We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Yusheng?

By Angie Bates
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,493
Share

Yusheng is a colorful Chinese salad made primarily with raw fish and grated vegetables. Created in Singapore in 1964, yusheng is a traditional dish for the Chinese New Year mostly in Singapore and Malaysia. Usually considered an appetizer, the salad is symbolic of wealth, prosperity, and good luck. This dish is often eaten in a group and begins with the ritual lo hei, a set combining of ingredients and chanted phrases.

Vegetables used in yusheng are all julienned. A julienne cut consists of long thin strips that appear thickly grated. In order to julienne vegetables, a julienne slicer or a special vegetable peeler is necessary.

Since each food element in yusheng is symbolic of something, the color choices of the vegetables are important. Yams or radishes are died red and green with food coloring. White radishes are also included, as well as carrots and cucumbers. Pomela and red pickled ginger are added as well.

Traditionally, the fish served with yusheng is mackerel, but other fish, such as salmon sashimi or abalone, may be used instead. Always raw, fish is sliced into strips. Fish quality is extremely important when using raw fish in a dish since it does not undergo the cooking process to kill any bacteria or other dangerous additions that may be present in lower-quality fish.

Flavoring for this salad also includes oils and spices. Plum sauce and olive oil are the liquid elements for the dressing. Chinese five-spice powder, ground white pepper, crushed peanuts, and toasted sesame seeds are all used as well. Deep fried wontons or crackers are also placed in the dish. These wontons always have a pillow shape and are fried to a golden color.

Ingredients are first plated separately, colorfully arranged on serving platters. Individuals place the ingredients on their own plates one at a time during the lo hei ceremony. The vegetables are placed first, followed by the spices, then the fish, and finally the sauce. After each addition a different Chinese phrase is said. When all the elements are on each person's plate, the salad is tossed for luck, using chop sticks, seven times, while another phrase is chanted.

Each element of yusheng represents something, and the phrases chanted while serving the salad emphasize these representations. Pomela and carrots symbolize luck, whereas the yam symbolizes youth. Prosperity in business is represented by oil, sesame seeds, and the white radishes. General wealth, specifically gold, are symbolized by the peanuts, pepper, and wontons. The fish stands for abundance.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-yusheng.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.