When it comes to celebrating Chinese New Year (CNY) in Singapore, besides an annual spring cleaning and buying new clothes…
One simply cannot celebrate the occasion without observing the Lou Hei 捞起 (Cantonese for ‘tossing up’) tradition and eating Yu Sheng 鱼生.
The most popular and modern incarnation of this dish is the Qicai Yu Sheng (七彩鱼生; “seven-coloured raw fish salad “): a dish which is enjoyed in homes and restaurants all over Singapore during the CNY period.
As such, if you looking for some delicious yu sheng to celebrate togetherness and ring in good fortune in the year ahead — we’ve got you!
We scoured this island to put together this list of yu sheng options for every budget, from the affordable ones you can find at our supermarkets to the atas (sophisticated or elegant) ones at five-star hotels, restaurants, and healthier vegetarian options.
So do save this article and return to it when you need to!
Do note that the information is accurate as of 24 Jan 2024. Prices and promotions are subject to change without prior notice.
TL;DR: Year of Dragon (2024)’s Best Yusheng Platters in Singapore
Most affordable Yu Sheng: RedMart Smart Knife Ready to Eat Prosperity Yusheng 3 IN 1 Set ($8.88), NTUC Fairprice Singlong Loh Hey Yee Sang ($11.90)
Luxurious Yu Sheng: Carlton City Hotel’s Auspicious Treasure Pot ($298), Min Jiang at Dempsey’s Auspicious Abundance Lo Hei ($298++)
Most affordable Vegetarian/Halal Yu Sheng: RedMart’s Tungsan Prosperous Yu-Sheng ($14.80)
Luxurious Vegetarian Yu Sheng: Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant’s Purple Dragon Fruit and Pear with Balsamic Caviar Vegetarian Yu Sheng ($88+)
Most affordable Halal Yu Sheng: RedMart’s Tungsan Prosperous Yu-Sheng ($14.80), Nyan Auspicious Yee Sang ($15.45)
Click for more deets:
Traditional Yu Sheng And Lou Hei in Singapore
But like many dishes in Singapore, there are two competing claims for the invention of the modern version of the dish.
Modern yusheng was said to have been invented in the 1940s by Malaysian chef Loke Ching Fatt, who created the dish in Seremban, Malaysia.
However, some claim that the dish was created in 1964 in Singapore by the “Four Heavenly Kings” in the Singapore restaurant scene: chefs Hooi Kok Wai, Lau Yoke Pui, Sin Leong and Tham Yui Kai.
Before I start another war about who ACTUALLY invented this dish, let’s focus on the main point here:
Yummy yu sheng and prosperous lou hei!
Affordable Yu Sheng Under $30
This is a popular choice, especially for smaller families or families who prefer a simple, hassle-free lou hei moment and don’t want to spend too much.
Most of the Yu Shengs on this list cost less than $30.
You can also get these at your nearby supermarkets – plus points for convenience and price.
Not to mention that you can also get the yu sheng delivered to your house!
| Store | Name | Serves/Weight | Price | Halal or Vegetarian? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Storage Yu Sheng | Zenxin Yusheng | 5 – 6 pax (300g) |
$22.80 | — |
| Premium Handcrafted Fruit Yusheng | 3 – 5 pax (500g) |
$68.80 | ||
| Singlong Loh Hey Yee Sang | 4 – 6 pax (350g) |
$11.90 | – | |
| Singlong Auspicious Yee Sang | 7 – 9 pax (600g) |
$15.95 | ||
| Singlong Fa Cai Yee Sang | 7 – 9 pax (600g) |
$25.10 | ||
| Smart Knife Ready to Eat Prosperity Yusheng 3 IN 1 Set | 4 – 6 pax (300g) |
$8.88 | — | |
| Sing Long Yee Sang | 4 – 6 pax (600g) |
$24.90 | ||
| Sing Long Loh Hei Yee Sang | 4 – 6 pax (600g) |
$16.90 | ||
| Sing Long Loh Hei Yee Sang – Plastic Tub | 4 – 6 pax (600g) |
$16.90 | ||
| Food People Prosperity Yu Sheng Lou Hei | 4 – 6 pax (450g) |
$16.88 | ||
| RedMart Prosperity Yusheng | 8 – 10 pax (850g) |
$20.80 | ||
| RedMart Prosperity Yusheng with Smoked Salmon | 8 – 10 pax (900g) |
$25.80 | ||
| Sing Long Yee Sang – Yusheng | 6 – 8 pax (600g) |
$16.90 | ||
| Sing Long Old Chinese Yee Sang | 4 – 6 pax (600g) |
$16.90 | ||
| FLS Lo Hei Yee Sang | 4 – 6 pax (600g) |
$25.40 | ||
| Simply Natural Organic Rainbow Yu Sheng | 3 – 5 pax (330g) |
$22.80 | ||
| AAA Yee Sang With Abalone Bundle Pack | 8 – 10 pax (1.02kg) |
$49.80 (U.P. $50.90) | ||
| Imperial Premium Seafood Golden Yu Sheng Abalone | 3 – 5 pax (425g) |
$21 | ||
| New Moon Premium Abalone Yu Sheng | 4 – 6 pax (780g) |
$39.90 (U.P. $43.71) | ||
| Happy Family Fa Cai Yu Sheng | 6 – 8 pax (500g) |
$13.85 ($15.80) |
Hotels Yu Sheng Platters
If you’re going all out this CNY, this is something for you!
Hotel platters are typically pricier, but it’s for a good reason – they are so luxurious that you will instantly feel rich even if you have only taken a bite.
These are some popular options:
| Hotels | Name | Price | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Abundance Yu Sheng (Smoked Salmon) | Small (4-6 pax): $78
Large (6-8 pax): $88 |
Pre-order 5 days in advance | |
| Classic Abundance Yu Sheng (Abalone) | Small (4-6 pax): $98
Large (6-8 pax): $108 |
||
| Auspicious Treasure Pot (4 – 6 pax) | $298 | ||
| Harmony Salmon Yusheng (6 pax) | $88 | 25% early bird discount | |
| Auspicious Baby Abalone Lo Hei (6 pax) | $128 | ||
| Smoked Salmon, Ice Plant Crystalline Yu Sheng with Black Truffle Dressing (2-5 pax) | $138++ | — | |
| Lobster, Iced Smoked Salmon, Pomelo and Plant Crystalline Yu Sheng with Strawberry Dressing (2-5 pax) |
$168++ | ||
| Vitality Yu Sheng with Lobster, Smoked Salmon and Whole Abalone | $158.40 (U.P. $198) | 20% off now | |
| Gold Rush Salmon Yu Sheng | $118.50 (U.P. $158) | — | |
| Traditional Yu Sheng – Vegetarian | $88+ (Large) | Vegetarian | |
| Traditional Yu Sheng – Crispy Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin | Small: $99.80+
Large: $139.80+ |
— | |
| Traditional Yu Sheng – Abalone | Small: $118+
Large: $178+ |
||
| Auspicious Abundance ‘Lo Hei’ | $298+ (Large) | ||
| Salmon Yu Sheng | Regular: $88
Large: $128 |
— | |
Sofitel, Singapore City Centre |
Prosperity Abalone Yu Sheng (choice of Traditional or Yuzu Dressing) | $168++ | Self-collection is available from 1 to 24 February 2024, 11am to 6pm. Complimentary delivery for orders $500nett and above. For orders below $500nett, a delivery charge of $40 nett per location is applicable. |
| Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng (choice of Traditional or Yuzu Dressing) | $138++ | ||
| Healthy Well Being Yu Sheng | $128++ | ||
| Yu Sheng | Small (3 – 4 pax): $58.48
Large (6 – 8 pax): $83.98 |
— | |
| Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel | Wan Hao Prosperity Yu Sheng (Rock Lobster, Scallop, Irish Smoked Salmon, Yellow Fin Tuna, Caviar, Salmon Roe) |
$288 | — |
| Wan Hao Trio Treasure Yu Sheng (Abalone, Yellow Fin Tuna, Irish Smoked Salmon) | $138 (Small)
$248 (Large) |
— | |
| Abalone with Crispy Fish Skin Yu Sheng | $98 (Small)
$168 (Large) |
||
| Yellow Fin Tuna with Salmon Roe Yu Sheng | $98 (Small)
$168 (Large) |
||
| Boston Lobster with Salmon Roe Yu Sheng | $118 (Small)
$198 (Large) |
||
| Smoked Salmon with Crispy Fish Skin Yu Sheng | $78 (Small)
$138 (Large) |
||
| Jamón Ibérico Ham with Rock Melon Yu Sheng | $88 (Small)
$148 (Large) |
||
| Purple Dragon Fruit and Pear with Balsamic Caviar Vegetarian Yu Sheng |
$78 (Small)
$138 (Large) |
Restaurant Yu Sheng Platters
And for those who are looking for non-traditional Yu Shengs and possibly with an option to even build your own, some restaurants are offering Yu Sheng platters that make your CNY this year more unique than ever:
| Restaurants | Name | Price | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
Crystal Jade |
Premium Yu Sheng with Boston Lobster Tail, Aburi Scallop & Fruits | Small (5 – 7 pax): $150.42
Large (8 – 10 pax): $226.72 |
Enjoy 8% till 25 Feb 2024 |
| Reunion Yu Sheng with Norwegian Salmon | Small (5 – 7 pax): $58.64
Large (8 – 10 pax): $86.98 |
||
| Kwong Cheong Thye | Pre-packed Yu Sheng Platter | Gift set: $16.80
Treasure box: $22.80 |
|
| Din Tai Fung | Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng | $64.09 | — |
| Abundance Abalone Yu Sheng | $96.79 | ||
| Elemen | Prosperity Truffle Yu Sheng | $48.80 (3 – 5 pax) | |
| Greenwood Fish Market | Build Your Own Sheng – with base Salmon (200g) Yu Sheng with traditional vegetables and condiments | $98 (4 – 6 pax) | |
| Year of the Dragon Specialty Yu Sheng | $188 (4 – 6 pax) | ||
| Tanoke | Prosperity Yu Sheng | Small (3 – 4 pax): $48
Large (6-8 pax): $88 |
|
| Kinki Restaurant + Bar | Ultimate Kinki Yu Sheng | $88++ (4 – 5 pax) | |
| Fat Cow | Gyu Sheng | $68++ (4 – 5 pax) | |
| Bedrock Origin | Abundant Prosperity Toss | $68++ (4 – 5 pax) | Dine-in only |
Vegetarian and/or Halal Yu Sheng Platters
For non-meaty and halal options, this list is for you!
| Stores | Name | Serving | Price | Halal and/or Vegetarian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Storage Yu Sheng | Nyan Auspicious Yee Sang | 7 – 9 pax (600g) |
$15.45 | Halal |
| Tungsan Prosperous Yu-Sheng | 6 – 8 pax (520g) |
$14.80 | Halal & Vegetarian | |
| Happiness Plant Based “Prawn” Lo Hei (6 – 8 pax) | 6 – 8 pax | $78 | Vegetarian | |
| Traditional Yu Sheng – Vegetarian | Large | $88+ | Vegetarian | |
| Wan Hao Chinese Restaurant, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel | Purple Dragon Fruit and Pear with Balsamic Caviar Vegetarian Yu Sheng |
Small/large | $78 (Small) / $138 (Large) | Vegetarian |
| Din Tai Fung | Vegetarian Prosperity Yu Sheng | – | $58.64 | Vegetarian |
Yusheng Ingredients
Also, if you want to impress your friends and family with your knowledge or make your own yu sheng, here is a breakdown of the yu sheng ingredients and what they mean:
| Ingredient | You Say | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Raw fish | 年年有馀 Nian Nian You Yu | Abundance and prosperity throughout the year |
| Pomelo | 大吉大利 Da Ji Da Li | To add luck; Good luck and smooth sailing year ahead |
| Pepper and cinnamon powder | 招財進寶 Zhao Cai Jin Bao | Attract wealth and treasures |
| Oil (drizzled in circular motion) | 财原广进 Yi Ben Wan Li, Cai Yuan Guang Jin | Make 10,000 times of your profit with your capital and have countless sources of wealth |
| Carrots | 鸿运当头 Hong Yun Dang Tou | Good luck is approaching |
| Green radish | 青春常驻 Qing Chun Chang Zhu | Symbolises eternal youth |
| White radish | 风生水起 Feng Sheng Shu Qi, Bu Bu Gao Sheng | To good business opportunities and reaching a higher level with each step and progress at a fast pace |
| Crushed peanuts | 金银满屋 Jin Yin Man Wu | Household filled with gold and silver (valuable possessions) |
| Sesame seeds (added right after crushed peanuts) | 生意兴隆 Sheng Yi Xing Long | Prosperity for business |
| Golden crackers | 遍地黄金 Bian Di Huang Jin | Great wealth, floor full of gold |
| Plum Sauce | 甜甜蜜蜜 Tian Tian Mi Mi | Sweet and loving relationships |
Whether you believe in it or not, it doesn’t hurt to get all the luck we can possibly get, right?
That said, if you need a reference to Lou Hei phrases, this is something for you:
