Always wanted to know more about the Chinese New Year custom of 'lo hei'? Here's our guide to tossing lo hei like a local!
First off, you may even be wondering what lo hei (also known as yusheng) actually is. The easy explanation? It’s a colourful raw fish salad that is as delish to eat as it is pretty to look at. And it’s SUPER popular in Singapore during Chinese New Year. Lo hei translates in Cantonese to ‘tossing good fortune’, so you’re expected to throw that salad as high as possible before eating it. Each ingredient has a specific meaning and an auspicious saying to go with it – get a local friend to help you with your first toss at your big reunion dinner and, before you know it, you’ll be lo hei-ing like a pro.
All you need to know about Lo Hei
Where did the lo hei tradition come from?
Also known as yusheng, the lo hei dish began in China and is served differently throughout the regions. In South China, Guangxi, for example, salads are picked and mixed from sharing plates. The way we do it here in Singapore remains a bit of a mystery – it’s a hotly debated topic with popular theories about its origin. But, wherever it came from, this well-loved tradition is something you need to know about when living in this part of the world especially if you happen to be delegated the ‘lo-hei’ instigator at a CNY reunion dinner!
How do I lo hei like a pro?
While you may think a simple raw fish salad can’t be that tricky to navigate, with 12 official steps to follow before you can eat this auspicious dish, you’re going to need to know-how. First off, no need to panic: we’ve included all of the steps and a phonetic guide for those of you who haven’t managed to get beyond ‘hello’ in Mandarin yet… And secondly, it doesn’t matter what order you work your yusheng into a frenzy. Just make sure the ingredients all hit the plate at some point, and toss as high as you can!
The 12 steps of yusheng
1. Add the raw fish (often salmon, but if you want to be fancy, abalone and other fishy things will do)
Saying: 年年有余 (Nian Nian You Yu/nee-en nee-en yo uu-ree)
Meaning: May every year be filled with abundance.
2. Add something citrusy (often pomelo sacs or lime juice)
Saying: 大吉大利 (Da Ji Da Li/da gee da lee)
Meaning: Wishing you great luck and great profit.
3. Add spices (usually pepper)
Saying: 招财进宝 (Zhao Cai Jin Bao/gee-ow chai gin b-ow)
Meaning: Wishing you wealth and success.
4. Drizzle oil over the dish
Saying: 财源广进 (Cai Yuan Guang Jin/chai you-en goo-ang gin)
Meaning: May wealth pour in from numerous sources.
5. Add the shredded carrot (or any red vegetable)
Saying: 鸿运当头 (Hong Yun Dang Tou/hong uu-rin d-ang tow)
Meaning: Fortune is approaching.
6. Add the green radish (or green veggies)
Saying: 青春常驻 (Qing Chun Chang Zhu/ching choo-un ch-ang tchu)
Meaning: May you be forever young.
7. Add the shredded white radish
Saying: 风生水起 (Feng Sheng Shui Qi/fung shung shoo-ey chee)
步步高升 (Bu Bu Gao Sheng/bu bu ga-ow shung)
Meaning: May you be successful at work.
8. Next up: the peanut crumbs
Saying: 金银满屋 (Jin Yin Man Wu/gin yee-in mun uu)
Meaning: May your house be filled with gold and silver.
9. Sprinkle the sesame seeds
Saying: 生意兴隆 (Sheng Yi Xing Long/shung ee sing long)
Meaning: May your business prosper.
10. Drizzle the plum sauce
Saying: 甜甜蜜蜜 (Tian Tian Mi Mi/tee-en tee-en mee mee)
Meaning: May your life be sweet.
11. Add golden pillow crackers (our favourite part!)
Saying: 满地黄金 (Man Di Huang Jin/mun dee hoo-ang gin)
Meaning: May the floor be littered with gold.
12. Toss!
Everyone stands with chopsticks ready and tosses the ingredients into the air while saying auspicious sayings like “Huat” and “Lo hei”. Repeat seven times (or more) and toss extra high for better luck.
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!
