Like many other events in these covidious times, the arrival of the Year of the Ox is going to look and feel a little (okay, a lot) different in 2021, what with the spectre of the pandemic still looming large over the nation. Heck, it’s even going to sound different this year, as the typically boisterous Lunar New Year celebrations get, quite literally, toned down.

Gone are the cymbal clashes and drumbeats of the once-routine dragon dances; gone are the peals of laughter from houses packed to the rafters with family and friends; and gone are the raucous choruses of “nian nian you yu” and “bu bu gao sheng”, on account of the recently tightened COVID-19 rules.

Thankfully, though, there’s still all that festive feasting to look forward to. Although you can’t holler “huat ah!” to your heart’s content while you lo hei at the reunion table, you can certainly sate your appetite with the scrumptious CNY staple that is yu sheng. Better yet, we’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up 16 of the most moreish renditions to add to your menu this ox-picious season, whatever your tastes (and budgets) may be.

For the purist

If you shudder at the thought of newfangled nosh that deviates from the tried-and-tested path, these yu sheng options are sure to please even the staunchest of sticklers for tradition.

READ: Chinese New Year 2021 Survival Guide

Cassia

Well-known for serving up fine Cantonese fare that strikes a thoughtful balance between traditional recipes and haute techniques, Cassia doesn’t disappoint with its Prosperity Lou Hei, comprising quality ingredients such as ocean-fresh salmon and tangy kumquat sauce.

Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa, Singapore 098 297. Visit the hotel’s website or call 6591 5045 to find out more

Lai Wah Restaurant

Laying claim to the title of the first-ever restaurant to serve yu sheng (although that’s up for debate), Lai Wah’s Chinese New Year Yu Sheng includes the requisite shredded vegetables, assorted pickles, crushed peanuts and spices, along with the optional toppings of abalone and crunchy pok chui crackers.

#01-1436, Block 44 Bendemeer Road, Singapore 330 044. Call 6294 9922 or 6298 4460 to find out more.

Standing Sushi Bar

In recent years, salmon has far outstripped grass carp and wolf herring as the fish of choice in yu sheng, and it doesn’t get much better than the thick-cut slices of sashimi-grade salmon that crown the colourful Wealth and Abundance Platters by the Standing Sushi Bar.

#B2-47, Marina One, 5 Straits View, Singapore 018935 and #01-04, Odeon Towers, 331 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188 720. Visit standingsushibar.com to find out more.

Din Tai Fung

The crowd-favourite dumpling purveyor is offering its Prosperity Smoked Salmon Yu Sheng again this year, incorporating Norwegian smoked salmon, pomelo pulp, crispy yam strips and homemade plum sauce on a bed of white radish, carrot and cucumber.

Multiple outlets. Visit dintaifung.com to find out more.

Don Don Donki

Affordable and enticing, Don Don Donki’s yu sheng comes in five variations – plain, vegetarian, salmon, scallop, or medium fatty tuna and sea bream – and costs just $40 and under.

Pre-order in-store at all eight Don Don Donki outlets.

For the adventurous eater

If no food is off-limits to you, even the potentially lethal pufferfish aka fugu, then you’ll want to try one (or all) of these unique and unusual takes on yu sheng.

READ: How to Make the Most Out of the Upcoming Chinese New Year

Peach Garden

Dubbed the “Heng Heng” Million Dollar Yu Sheng, this CNY centrepiece is nothing short of a showstopper. A giant golden cracker dome can be smashed open with a mini hammer to reveal a mélange of delectables like lobster, wagyu beef, baby abalone and salmon, as well as a few big sweep tickets for that extra dose of huat in the new year.

Multiple outlets. Visit peachgarden.com to find out more.

Madame Fan

Boasting a long list of indulgent ingredients that includes Alaskan king crab, Boston lobster, Hokkaido scallop, bluefin tuna and abalone, Madame Fan’s Treasures of Sea Yu Sheng is both delicious and auspicious.

The NCO Club, 32 Beach Road, Singapore 189 764. Visit madamefan.sg or call 6818 1921 to find out more.

Yàn

Prepared in the style of Shun De (a district in Guangdong, South China), the extraordinary yu sheng from Yàn features a mountain of crispy vermicelli encircled by a moat of julienned purple and yellow sweet potato, kailan and pickled ginger, and strewn with yellowtail slices and edible gold flakes.

#05-02, National Gallery Singapore, 1 Saint Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178 957. Visit yan.com or call 6384 5585 to find out more.

Si Chuan Dou Hua

Bringing back its signature fugu yu sheng to mark the Year of the Ox, Si Chuan Dou Hua pairs expertly prepared slivers of pufferfish with crunchy bittergourd, fresh greens and a honey-based dressing in a winning combination that will tickle your tastebuds.

#06-01, UOB Plaza 1, 80 Raffles Place, Singapore 048 624. Visit sichuandouhua.com or call 6535 6006 to find out more.

Basilico

To describe Basilico’s East-Meets-West Yu Sheng as innovative would be quite the understatement. Alongside the standard shredded carrots, pickled ginger and pok chui crackers, you’ll find Amalfi lemon-poached baby scallops, Avruga caviar, Norcia black truffles, applewood smoked salmon and porcini mushrooms in the mix, drizzled over with plum sauce, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This ain’t your ah ma’s yu sheng, that’s for sure.

Level 2, Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249 715. Visit the hotel’s website or call 6725 3232 to find out more.

Picanhas

Giving a meaty twist to the prosperity toss, Picanhas introduces the Gyusheng to its Lunar New Year lineup, where a 400g hunk of tender steak sits atop a base of mandarin oranges, pineapple, red grapes, pomelo, daikon and cashew nuts, complemented by a smoked chrysanthemum butter glaze.

90 Club Street, Singapore 069 458. Send a direct message via Picanhas’ Facebook or Instagram page to place an order.

For the health-conscious

If you find it difficult to stick to the “everything in moderation” mindset when surrounded by pineapple tarts, love letters, bak kwa and kueh lapis legit (we don’t blame you), these healthful versions of yu sheng will help you to balance out your diet without sacrificing taste.

READ: Delectable Festive Treats to Share with Your 8 Visitors This Chinese New Year

Auntie’s Wok and Steam

The name says it all – the Andaz Healthy Yu Sheng sees Scottish smoked salmon tossed together with superfood fruits and vegetables such as kale, beetroot and green apple, as well as flaxseeds, chia seeds and sunflower seeds.

Level 25, Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189 354. Visit the hotel’s website or call 6408 1288 to find out more.

Crystal Jade Palace

Banish the notion that healthy food means bland food with the Season of Wealth Golden Scallop Yu Sheng by Crystal Jade Palace. Fresh produce and house-made pickles are elevated by the addition of red dragonfruit, watermelon, pomelo, burdock, quinoa, crispy rice, walnuts and more, and garnished with salmon roe, lightly torched scallops and an olive oil-based dressing for good measure.

Available at Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace and Crystal Jade Dining In. Visit crystaljade.com to find out more.

Chopsuey Cafe

A vibrant blend of colours and flavours, the Lucky Lunar Lo Hei brings together trout, kale, celeriac, sprouts, red radish, blueberries and wild rice for a salubrious start to the new year.

#01-23, Block 10 Dempsey Road, Singapore 247 700. Place your order here.  

Feng Shui Inn

Fish is central to the Chinese New Year menu as a symbol of abundance and wealth, but what happens when you’re following a plant-based diet? Worry not, because Feng Shui Inn has got you covered. Executive Chef Li Kwok Kwong and his team have come up with an intriguing alternative to traditional yu sheng that uses a vegetarian fish substitute, along with sea grapes and black fungus.

#BM1-125 to -127, Resorts World Sentosa, 26 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098 138. Call 6577 6599 or 6577 6688 to find out more.

Neo Garden

You’ll be spoilt for choice with Neo Garden’s wide array of prosperity toss platters, but we especially like the sound of the Rainbow Fruits Yu Sheng, where mandarin oranges, strawberries, lychees and other seasonal fruit provide a pleasingly sweet contrast to the medley of fresh vegetables and zesty orange plum sauce.

Visit neogarden.com to find out more.

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