time really flies... since its nearing CNY, one of my favourite holidays (cant wait), i did some research with my partner for our school project on singapore's Yu Sheng, here it goes...
In Singapore, we have a dish that is only available during the Chinese New Year period. It is traditionally served on Ren Ri (Everyone’s Birthday), the 7th day of the Chinese New Year due to the Chinese superstitions and beliefs that humans were created on that day. Some of you may have already guessed it, yes, it is none other than the popular -Yu Sheng.
There are several symbolic meanings behind this dish. Its name, Yu Sheng means ‘raw fish’ and with homophones and some enunciation, it is often interpreted as ‘abundance of wealth and long life’. The tossing action, known as Lo Hei, means to ‘rise’ in reference to a thriving business. Therefore it is also very popular with businessmen.
The original dish originated from Guangdong, China wasn’t very ‘colourful’ as it consisted of only turnip, fish and carrot strips and was served with oil, vinegar and sugar.
In the 60s, part of a promotional gimmick for their restaurants, Singapore’s very own four ‘Heavenly Kings’ of the restaurant scene - Lau Yoke Pui, Than Yu Kai, Sin Leong and Hooi Kok Wai improvised the dish and added more ‘colour’. Hence, the Yu Sheng we eat today is filled with variety of colours.
The ingredients are arranged on a large plate include raw fish, shredded green and white radish, carrots, pickled ginger, crushed nuts and pomelo. These ingredients are topped with deep-fried flour crisps, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, cinnamon, pepper and other spices. When all the ingredients are added together, all will stand where they begin the ritual of ‘Lo Hei’ by mixing all these ingredients while shouting auspicious greetings for a prosperous new year
Here are some of the prosperous greetings while mixing the salad or better known as ‘Lo Hei’:
Gong Xi Fa Cai - Wishing you a big windfall (striking lottery)
Wan Shi Ru Yi – May success comes your way
Nian Nian You Yu – Prosperity and abundance
Da Ji Da Li – Victory in whatever you do
Zao Cai Jin Bao – Good fortune and wealth to you
Cai Yuan Guang Jing - May wealth comes your way.
Hong Yun Dang Tou – May the lady luck shines on you.
Bu Bu Gao Sheng - May you rise in status
Yusheng as an International Cuisine
The restaurants in other countries such as Vietnam, New York, Australia Indonesia and London, have also developed an appetite for Yu Sheng and created different varieties to suit their taste buds and food culture. In Thailand, Yu Sheng is made using fish, vegetables, pomelo, lemongrass, papaya, mango and Thai herbs.
For people who missed eating Yu Sheng, you can get it in Duty Free Shop in Changi Airports as they are available in packets for tourists to buy as gifts.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
lets blast!
HAPPY new year!! 2009! i emphasized happy. here is making one of my new year's resolution come true! my first blog!
i have been pushing this back for a couple of years now but i guess its about time i embrace social media. my first blog!
what also inspired me to start a blog is also partly due to school. we are required to post up blog post that are also homework. its an interesting concept. i will also be publishing a couple of my work and stuff that i like on this blog.. em to make it more interesting maybe a couple of juicy gossips?
my new year resolution is and not limited to the following:
1) travel. i would really love to go to japan again since i went last year with my parents. it was a blast a totally different culture. i need to embrace it
2) learn a new language. currently i am well versed in english and mandarin. i have always wanted to learn japanese and lately a strong desire to pick up korean. partly its due to the korean wave. its sweeping me up as well. oh well cant help it i'm light.. haha
3) find a new job. i have been stayin on in my job for close to 2 years plus now. its about time. i my context, its not healthy to stay in job for so long. things start to get too safe, you start to get lazy, you procrastinate more, you think you know your work and start to wiggle your way out of things. NO. i dont wanna end up like those people! so since i am going to finish my part time studies in 2010, its high time i start to find a job before i become over dued.
well, they say three's a crowd. i shall not be so ambitious to post like a whole long list of resolutions and look back at the end of the year thinking damn! i didnt do this i didnt do that. well its keep it short and last but not least, hopefully i can keep up posting on my blog
i have been pushing this back for a couple of years now but i guess its about time i embrace social media. my first blog!
what also inspired me to start a blog is also partly due to school. we are required to post up blog post that are also homework. its an interesting concept. i will also be publishing a couple of my work and stuff that i like on this blog.. em to make it more interesting maybe a couple of juicy gossips?
my new year resolution is and not limited to the following:
1) travel. i would really love to go to japan again since i went last year with my parents. it was a blast a totally different culture. i need to embrace it
2) learn a new language. currently i am well versed in english and mandarin. i have always wanted to learn japanese and lately a strong desire to pick up korean. partly its due to the korean wave. its sweeping me up as well. oh well cant help it i'm light.. haha
3) find a new job. i have been stayin on in my job for close to 2 years plus now. its about time. i my context, its not healthy to stay in job for so long. things start to get too safe, you start to get lazy, you procrastinate more, you think you know your work and start to wiggle your way out of things. NO. i dont wanna end up like those people! so since i am going to finish my part time studies in 2010, its high time i start to find a job before i become over dued.
well, they say three's a crowd. i shall not be so ambitious to post like a whole long list of resolutions and look back at the end of the year thinking damn! i didnt do this i didnt do that. well its keep it short and last but not least, hopefully i can keep up posting on my blog
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