Toss! To A Prosperous New Year (Lo Hei Yu Sheng)

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel - CNY Takeaways 2023 - The Capitol Kempinski Yu Sheng Platter

What is Lo Hei Yu Sheng and what is its significance? 

One of the customs surrounding Lunar New Year in Singapore is the tossing of Yu Sheng, or colloquially known as 'Lo Hei' (捞起). Yu Sheng (鱼生) translates to raw fish, and is a homophone for increasing abundance (余升). The tossing of Yu Sheng hence symbolises the welcoming of greater prosperity and wealth into the new year. 

A Yu Sheng platter is a medley of shredded vegetables and raw fish, typically salmon, topped with condiments and sauces. From salmon and pomelo to crushed peanuts, golden crackers and more, each ingredient has an accompanied meaning and represents an auspicious wish for the new year ahead. Scroll down to the end to find out more! 

The Capitol Kempinski Hotel's Yu sheng Platter is a must-have and comes laden with Norwegian Salmon, vegetable slaw, kiwi vinaigrette. You may further customise the platter with indulgent add-on options including Hiramasa kingfish, Hokkaido scallop, Maine lobster and Australian Abalone, for an extra dose of prosperity. 

How to do the prosperity toss? 

First, prepare the ingredients of the Yu Sheng individually and get a large, round dish ready. Slowly add the ingredients onto the plate one by one in a specific sequence while you recite the corresponding blessings of joy, luck and prosperity at the same time (more instructions below). Once all the ingredients have been poured onto the plate, stand around the table and have a pair of chopsticks ready for everyone.

Then, reach in and toss the ingredients into the air, up high! It is believed that the higher the toss is, the greater the return of your prosperity. For extra luck, toss for seven times while saying "Huat Ah!" (prosper!)

Ingredient What to Recite Meaning
Raw fish

年年有余
Nian Nian You Yu

Abundance every year
Pomelo 大吉大利
Da Ji Da Li
Great prosperity, fortune and luck 
Spices such as pepper 招财进宝
Zhao Cai Jin Bao
Attract great wealth and treasures into your life
Oil 

财原广进
Cai Yuan Guang Jin

For money and wealth to flow into your life from all directions
Shredded carrot

鸿运当头
Hong Yun Dang Tou

The inevitable arrival of good fortune in your life 
Shredded green radish 青春永驻
Qing Chun Yong Zhu
Eternal youth
Shredded white radish 步步高升
Bu Bu Gao Sheng
风生水起
Feng Sheng Shui Qi
Success at work, to achieve greater heights in all your undertakings
Sesame seeds & peanuts 金银满屋
Jin Yin Man Wu
生意兴隆
Sheng Yi Xing Long
For wealth at home and for your business to flourish 
Golden crackers 遍地黄金
Bian Di Huang Jin
May the floor be littered with gold (representing more wealth than you can ever spend) 
Plum sauce 甜甜蜜蜜
Tian Tian Mi Mi
A sweet and loving relationship between family members and couples