Published: January 12, 2017 | Updated: February 3, 2026
This small Yee Sang set is perfect for a mini prosperity toss at home or with close family
Yee Sang, also called Yu Sheng or Lo Hei, is a Chinese New Year dish famous for the lively Yee Sang toss. During this ritual, everyone gathers around the table, tosses the salad high, and calls out good wishes for the year ahead.
If you’ve ever wondered how to do a Yee Sang toss properly, this guide walks you through the 12 steps to a Yee Sang toss. You’ll learn what each ingredient represents, what to say during each step, and how to lead the ritual confidently at home, at office celebrations, or even in restaurants.
More than just a raw fish salad, the prosperity toss is about laughter, joy, and shared energy.
Once reserved for the seventh day of Chinese New Year, Yee Sang is now enjoyed throughout the festive season.
You’ll find classic raw fish versions alongside vegetarian, fruit-based, and premium seafood options to suit every taste.
Contents
What Are the 12 Steps to a Yee Sang Toss?
Here is a step-by-step guide to the Yee Sang tossing ritual, an important Chinese New Year tradition believed to invite prosperity, good luck, and abundance.
Step 1: Gather and Exchange New Year Greetings
Before tossing begins, everyone gathers around the table and shares festive greetings.
Auspicious wishes:
Gong Xi Fa Cai (Wishing you prosperity)
Wan shi ru yi (May all your wishes come true)
Step 2: Add the Raw Fish (Yu Sheng)
Place the raw fish at the centre of the platter. Fish symbolises abundance for the year ahead.
Auspicious wishes:
Nian nian you yu 年年有余 (May you have abundance every year)
Step 3: Add Pomelo
Sprinkle pomelo over the fish to represent added luck and good fortune.
Auspicious wishes:
Da ji da li 大吉大利 (May you have great luck and profits)
Step 4: Sprinkle Spices (Pepper and Five-Spice Powder)
Sprinkle pepper and five-spice powder to attract wealth and blessings.
Auspicious wishes:
Zhao cai jin bao 招财进宝 (May wealth come to you)
Wu fu lin men 五福临门 (May five blessings arrive at your doorstep)
Step 5: Drizzle the Oil
Pour oil in a circular motion to symbolise money flowing in from all directions.
Auspicious wishes:
Cai yuan guang jin 财源广进 (May wealth flow in from all sides)
Step 6: Add Carrots
Carrots signify good luck and rising fortune.
Auspicious wishes:
Hong yun dang tou 鸿运当头 (May good fortune be upon you)
Step 7: Add Green Radish
Green radish represents youth, vitality, and renewal.
Auspicious wishes:
Qing chun chang zhu 青春常驻 (May you stay youthful and energetic)
Step 8: Add White Radish
White radish symbolises smooth progress in business and career.
Auspicious wishes:
Feng sheng shui qi 风生水起 (May success rise like strong wind and waves)
Step 9: Sprinkle Crushed Peanuts
Lotus seeds represent wealth and good luck, added before tossing the salad
Peanuts symbolise wealth, longevity, and a household filled with abundance.
Auspicious wishes:
Jin yu man tang 金玉满堂 (May your home be filled with wealth)
Step 10: Add Sesame Seeds
Sesame seeds represent a flourishing business and growing success.
Auspicious wishes:
Sheng yi xing long 生意兴隆 (May your business prosper)
Step 11: Add Crisps or Fried Flour Puffs
Crisps symbolise gold and prosperity filling the home. Modern versions may include fried wonton strips or crackers.
Auspicious wishes:
Huang jin man di 黄金满地 (May gold fill the ground)
Step 12: Toss the Yee Sang Together (Lo Hei)
Plum sauce adds sweetness and brings all ingredients together before the big Lo Hei toss
Once all the ingredients are on the platter, including fish, vegetables, nuts, sesame seeds and crispy elements, it’s time for the final flourish.
Pour the plum sauce, often mixed with a little oil or dressing, evenly over the top.
The sauce adds sweetness and binds all the ingredients together, ready for the prosperity toss.
Everyone joins in for the Yee Sang cheers, tossing the salad high while saying Lo Hei for prosperity
Everyone then joins in to toss the salad high while shouting “Lo Hei!” and other auspicious phrases.
Traditionally, the Yee Sang is tossed seven times to invite prosperity, good luck, and abundance.
Auspicious wishes:
Lo Hei 捞起 (Toss up prosperity and good fortune)
This final step brings the ritual to life — everyone gets involved, wishes are shared, and the Lo Hei ritual is complete.
FAQ: Your Quick Yee Sang Guide
How do you do a Yee Sang toss properly?
Gather everyone, add the ingredients in order, and toss while saying “Lo Hei!”. Check the 12 steps to a Yee Sang toss above for all the auspicious phrases and meanings.
Can you do Yee Sang at home?
Yes! You don’t need a big crowd. Many restaurants offer small Yee Sang sets for 2–4 people, perfect for a mini prosperity toss at home or with close friends.
What if I do not eat raw fish?
No worries. Try smoked salmon, vegetarian, or fruit-based Yee Sang so everyone can join in the Lo Hei ritual.
Yee Sang toss is more than a dish—it’s a Chinese New Year tradition that brings family, friends, and colleagues together to celebrate abundance, luck, and joy.
Follow the 12 steps to a Yee Sang toss exactly, or put your own spin on it, the key is to toss high, say your wishes, and enjoy the moment.
Invite your loved ones, prepare your platter, and make this year’s prosperity toss one to remember.
Kung Hei Fat Choy! Gong Xi Fa Cai! Keong Hee Huat Chye!
Source: Yusheng Prosperity Toss
