates unconventional ingredients like: Passion Fruits, Chempedak, Mango, Kiwi Fruit and Rambutan into the traditional “Lo-Hei”. This offering promises a delightful surprise with refreshing ingredients such as Kiwi Fruit and Mango topped with fresh succulent slices of raw Ebi (Japanese Sweet Prawn) and Salmon, served with a fragrant Citrus Sauce. It is available in either small or large servings and priced at S$68 and S$136 respectively.

For reservation, please call (65) 6841 1111

(Please note that all prices listed are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes)

Mandarin Salmon and Ebi Yu Sheng with Tropical Fruits
Golden Peony
(Conrad Centennial Singapore – 3rd Level)
Sweet Japanese Shrimps are also featured in Conrad Centennial Singapore’s Chinese Restaurant Golden Peony’s Yu Sheng. Executive Chinese Chef Chung Ho Shi adds a whole new dimension of creativity to this auspicious dish by introducing Ama Ebi Yu Sheng and Hoy Sum Lo Hei Yu Sheng, using US Scallop, pan-seared and golden fried to perfection with crunchy Coral Weed. This is accompanied with a choice of traditional Sweet Plum Sauce or Mildly-spiced Sweet Sauce.

For more details or reservations, please call (65) 6432 7482

Looks like Yu Sheng, the pride and joy of the 4 Master Chefs, has come a long way since its initial inception. It has evolved, through constant innovation, into a more elaborate and expensive taste today. And should you ask what the “Lo-Hei” or “Toss” is all about? Well! It is about greater success, good fortune, luck, and prosperity for the coming Lunar New Year.

So keep on tossing!!!

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