How to Lo Hei in Singapore 2026?
Lo hei belongs right alongside reunion dinners and yu sheng platters in the lineup of Chinese New Year traditions Singapore looks forward to each year. The first time many people experience a proper lo hei, the meaning becomes clear fast. This is not about tossing a salad. It is about shared wishes, raised voices, and collective hope for prosperity and good fortune.
Every ingredient carries intention, from colour to texture to flavour. Knowing how to lo hei properly and why each element matters gives the ritual weight. Knowing where to find good yu sheng in Singapore ensures the celebration starts the year on the right note.
How to Lo Hei Properly, What Each Yu Sheng Ingredient Means, and Where to Find It in Singapore for Chinese New Year
IN THIS ARTICLE
How to Lo Hei Properly?
Yusheng is the ultimate festive icebreaker. When I first witnessed this tradition, I fell in love with the "Prosperity Toss" at a local reunion dinner. I also realized that the ritual is just as important as the taste of this new year delicacy. There’s something addictive about the combination of zesty lime, silky salmon, and that shatter-crisp crunch of golden crackers. This colorful dish somehow manages to cover every taste profile. From salty, sweet, and sour to umami in a single, chaotic bite.
Deeply rooted in Chinese culture and incredibly popular in Singapore, “lo hei” (which means "tossing up fortune") is a must-have during the Lunar New Year. The lo hei toss is a choreographed ritual. To lo hei like a pro. You need to add the various ingredients in a specific order while reciting auspicious phrases. Gather your family, friends and colleagues around the table and follow these steps for a prosperous start to the year ahead:
The Opening: Start by placing the platter on the table. This new year period is all about togetherness, so offer a general phrase like Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone.
The Assembly: Add the fish for abundance and the small limes for a smooth-sailing year ahead. As you add the shredded vegetables, recite auspicious sayings that wish for eternal youth and luck.
The Drizzle: Pour the oil in a circular motion to symbolize money flowing in from all directions. Next, add the plum dressing as a sweet condiment for a harmonious and bountiful life.
The Crunch: Scatter the peanuts and crackers. These are your "gold bars" that represent a floor covered in wealth.
The Toss: This is the best part! Everyone stands up with their chopsticks to toss the salad as high as possible. As you toss the vegetable medley, you should shout "Huat Ah!" The most famous Huat shout to wish for great luck. The higher you toss, the more luck you will have in the auspicious new year.
This delicacy brings loved ones together to celebrate the origin of traditions and wish for a prosperous future.
What Each Yu Sheng Ingredient Means
Every component is a "secret weapon" for attracting good fortune for CNY:
Fresh Salmon Slices: Represents abundance and having more than enough every year.
Tobiko (Flying Fish Roe): These tiny orange eggs represent "star power" and extra wealth.
Wafu Plum Sauce: A sweet and tangy dressing for a smooth, happy year.
Pok Chui Biscuits: These golden crackers look like gold nuggets, wishing you a floor full of gold.
White, Green, & Red Radish: These represent a fresh start, staying young, and good luck coming your way.
Preserved Strips (Melon, Cucumber, Ginger, Lime, Leek): These 8 types of traditional strips represent growth, health, and counting lots of money.
White Sesame, Cinnamon, & Pepper: These are added to bring in treasures and business success.
Where to Find Auspicious Yusheng for Lo Hei Toss in Singapore?
For those looking to elevate the celebration instead of the usual options, Tajimaya Yakiniku offers a premium, Japanese-inspired rendition of the restaurant's yusheng. Our Golden Horse Prosperity Yu Sheng is a masterful blend of tradition and Japanese precision, featuring high-quality salmon and a zesty plum dressing.
The Feature: Our 2026 platter often features sashimi meticulously arranged to form the character for "Horse" (马), celebrating the strength and vitality of the year.
Sizes & Pricing: Medium (5–6 pax): $88++ Large (8–10 pax): $128++
Ordering: Available for dine-in (20-minute prep) or as a reunion take away set (requires 2 days advance notice). You can find them at VivoCity and Great World.
If you’re dining in for the full atmosphere or picking up a set for a cozy home reunion, choosing a quality platter ensures your family starts the year with abundance and prosperity.
Why Tajimaya Yakiniku Chinese New Year Yusheng is Different
If you want something better than the usual options, Tajimaya Yakiniku offers a premium version that is truly special.
1. The Art of the Horse
To celebrate the Year of the Horse in 2026, the chefs at Tajimaya Yakiniku have created a stunning visual delicacy. They carefully arrange the fresh salmon sashimi to form the Chinese character for Horse (马). This is not just a meal; it is a beautiful centerpiece that symbolizes strength, speed, and a smooth-sailing year ahead. It is a unique creative twist that you simply won't find anywhere else.
2. Premium Japanese Style
Instead of just a normal salad, this version uses high-quality Japanese ingredients. The use of Tobiko and Wafu Plum Sauce gives it a fresh, clean taste that is much better than the very sweet sauces used in other places.
3. Freshness You Can Taste
Because Tajimaya Yakiniku is a top-tier restaurant, the vegetables are extra crunchy and the fish is sashimi-grade. It is prepared fresh for you in just 20 minutes if you dine in.
How to Get It
Dine-In: Available at VivoCity and Great World.
Reunion Takeaway Set: Perfect for home. Please order 2 days in advance.
Prices: $88++ (for 5–6 people) or $128++ (for 8–10 people).
Dine-on requires a waiting time of 20 minutes.
Prices subject to GST and service charge.
Other T&Cs apply.
How to Prepare Your Tajimaya Yakiniku Yu Sheng at Home
If you have picked up a reunion take away set from Tajimaya Yakiniku, you are just a few steps away from a great meal. To make sure your food tastes just as good at home as it does in the restaurant, follow this simple guide to prep your festive dish.
1. Keep it Fresh
The most important part of this meal is the fish.
The Fridge: Put the fresh salmon and Tobiko in the fridge immediately. They need to stay cold until the moment you are ready to eat.
The Crunch: Keep the base ingredients chilled so they stay extra crispy for the toss.
The Cupboard: Keep the pok chui biscuits and peanuts in a dry spot so they stay crunchy.
2. Set the Table
About 10 to 15 minutes before your meal, gather everyone together.
Place the bright radish base on a large plate.
Arrange the items like the preserved melon and ginger strips around the edges.
Put the salmon in the middle. You can even try to lay the fish in the shape of a horse to bring good fortune.
3. The Final Touch
When everyone is ready to share their wishes, add the final items:
Squeeze the small lime over the fish for a fresh taste.
Pour the plum dressing in a circle. This represents a smooth path for the months to come.
Top it off with the golden crackers and peanuts.
4. Toss for Luck
Now it is time for the fun part! Use your chopsticks to toss the mix as high as you can. As you toss the ingredients, remember to speak your lucky wishes loudly. The higher you toss, the better your results will be!
Tajimaya Yakiniku makes your festive planning easy by offering their premium Yu Sheng for both dine-in and takeaway or pick-up. If you choose to enjoy the "Lo Hei" experience at the restaurant, your platter is prepared fresh in just 20 minutes. For those hosting a reunion at home, ensure you place your order 2 days in advance for all takeaway sets. Visit our VivoCity or Great World locations to secure your signature platter and enjoy a high-quality, memorable celebration.