|
What
We've Got
Enticing Entrées
We seek out the best
entrées in town. Then we taste and tell.
Delightful Desserts
Making good desserts is a
fine art. We try some sinful secrets.
Super Sides
We discover side dishes
that round off a meal wonderfully.
Asian Accents
We fathom out and feast
on the range of fine Asian cuisines.
Eat It
We check out places
serving or selling the food we write about.
Cook It
Learn how to make the
dishes we review, the way the pros do.
Grab It
We list the current
promos available at various outlets.
Buy It
Browse the goodies and
treats we have in store for you. |
|
Recipes
Beef Stew, Old Fashioned
Beef Stroganoff, Classic
Borscht Soup
Carrot Cake, Butterless
Chicken Curry, Butter
Cole Slaw, All-American
Dumplings, Gyoza
Minestrone Soup, Classic
Mooncake, Lotus Seed
Paella
Ramen, Tonkotsu
Turkey, Christmas
Yu Sheng, Lo Hei
|
|
| |
|
Welcome to Foodie Passion! |
|
Join us as we review
dishes from restaurants and cafes around Singapore. We will also list
recipes
of the dishes we review and other dishes.
Bon Appetit! |
|
|
|
| |
|
Yu
Sheng 'Toss Up Luck' For Abundant Propsperity |
|
|
|
Early in the Western
calendar each year, it is time for Chinese people all over the
world to celebrate Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival,
it is the most important
and biggest festivity for the Chinese. In 2008, it falls on
February 7th, heralding the
Year of the Rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac line-up.
The celebrations
last from before the big first day until the next full moon, about 15 days later.
Of the many customs and traditions to observe, the most
significant is the Reunion Dinner on the eve of the first day,
when family members and relatives will make every effort to meet
up for
at least this one time in the year, to reconnect with their kin and to feast on
traditional foods. Other rituals take place on key days
throughout the festivity period.
The
seventh day of Chinese New Year is called Ren Ri or Human Day,
which is also known as the
common man's birthday. It is celebrated, especially in Singapore
and Malaysia, by getting together to eat Yu Sheng, a flavourful
and colourful raw fish
salad. This ceremony has become so popular that it is now held
right through the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Groups of family
members and relatives, and also separately, groups of company
staff and colleagues, will gather together, stand around the
table and jointly toss with chopsticks a large serving plate of
the auspicious salad before sitting down to savour it.
The name Yu Sheng
means 'raw fish' but a different enunciation of the same words has
another meaning of 'abundant life'. So eating 'abundant life' at
the start of the new year is expected to bring abundance and
prosperity throughout the year.
The tossing of the
salad comes from the Chinese term Lo Hei, meaning 'toss and
rise', which also sounds like 'prosper more'. The term Lo Hei in turn is derived from Lo Sheng
or 'toss up luck'. Therefore, the tossing of Yu Sheng or
'abundant life' represents the activation of good fortune, as
well as that of prosperous turnover in business.
It is said that
the higher the tossing goes, the higher the level of luck and
prosperity received. The collective tossing is accompanied with
shouts of "Lo Hei!" and other propitious greetings.
Because this custom
is traditionally related to the seventh day of the festivities, each participant
tosses 7 times, pronounces "Lo Hei!" 7 times, and the dish is
made up of 7 types of ingredients, each one being an auspicious symbolisation.
The meanings
of the various Yu Sheng ingredients used are as follows:
Main ingredients:
Fish
: Abundance, Excess
Pomelo Fruit
: Luck, Abundance
Pepper
: Attraction of Money and Valuables
Oil
: Increase of Profits 10,000 Times, Money Flowing In
Carrots
: Blessings of Good Luck
Green Radish
: Eternal Youth
White Radish
: Business Prosperity, Promotion at Work
Condiments:
Peanut Crumbs : Gold
and Silver, Eternal Youth
Sesame Seeds :
Flourishing Business
Flour Crisps
: Floor Covered With Gold
Dressing:
Plum Sauce
: Halls Flowing With Gold
Other ingredients
used are candied winter melon, pickled ginger, marinated
jellyfish, mandarin oranges, citrus peel, leek, fried dried
prawns, prawn crackers, five-spice powder, cinnamon powder, lime
leaves, lime juice, rice vinegar and coriander leaves.
The main ingredient has also
gone up-market, with lobster and abalone being used.
There are even ethnic versions of the dish, such as Italian,
which uses fish carpaccio, grapefruit, tomato, olives and corn
flakes, and Thai, using catfish, papaya, mango, lemongrass and a spicy dressing.
In 1964, a group of 4 Singaporean
Cantonese chefs who were good friends and working at different
restaurants decided they
wanted to create a special dish for their customers to celebrate Chinese New Year
with.
In those days, there
was already a local side dish of raw fish slices drizzled with
vinegar, oil and sugar sold at rice porridge stalls. It was an
adaptation of a delicacy eaten to pay homage to the goddess Nuwa,
who created mankind out of clay on Human Day. The 1500-year-old
tradition originated in Southern China amongst ancient fishermen
communities and was brought to South East Asia by immigrants.
This style of raw fish is still available from rice porridge
hawkers.
The chefs took this
simple and common fare as the inspiration for their new dish. Yu
Sheng, as we know it, was born. Adoption of the dish was at
first slow, as diners were not used to eating uncooked food for
festive occasions. Neither did they expect to toss their
restaurant-bought food themselves. In time, they got
into the spirit of the season and even added the communal
rituals to the eating of the dish. And the rest is history.
Today, this delicious and healthy
culinary creation and the custom of eating
it during Chinese New Year are firmly entrenched in the culture of South East Asian
Chinese.
Although Yu Sheng and Lo Hei
are unique to South East Asia, the dish has come full circle and
has been re-exported to mainland China, where it can be found in
many Southern China cities, besides also being available in
cities around the world.
© Pat F for
Foodie Passion. All
rights reserved.
Main picture used
with kind permission of
Wikipedia
Member Nathaniel. |
|
Go to Top |
|
|
|
Chinese New Year Promotions 2008 |
|
More
Info |
CRYSTAL JADE GROUP
From 21
January to 5 February, and from 9 to 21 February.
Golden Reunion Package Golden Yu Sheng
Platter, 2
complimentary Prosperous Baby Fish Glutinous Cake, and
Golden Abalone Treasure Pot of black moss, premium dried
oysters, conpoy, superior sea cucumber, roasted duck,
preserved meat, minced carp fish paste, mushrooms, pork
knuckle, pig skin, dried beancurd skin, yam, white
cabbage, bamboo shoot, radish, fish maw, abalone,
celery.
For 10 persons $468.80++
Only on 6 February, for 10 persons $488.80++
Available at Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden
Palace and Crystal Jade.
Prosperous Reunion Package Prosperous Yu Sheng
Platter, 2
complimentary Prosperous Baby Fish Glutinous Cake, and
Prosperous Treasure Pot of black moss, dried oyster,
conpoy, fish maw, prawns, steamed chicken, minced carp
fish paste, barbecued pork, pig tongue, pork knuckle,
pig skin, fishballs, radish, lotus root, dried beancurd
skin, bamboo fungus, mushrooms, bamboo shoot.
For 10 persons $338.80++
Only on 6 February, for 10 persons $368.80++
Available at Crystal Jade Dining Place (IMM) and all
Crystal Jade Kitchen outlets.
Vegetarian Treasure Pot Package Full Moon
Vegetarian Carrot Cake, 2 complimentary Gold Bar
Glutinous Cake, and Vegetarian Treasure Pot of
vegetarian abalone, vegetarian fishballs, vegetarian
pork chops, vegetarian salted chicken, vegetarian stewed
duck, vegetarian goose, dried beancurd skin, beancurd
shoots, lotus root, white cabbage, golden mushrooms,
china kale, dried soybeans, bamboo fungus, mushrooms,
radish, yam, black moss, red dates.
For 10 persons $198.80++, including 6 February
Available at Crystal Jade Dining Place (IMM) and all
Crystal Jade Kitchen outlets.
Treasure Treats Available from 21 January to 21
February.
Gold Leaf Bo Lo Pineapple Tart $15 for 6pcs or $26 for
32pcs
Fortune Bo Lo Pineapple Tart $13 for 16pcs or $23 for
32pcs
Golden Pineapple Tart $12 for 16pcs or $21 for 32pcs
Available at all Crystal Jade My Bread outlets.
Citibank Credit Card: 15% off pineapple tarts with
minimum $28 in a single receipt.
Reservations T:
65
65120800 |
|
|
|
Jiang-Nan Chun
One Ninety
|
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL
From January 14 to February 21.
Jiang-Nan Chun Restaurant
To help you celebrate
the arrival of the Lunar New Year of the Rat, we have
put together sumptuous celebration meals. Dine in art
deco-inspired splendour and savour the culinary
specialties of Executive Chef Steven Ng, who has created
choice menus for the auspicious Reunion Dinner and the
fifteen days of New Year celebrations.
Pen Cai Big
Bowl Feast: Indulge in this gastronomic meal,
communal-style with family and close friends at the
traditional Reunion Dinner, or anytime during the
festive season. Chockfull of exotic ingredients such as
premium shiitake mushrooms, braised abalone, sea
cucumber, crispy roast pork, roast duck and succulent
prawns, all cooked together to meld the flavours, Pen
Cai is served in a claypot which may be taken away after
the meal. It is available for both takeaway and dine-in
at Jiang-Nan Chun.
Dine-In:
$118++ per person, with minimum order of 4 servings per
table. Four hours advanced notice advised.
Takeaway:
$688++ (serves 6-8 persons), $888++ (serves 8-10
persons). One day advanced notice advised.
Yu Sheng
Toss to good luck in the Lunar New Year with a
delectable and healthy Yu Sheng creation. Savour Salmon
Yu Sheng at S$48++ (small) and S$88++ (large). For added
flavours, exotic side dishes of Poached Lobster, 'Three
Head' Abalone and Superior Sharksfin may be added to the
Yu Sheng.
Set Menus
Special 8-course Reunion Dinner menus priced from
S$938++ to S$1688++ for 10 persons. Each menu begins
with an appetiser of Yu Sheng. Individual set menus also
available. From S$78++ to $168++ per person.
Festive
Gift Ideas at Jiang-Nan Chun Nian Gao, Pastries and Hampers are
available from January 7 to February 6.
The
Prosperity Box of 4 items of mandarin orange
pastries, gold ingots filled with pineapple, fortune
pastries filled with red bean paste and almond longevity
pastries are packaged in beautiful gift boxes and make
welcome gifts for friends, family and business
associates. $42.80+
Nian Gao
A traditional offering to the Monkey God and available
in Red Bean, Pandan, Corn and Coconut flavours, these
luscious cakes can be eaten fresh, steamed or fried.
$42.80+
Special
Offer A set of Prosperity Box and Nian Gao
together. $78.80+
Festive
Hampers Brimming with delicacies such as Nian Gao,
Prosperity Box cookies, home-made XO and bean sauces,
dried scallop, fish maw, mushrooms and Chinese tea.
$288+ and $388+
One Ninety A
sumptuous festive spread awaits at our Buffet Dinner,
with a complimentary serving of Yu Sheng starting off
the meal, which features a selection of Oriental soups,
Pen Cai, Teochew-style main courses and an eclectic mix
of Chinese and Western desserts. $78++ per person
Note: Only 7%
GST applies for takeaways. For dine-in, prices are
subject to 10% service charge and 7% GST.
Reservations and Orders T: 65 68317220 (JNC),
65 68317250 (ON) |
|
|
|
More Info |
HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL SINGAPORE
From 28
January to 21 February. Takeaway orders: 21
January to 21 February.
Man Fu Yuan
Restaurant Special Lunar New Year set menus
are available.
Superior
Treasures Pot This Lunar New Year, good fortune and
prosperity awaits you with treats such as Master Chef
Kong's specialty, featuring premium ingredients like
sharksfin, abalone, scallop and goose web.
Treasures
Of The Sea Pot Or start off the new year with our
chef's new creation of fresh and premium succulent
seafood.
Reunion
Dinner Menus The ideal choice for fine dining or home
entertaining showcases delectable dishes like Salmon Yu
Sheng, Double-boiled Sharksfin w/Shark's Cartilage
Consommé, and the Superior Treasures Pot.
Superior
Treasures Pot w/complimentary Yu Sheng $298 nett
Superior Treasures Pot w/complimentary Yu Sheng +
wok-fried rice $318 nett
Treasures Of The Sea Pot set $518 nett
Buddha Jumps Over The Wall $688 nett
Salmon or Ikan Parang Yu Sheng $38 nett (small), $68
nett (large)
Abalone Yu Sheng $78 nett (small), $138 nett (large)
Reservations and Orders T: 65 68251062, 65
68251059 |
|
|
|
More Info |
MARINA MANDARIN HOTEL
From 28
January to 21 February.
Peach
Blossoms Restaurant Usher in the Year of the Rat
with a resplendent spread of auspicious fare that will
delight in ways more than one. Toast to a year of good
tidings, as the chefs gear up with a multitude of
options for a bountiful year ahead.
Lunar New
Year Menus Indulge in our line-up of 8 delectable
set menus, including a vegetarian option and 80+ ala
carte dishes from the Chinese New Year-themed menu.
Lunar New
Year Goodies Our treats include 8 choices of
Yu Sheng, the traditional Nian Gao plus the new flavour
of Japanese Sweet Potato Nian Gao with Lotus Paste and
Grated Coconut, and many more delights.
Reservations T: 65 68451111 |
|
|
|
More Info |
NOODLE PLACE RESTAURANT
From 21
January to 21 February.
Lucky
Seafood Pot This Lunar New Year, Noodle Place
introduces Master Chef Tan's creation of rich
ingredients of conpoy, mushroom, abalone, fish maw, sea
cucumber, roast meat, black sea moss, dried oysters,
bamboo shoot, roast duck and young Chinese cabbage.
Other dine-in delicacies from $12.80.
Dine-in: $52.80++ for 2 pax
Takeaway: $168++ for 6 pax
Takeaway
A variety of takeaway treats are available, such
as Lucky Seafood Pot, roast meat items, Properity Yu
Sheng, and more.
Special
Offer With every $70 spent, a $10 dining voucher
will be given away.
Reservations T: 65 67333171 |
|
|
|
Hai Tien Lo
Keyaki
The Atrium Deli |
PAN PACIFIC HOTEL
Hai Tien Lo From 21 January to 22 February, herald in the
Year of the Rat with befittingly splendid feasts at this
award-winning restaurant.
Lo Hei Master Chef
Lai Tong Ping presents Chinese New Year culinary
delights including 10 auspicious Yu Shengs to toss to
good fortune and prosperous beginnings, with the
newly-created Golden Abalone and Cobia Fish Yu Sheng
(金元宝鲸龙鱼捞起), Golden Imperial Swiftlet Bird’s Nest Yu
Sheng (燕窝鲸龙鱼捞起), Japanese Hokkigai and Marine Cobia Yu
Sheng (北寄贝鲸龙鱼捞起), Norwegian Salmon and Hokkigai Yu Sheng
(北寄贝三文鱼捞起), and more.
Takeaway Yu
Sheng sets also available. From $38++
Superior
Treasures Commemorate
the Lunar New Year celebration with ambrosial delicacies
like Baby Abalone, Sea Cucumber,
Fish Maw, Scallops, Prawns w/Broccoli and Black Moss
(包罗万有发大财), Braised Superior Shark’s Fin w/Crab Roe
and Baby Abalone (珍珠鲍鱼古法蟹皇翅) and Sautéed Scallops and
Prawns in Hai Tien Lo’s signature X.O. Conpoy Sauce
(极品酱爆玉带虾球).
Reunion Dinner
Set Menus are available, showcasing signature dishes
such as Braised Abalone with Black Truffle Reduction
(菘露汁煨三头鲍鱼), Fried ‘Live’ Lobster with Spicy Corn Sauce
(金粟酱爆龙虾), more. From $78++ per person
Golden
Custard Rice Cakes Complete the
culinary experience with our delightful dessert to encourage sweetness in the New Year.
Keyaki
From 8 to 22 February.
Sashimi Yu
Sheng Platter Celebrate Lunar New Year with
fresh produce from Japan, as Master Chef Ishii presents
a luxurious array of Salmon,
Yellowtail, Abalone, Scallop, Tuna and Jellyfish, complemented with exquisite Myoga Japanese
vegetables and Japanese Ponzu Sauce. $80++ for 4
persons
The Atrium
Deli From 21 January to 8 February, indulge in
fluffy lapis cake, buttery pineapple tarts and more, to
inspire abundance and good tidings.
Kueh Lapis
Cake (Original or Pandan) 1kg $42
Kueh Lapis Cake (Prune) 1kg $48
Butter Orange Cake 1.0kg $32
Egg Rolls 100 pcs $25
Traditional Cookies (Almond, Kueh Bangkit, Cashew Nut)
200g $12
Homemade Pineapple Tarts (small) 12 pcs $14.80
Homemade Pineapple Tarts (large) 25 pcs $28
Reservations and Orders T: 65 68268240 |
|
|
|
More Info |
PRIMA TOWER REVOLVING RESTAURANT
From 21
January to 21 February.
Braised
Sliced Pig’s Trotter Yu Sheng This Lunar New Year,
Master Chef Chan Sung Og of Prima Tower gives the
traditional raw fish salad an innovative makeover.
Master Chef Chan ingeniously replaces raw fish with
succulent sliced pork trotters to provide a tantalising
alternative to the conventional Yu Sheng. $48++, $68++,
$88++
Lunar New
Year Set Menus For a complete reunion feast with
your family, take your pick from the six auspicious set
menus of scrumptious Beijing cuisine. Each set menu
caters for 6 to 10 persons. From $438++ to $2288++
Special
Offer With every $500 spent, a $50 dining voucher
will be given away.
Reservations T: 65 62728822 |
|
|
|
More Info |
THE REGENT SINGAPORE
Summer
Palace Restaurant Usher in the
Year of the Rat with a feast of Chinese New Year
specialties at our award-winning
Cantonese cuisine restaurant. A spectacular
array of 10 specially-crafted festive menus awaits.
Highlights are
Summer Palace Prosperity Yu Sheng, Barbecued Whole
Suckling Pig and Braised Three Head Fresh Abalone with
Vegetables in Oyster Sauce.
Lunar New
Year Dessert All menus
include the utterly irresistible and must-have Pan-Fried Traditional Brown Sugar
Glutinous Flour Cake.
From $728++
for 10 persons.
Reservations T: 65 67253288 |
|
|
|
More Info |
TEOCHEW CITY SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
From 21
January to 21 February.
Bountiful
Yu Sheng This welcome departure from the
traditional salad dish was created by Master Chef Tong
especially for the Lunar New Year. Starring in this dish
is a generous medley of premium-grade abalone along with
three fish varieties - salmon, sword fish and tilapia,
signifying life and abundance in the coming years. $60
and $120
Lunar New
Year Set Menus For a complete reunion feast with
your family, take your pick from the nine auspicious set
menus. Each set menu caters for 4 to 10 persons. From
$238++ to $1288++.
Special
Offer With every $588 spent, a $50 dining voucher
will be given away.
Reservations T: 65 67333338 |
|
|
|
More Info |
XI YAN
Gold
Lunch Menu 8 courses, min of 4 pax, $108 ++ per pax
Signature Yu Sheng (octopus, salmon, yellowtail) and
golden oyster nuggets, stir-fried kimchi prawns
w/Shanghai Nian Gao, crispy spareribs w/preserved
tangerine peel, golden roe glutinous rice w/steamed
crabs, braised radish w/salmon roe in superior abalone
sauce and furong chicken, fish maw soup, chilled
fragrant lotus seed sweet paste.
Silver Lunch Menu 8 courses, min of 4 pax, $88 ++
per pax
Signature Yu Sheng (octopus, salmon, yellowtail) and
crispy spareribs w/preserved tangerine peel, Japanese
greenhouse tomatoes in wasabi sesame sauce, stir-fried
kimchi prawns w/Shanghai Nian Gao, steamed garoupa in
pickled olive black bean sauce, braised radish w/salmon
roe in superior abalone sauce and furong chicken soup,
chilled fragrant lotus seed sweet paste.
Gold
Dinner Menu 12 courses, min of 8 pax, $148 ++ per
pax
Signature Yu Sheng (octopus, salmon, yellowtail),
braised baby abalone in sake and superior broth, golden
oyster nuggets, Japanese greenhouse tomatoes in wasabi
sesame sauce, steamed garoupa in pickled olive black
bean sauce, stir-fried kimchi lobsters w/Shanghai Nian
Gao, crispy spareribs w/preserved tangerine peel, golden
roe glutinous rice w/steamed crabs, mandarin orange
sorbet intermezzo, furong chicken, fish maw soup,
braised radish w/salmon roe in superior abalone sauce,
chilled fragrant lotus seed sweet paste.
Silver Dinner Menu 12 courses, min of 6 pax, $128
++ per pax
Signature Yu Sheng (octopus, salmon, yellowtail),
braised abalone slices and radish in superior abalone
sauce, crispy spareribs w/preserved tangerine peel,
Japanese greenhouse tomatoes in wasabi sesame sauce,
stir-fried tofu in golden yolk sauce, steamed garoupa in
pickled olive black bean sauce, stir-fried kimchi prawns
w/Shanghai Nian Gao, golden roe glutinous rice w/steamed
crabs, mandarin orange sorbet intermezzo, furong
chicken, fish maw soup, young & old happy news, chilled
fragrant lotus seed sweet paste.
Chef’s Special Dinner Menu 12 courses, min of 6 pax,
$108 ++ per pax (served on 5 February, and 11 February
onwards)
Signature Yu Sheng (octopus, salmon, yellowtail),
braised radish w/salmon roe in superior abalone sauce,
crispy spareribs w/preserved tangerine peel, Japanese
greenhouse tomatoes in wasabi sesame sauce, stir-fried
tofu in golden yolk sauce, Sichuan salivating chicken
with century eggs, stir-fried kimchi prawns w/Shanghai
Nian Gao, steamed garoupa in pickled olive black bean
sauce, mandarin orange sorbet intermezzo, furong chicken
soup, young & old happy news, chilled fragrant lotus
seed sweet paste.
Reservations T:
65
62203546 |
|
|
|
|
|
Go to Top |
|
| |
|
Recipes |
|
 |
Lo Hei Yu Sheng
This
healthy, colourful delicacy of South East Asia, eaten
during Lunar New Year celebrations, is easy to make.
Here is a rich concoction of this home-grown dish.
Recipe from
Susan Chua of Singapore. |
|
Article: Yu Sheng |
|
|
| |
|
Go to Top |
|
|
|
Promotions |
|
 |
GIRAFFE
• Giraffe's
Hours on Sun to Thu 5.00p-8.00p: 10% off alcoholic
beverages
•
Complimentary Bar Snack with minimum spend of $25 on
alcoholic beverages
|
|
More info |
|
|
|
|
VIET LANG
• AMEX, OCBC,
UOB Card Holders: 15% Off Ala Carte Food Bill
• OCBC: Or
Complimentary Hse Pour Wine for Minimum $200+++ Ala
Carte Order
• OCBC: Card
Holder B'day: Complimentary 4th Entree for 3 Paid
Entrees
• UOB: Or
Complimentary $20 Dining Voucher for Minimum $120+++
ACarte Order
• UOB: Card
Holder B'day: Complimentary Bottle Hse Pour Wine except
on Hols
|
|
More info |
|
|
|
 |
BOBBY'S TAPROOM
• 3-course Set Lunch:
Vegetarian $25, Silver $24, Gold $28, Ruby $34
• Dinner Set:
$48 nett
• 1-for-1
Cocktails and House Pour Spirits
• Happy Hour
All Night Long
|
|
More info |
|
|
|
|
DEVI FUSION
• Free Flow of
BBQ Kebab And Beer for $29.90+++, 6.00p-8.30p
|
|
More info |
|
|
|
| | |
