Every year, most of the Chinese, we do know how to eat Yu-Sheng, but does anyone know the real meaning of each ingredients on the dish itself? In fact, Yu Sheng has a very special story behind it.
Source Picture:http://web.singnet.com.sg/~mcgpl/yu_sheng.htm.
According to source NLB, this is how the origin started.
Once upon a time in Southern China, legend has it that this young man and his girlfriend, found themselves stranded by bad weather at a temple with nothing to eat but a carp they had caught. Chancing Chancing upon a bottle of vinegar, they added this to the stripped carp and found it quite appetising. Today’s colourful version of Yusheng and the practice of eating it on the seventh day of Chinese New Year appears to be unique to Malaysia and Singapore. Four local chefs are credited for developing Yusheng as we know it today. They named the dish “Lucky Raw Fish” and popularised it as a New Year delicacy. The chefs are Lau Yeok Pui and Tham Yui Kai, master chefs at Lai Wah Restaurant along Jalan Besar, and their good friends Sin Leong and Hooi Kok Wai. They had previously been colleagues at the Cathay Restaurant at Cathay Building.
Ingredients and its meaning:
1) The Fish (Usually Salmon or Mackerel fish), symbolises abundance or excess through the year.
- 年年有余, 有余有生
2) Strips of Pomelo, adding over the fish, symbolises adding both luck and auspicious value.
- 大吉大利
3) Pepper, is then dashed over the ingredients which symbolises more money and valuables.
- 招财进宝
4) Oil is poured out, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times and encouraging money to flow in from all directions.
- 一本万利, 财源广进
5) Strips of Carrots, which symbolises blessings of good luck.
- 红运当头
6)Shredded Green Radish, symbolises eternal youth.
- 青春常驻
7)Shredded White Radish, which symbolises prosperity in business and promotion at work.
- 风生水起, 步步高升
8)Peanut Crumbs, which symbolises a household filled with gold and silver. As an icon of longevity, peanuts also symbolise eternal youth.
- 金银满屋
9)Sesame seeds ,symbolising a flourishing business.
- 生意欣荣
10)Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows, which symbolises the whole floor would be filled with gold.
- 片地黄金
*Credits to Sam and Rachel for helping me convert the chinese words (;
Lastly, the ingredients mixed by pushing them toward the centre, an encouragement to push on the good luck of all at the table.
Happy Chinese New Year to all (=
Cheers,
Ben (;