Best Yu Sheng with a Twist
With the Year of the Dragon fast approaching, there is only one thing on every food-lover’s mind – Yu Sheng, the colorful salad of raw fish and vegetables! No Chinese New Year feast is complete without this auspicious dish which symbolises well-wishes and yearnings for good blessings and fortune.
Each year, chefs spice up the traditional yu sheng with unusual ingredients and dressings. This year is no different. If you are looking for interesting and unique yu sheng this Chinese New Year, here are some places to check out.
“Harvest Your Riches Abundantly” Lo-Hei Yu Sheng EDITOR’S PICK!
Where: Peony Jade at Keppel Club and Clarke Quay
Price: $288++ (serves 7 to 12 persons)
This dragon-shaped Yu Sheng is not just a feast for the eyes but also for the palate! Made up of 10 premium and fresh ingredients like Australian lobsters, Australian sliced abalone, Atlantic salmon, ikan parang, sea bream, swordfish stomach, tuna fish, octopus fillets, sweet shrimps, squid fillet and topped with edible golden leaves and a secret homemade sauce by executive chef Ryan Shiu, this luxurious Yu Sheng is sure to delight and impress your family and friends. We were told that this dish takes about two hours to plate. So adore the fine culinary art piece before you toss up the “dragon” in the air.
Golden Dragon Yu Sheng MOST LUXURIOUS
Where: SzeChuan Court at Fairmont Singapore
Price: $148++ (serves 4 to 6 persons)/ $288++ (serves 7 to 12 persons)
This lunar new year, indulge in SzeChuan Court’s East meets West Yu Sheng. Instead of using the usual sweet sauce, the exquisite ingredients like swordfish, abalone, lobster and salmon is drizzled with their special blend of soy sauce and truffle oil, and sprinkled with gold dust for a metallic gold sheen to signify wealth and happiness. It’s not as sweet as your regular yu sheng. The truffle oil permeates the dish with just a light fragrance and is not too overwhelming. If you’re in a generous mood, this reunion starter will definitely impress.
Charcoal-grilled Wagyu Beef Yu Sheng MOST INNOVATIVE
Where: Peach Blossoms at Marina Mandarin
Price: $68++ (serves up to 6 persons)/ $118++ (serves up to 10 persons)
Embrace the New Year with bullish vigour at Peach Blossoms this Chinese New Year. The newly appointed Chef, Chan Shun Wong, from Hong Kong has given the traditional Yu Sheng a bold and unconventional twist. Instead of the usual raw fish and plum sauce, he replaced it with charcoal-grilled wagyu beef and drizzled on homemade Hong Kong-style sesame dressing. This is definitely a bold move by Chef Chan since there is a number of Chinese (especially Buddhists) who do not consume beef. If you want something different and unique this New Year, this dish will be a nice surprise for your family and friends.
Hamachi Yu Sheng
Where: Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel and One-North
Price: $118++ (serves 7 to 10 persons)
Toss to an auspicious new year with Min Jiang’s unique mix of ‘hamachi’ (yellowtail), flying fish roe, wasabi ebiko (prawn roe), seaweed, French chives, mesclun greens, shredded red and white carrots, Buddha’s hand citron, jellyfish, onions and pomelo. The dish is topped with their homemade taro and sweet potato crisps, pine nuts and sesame seeds to give that extra crunch and a squeeze of lime juice for that extra tang to counter the sweetness from chef’s secret sweet sauce. To ensure freshness, this dish is only available for dine-in at Min Jiang and Min Jiang at One-North.
Abalone Yu Sheng with Thai Style Sauce
Where: Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant at Carlton Hotel
Price: $98 ++ (serves 4-6 persons)
Celebrate this Chinese New Year with a twist at Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant with Thai-style yu sheng by Executive Chef Ng Wai Fong. Chef Ng substitutes the thick sweet plum sauce with a much lighter sweet and sour Thai-style sauce to dress this abalone yu sheng. The sweet and tart sauce goes really well with the ingredients such as abalone, romaine lettuce and mixed greens, shredded carrots and radish, topped with salmon roe and crispy bean curd skin. Light and healthy, this addictive dish will leave you wanting more!
