Address: Singapore

The concept of Yusheng is something that I do not get. The modern dish of Yusheng supposedly originated from Singapore. A few decades ago, one of the 4 main Chinese restaurant chiefs in Singapore invented the dish as a promotional thingie to get more people to fork out money. Well…it worked.

Singaporeans flock to restaurants all over the island to Lo Hei ..that is to toss the Yusheng dish as a ritual for good luck. Well…I have been tossing my balls out for over 10 years and I do not really see a big improvement in my luck.

Let’s face it. Yusheng is essentially a very much glorified salad. You have the raw fish, turnip and carrot strips, which was served with condiments of oil, vinegar, sugar, plum sauce and other stuff. Sure..the serving stuff will say some lucky stanzas while introducing the various ingredients…

Then the customers get to mix and toss the ingredients into the air, mixed with shouts of “huat” ah. Most of the time, it is the restaurant owners rubbing their hands in glee and registering the sudden influx of prosperity from this Yusheng custom.

Kudos to the guy who thought of Yusheng. If the angmos can come up with the commercial festivals of Christmas and Valentine’s day, why not the Chinese with their Yusheng.

Anyway, this Yusheng took place in the comfort of a colleague’s home. Less “huat” for a restuarant owner and more for us..heh.