Lo Hei - 12 Steps to enjoy Yu Sheng

Kuala Lumpur - It is this time of the year, where shouts of congratulations, success are mentioned to one another...as we dug into our delicious Yu Sheng.  This is a dish invented in Singapore and Malaysia and enjoyed but many chinese families around the world.

The rituals
Yusheng in chinese with yu means "fish" but sounds to another chinese word that means "abundance", while sheng literally means "raw" but sounds appropriately, it means "life". Thus Yusheng implies "abundance of wealth and long life". In Cantonese, it is known as lo sheng with lo also meaning "tossing up good fortune". The tossing action is called lo hei, which means to "rise" (hei), again a reference to a thriving business and thus its popularity with businessmen during the New Year.


Step 1: All at the table offer New Year greetings.
Words mentioned: Gong xi fa cai meaning "congratulations for your wealth" or wan shi ru yi meaning "may all your wishes be fulfilled".


Step 2: Fish, symbolising abundance or excess through the year, is added.
Words mentioned: Nian nian you yu and you yu you sheng.


Step 3: The pomelo is added over the fish, adding both luck and auspicious value.
Words mentioned: Da ji da li.


Step 4: Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables.
Words mentioned: Zhao cai jin bao.


Step 5: Then oil is poured, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times and to encourage money to flow in from all directions.
Words mentioned: Yi ben wan li and cai yuan guang jin.


Step 6: Carrots are added to the fish, indicating blessings of good luck.
Words mentioned: Hong yun dang tou.


Step 7: Shredded green radish is placed on the fish, symbolising eternal youth.
Words mentioned: Qing chun chang zhu.


Step 8: Shredded white radish is added for prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Words mentioned: Feng sheng shui qi and bu bu gao sheng.


Step 9: The condiments are finally added. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish, symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
Words mentioned: Jin yin man wu.


Step 10: Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business.
Words mentioned: Sheng yi xing long.


Step 11: Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows are then added with wishes that literally translate to mean the whole floor would be filled with gold.
Words: Pian di huang jin.


Step 12: All toss the salad an auspicious seven times with loud shouts of lo hei and other auspicious New Year wishes.
Words: Lo hei which is Cantonese for "tossing luck".


The ingredients are mixed by pushing them toward the centre, an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table.