Photo courtesy of Majestic Restaurant
If you’re a local or if you’ve been living in Singapore long enough, you’d be familiar with this unique Chinese dish. Yu Sheng is basically one big salad bowl mainly comprising of raw fish.
Recognised as a significant mainstay of the Chinese New Year period, Yu Sheng was first served in Singapore's Lai Wah Restaurant in 1964 and goes by many other names. “Lo Hei” and “Prosperity Toss” are just some of its other monikers, and the word “toss” pretty much sums up the notion of this interesting salad dish.
Yu Sheng is usually served before any main dish. As an appetiser, it represents good luck for the brand new year. Two main ideas make up the traditional Yu Sheng process, 1) the combining of all the ingredients in a big bowl (virtually everything comes separately when served), and 2) everyone at the table tossing the salad simultaneously using a pair of chopsticks.
While both processes are carried out, it is considered auspicious to recite Chinese sayings and phrases to welcome prosperity, luck and good health; this is especially important for the first step of combining the ingredients together for each item means something.
So, what exactly are these Chinese sayings and phrases and what do they mean with the ingredients? Let’s find out!
Photo courtesy of Peony Jade
Item #1 – Raw fish (生鱼, Sheng Yu) represents abundance and excess through the year, particularly for all the good stuff like prosperity
Phrase – “Abundance throughout the year” (年年有余, Nian Nian You Yu)
Item #2 – Pomelo (柚子, You Zi) is added after the fish, for luck and auspicious value
Phrase – “Good luck and smooth sailing” (大吉大利, Da Ji Da Li)
Item #3 – Pepper (胡椒粉, Hu Jiao Fen) is thrown into the mix as a wish for wealth
Phrase – “Attract wealth and treasures” (招财进宝, Zhao Cai Jin Bao)
Item #4 – Vegetable oil (油, You) is drizzled in a circular motion over the mixture as a symbol of welcoming money and for it to “flow in from all directions”
Phrase – “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital” (一本万利, Yi Ben Wan Li), and “Countless sources of wealth” (财源广进, Cai Yuan Guang Jin)
Item #5 – Carrots (红萝卜, Hong Luo Bo) are also used to indicate blessings of good luck
Phrase – “Good luck is approaching” (鸿运当头, Hong Yun Dang Tou)
Item #6 – Green radish (青萝卜, Qing Luo Bo) stands for eternal youth
Phrase – “Forever young” (青春常驻, Qing Chun Chang Zhu)
Item #7 – White radish (白萝卜, Bai Luo Bo) is also used to usher in good business prospects
Phrase – “Reaching a higher level with each step” (步步高升, Bu Bu Gao Sheng), and “Progress at a fast pace” (风生水起, Feng Sheng Shui Qi)
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Ptanu
After the main ingredients come the condiments:
Item #8 – Crushed peanuts (花生粉, Hua Sheng Fen) are sprinkled over the dish, symbolising wishes for a household to be filled with valuable possessions
Phrase – “Household filled with gold and silver” (金银满屋, Jin Yin Man Wu)
Item #9 – Sesame seeds (芝麻, Zhi Ma) come after the crushed peanuts, representing hope for a business to flourish and grow
Phrase – “Prosperity for the business” (生意兴隆, Sheng Yi Xing Long)
Item #10 – Golden crackers (薄脆饼干, Bo Cui Bing Gan) symbolise great wealth
Phrase – “Floor full of gold” (满地黄金, Man Di Huang Jin)
Item #11 – Plum sauce ((酸梅酱, Suan Mei Jiang) is poured all over the dish, representing hope for stronger ties with those around you
Phrase – “Sweet and loving relationships” (甜甜蜜蜜, Tian Tian Mi Mi)
Now that you're in the know, you won't be so lost and puzzled at the grand tossing ceremony anymore!
