Yee Sang, or “Loh Hei,” is a vibrant and symbolic dish enjoyed during Chinese New Year to usher in prosperity and abundance.
This raw fish salad is not just about food; it’s about tradition, family, and fun.
The ritual of tossing the ingredients together, shouting out auspicious wishes for good luck, signifies the rise in fortune for the year ahead.
Historically reserved for the seventh day of Chinese New Year, Yee Sang is now a staple throughout the entire festival.
While traditionally made with raw fish, variations have emerged, catering to all preferences—from fruit-based options to luxurious seafood versions.
This dish, packed with colorful vegetables, crunchy bits, and flavorful sauces, is more than just a meal—it’s an experience that brings joy and excitement to every gathering.
Whether you’re seeking a healthier alternative, a unique twist, or a quick version, there’s a Yee Sang for every taste and occasion.
What Are The 12 Steps To A Yee Sang Toss?
Here are the 12 steps for an auspicious Yee Sang Toss n important ritual during Chinese New Year to usher in prosperity, health, and good fortune.
Step 1
When everyone is gathered around the dining table, everyone offers Chinese New Year greetings.
Favorable Wishes: “Gong Xi Fa Cai” means “Congratulations on your wealth,” or “Wan shi ru yi,” meaning “May all your wishes be fulfilled.”
Step 2
It presents the Yee Sang platter. We add fish, which symbolizes abundance or excess throughout the year.
Favorable Wishes: Nian Nian you yu 年年有馀, You yu you sheng Always have more than enough
Step 3
We add the peeled pomelo pips over the fish, symbolizing added luck and auspicious value.
Good Wishes: 大吉大利 Da ji da li. I wish you good luck and good profits.
Step 4
We open the green and red paper packets of spices and sprinkle the Pepper and Cinnamon Powder over the ingredients to attract money and valuable assets.
Good Wishes: Pepper 招财进宝 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) Attract wealth and receive treasures.
Chinese 5-spice powder 五福臨門 (wǔ fú lín mén). May all good fortune be upon you and your family.
Happy Loh, Hey in the Office. Image credit: WinWin Chew
Step 5
We pour the bowl of oil out, circling the ingredients to increase all profits 10,000 times.
One of the ways to encourage money to flow in from all directions.
Favorable Wishes: Yi ben wan li and 财原广进 Cai yuan Guang jin
Peanut oil 家肥屋嫩 (jiā féi wū nèn) Prosperity and harmony at home
Sesame oil 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) May wealth pour in from all directions.
Step 6
We add carrots to the fish, signifying blessings of good luck.
Good Wishes: Carrots 鸿运当头 (hóng yùn dāng tóu) May good fortune be upon you.
Step 7
We place the shredded green radish on the fish, symbolizing eternal youth.
Good Wishes: Green radish 青春常驻 (qīng chūn cháng zhù) May you be youthful and vital always.
Step 8
We add the shredded white radish, which means prosperity in business and promotion at work.
Good Wishes: White radish 风生水起 (fēng shēng shuǐ qǐ) May your success roars like the wind and waves.
Step 9
We dust chopped Peanut bits on the dish.
Peanuts symbolize a household filled with gold and silver. Peanuts represent eternal youth and are an icon of longevity.
Good Wishes: Ground Peanut 金玉滿堂 (jīn yù mǎn táng). May your home be filled with wealth and treasure.
Step 10
Toss in Sesame Seeds to symbolize a flourishing business.
Good Wishes: 生意兴隆 Sheng Yi xing long.
Step 11
Deep-fried flour puffs in the shape of golden pillows are added with wishes that the whole floor would be filled with gold.
For the modern-day version, you may find fried wanton skin strips and even crisps in the dish.
Good Wishes: Fried Crisps 黄金满地 (huáng jīn mǎn de). May wealth and prosperity be everywhere.
Step 12
Everyone joins in and tosses the salad an auspicious seven times with loud shouts of “lo hei” 捞起 and other bright Chinese New Year wishes.
Good Wishes: Lo hei 捞起, Cantonese for “tossing luck.”
To toss up prosperity, toss seven times and shout auspicious phrases and wishes for prosperity.
For the Chinese people, consuming Yúshēng is considered auspicious in every way.
In Malaysia and Singapore, having a Yee Sang Prosperity Toss is part of Chinese New Year Celebrations.
Hotels and restaurants are in full gear to incorporate each year’s Chinese Zodiac sign into the ‘Lo Hei’ for Chinese New Year Set Dinner, a gastronomical family tradition.
All that’s left to do is invite your family and friends over or celebrate in the office for a prosperity Yee Sang toss to good fortunes ahead.
Tell Smart Dory about your favorite Yee Sang and Gong Xi Fa Cai in the comments below!
Kung Hei Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Keong Hee Huat Chye!
Source: Yusheng Prosperity Toss
