Yu Sheng - Guide To Lo Hei

Yu Sheng 鱼生 A guide to enjoying the Chinese salad

Meaning Behind the Dish 鱼生(yúshēng) is a Chaozhou-style raw fish salad. It consists of raw fish mixed with shredded vegetables, condiments and a variety of sauces. 鱼生(yúshēng) means raw fish. This 2 characters sound like 余(abundance)升 (rise or increase). Hence this dish is a symbol of increase in abundance, prosperity and vigour.

What is Lo Hei? Some people might have mistaken the word Lo Heias the name of the dish. The dish name is Yu Shengor Lo Shang (in Cantonese), meaning “tossing up a good fortune”. The tossing action is called Lo Hei which means to "rise" (hei), again a reference to a thriving business. Thus its popularity with businessmen during the New Year.

When is it served? Yu Sheng is traditionally served on the seventh day of Chinese New Year. This day is also known as 人日(Ren Ri) , the birthday for humans. Nowadays, it is served throughout the New Year period and it is not surprising if one has more than one lo hei session throughout this period. With all the auspicious meaning and well wishes behind this tradition, there is definitely no harm with having more of it!

Rules and Meanings Yu Sheng is deemed auspicious because of its homonymic quality, which symbolise abundance of wealth and long life. Each of the ingredients used in the dish has a auspicious meaning behind it. During the preparation of the Yu Sheng, the waiter or waitress would typically say something auspicious as he or she adds the ingredients to the dish.

Good things to say 12 steps to Lo Hei Disclaimer: Words and ingredients used subject to change depending on restaurants, preparation style, waiter/waitress, etc.

1 All at the table offers New Year greetings. 恭喜发财　 Gong Xi FaCai meaning “Congratulations for your wealth” 万事如意 Wan Shi Ru Yi meaning “May all your wishes be fulfilled”

2 The raw fish is added, symbolising abundance and excess through the year. 年年有余　 NianNian You Yu meaning “Abundance through the year”

3 The pomelo or lime is added to the fish, adding luck and auspicious value. 大吉大利　 DaJiDa Li meaning “Good luck and smooth sailing”

4 Pepper is then dashed over the ingredients in the hope of attracting more money and valuables. 招财进宝 Zhao Cai Jin Bao meaning “Attract wealth and treasures”

5 Then oil is poured out, circling the ingredients and encouraging money to flow in from all directions. 一本万利 Yi Ben Wan Li meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital” 财源广进 Cai Yuan Guang Jin meaning “Numerous sources of wealth”

6 Carrots are added to the fish indicating blessings of good luck. 鸿运当头 Hong Yun Dang Tou meaning “Good luck is approaching”. Carrot (红萝卜) is used as the first character鸿 also sound like the Chinese character for red.

7 Then the shredded green radish is placed on the fish symbolising eternal youth. 青春常住 Qing Chun Chan Zhu meaning “Forever young”. Green radish is used as the first character青also sound like the Chinese character for green.

8 After which the shredded white radish is added - prosperity in business and promotion at work. 风生水起 FengShengShuiQi meaning “Progress at a fast pace” 步步高升 Bu BuGaoSheng meaning “Reaching higher level with each step”

9 The condiments are finally added. First, peanut crumbs are dusted on the dish symbolising a household filled with gold and silver. 金银满屋 Jin Yin Man Wu meaning “Household filled with gold and silver”

10 Sesame seeds quickly follow symbolising a flourishing business. 生意兴隆 Sheng Yi Xing Long meaning “Prosperity for the business”

11 Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows is then added with wishes that literally the whole floor would be filled with gold. 满地黄金 Man Di Huang Jin meaning “Floor full of gold”

12 All toss the salad an auspicious 7 times with loud shouts of Lo heiand other auspicious New Year wishes. I believe the higher powers are multi-lingual hence no matter which language you use for the wishes, they will come true!  The ingredients are mixed by pushing them toward the centre, an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table.

Have a fun Lo Hei! WeeKee Chia weekee@gmail.com http://weekee.posterous.com

Reference & Credits Article ,[object Object]

Yu Sheng - Guide To Lo Hei

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Yu Sheng - Guide To Lo Hei