The Prosperity Toss

Last updated 31 Jan, 2024

What’s a festive season without special fare? For many South-East Asian families, yeesang (also known as yusheng or lou hei) is an unmissable Lunar New Year dish.

Yeesang cropped

Yeesang (pictured right) is made of raw fish strips (traditionally salmon or tuna) and shredded vegetables, along with a variety of sauces and condiments (depending on where you’re eating it).

For Malaysians, it’s the actions that go with preparing yeesang that are most significant. Family and friends gather to toss the salad together, a practice known as the Prosperity Toss.

The aim is to toss higher each time, while wishing each other good fortune for the year.

It’s believed the blessings are woven into the salad with each toss, before being enjoyed by all.

“We always make sure to toss it high and make as big a mess (over-spilling of the salad) as we possibly can!”
Aloysius Yeow, chef and owner, Hut and Soul Restaurant

Aloysius Yeow hutandsoul eat

Aloysius Yeow (pictured left) is chef and owner of Pulteney Street’s Hut and Soul Restaurant - just one city venue where you can enjoy authentic yeesang through the Lunar New Year.

“The higher you toss, the higher your achievements in life. The bigger the mess, the bigger the grounds all these well wishes will cover in your life.”

Make this dish at home

Preparing Prosperity Toss / Yee Sang / Yu Sheng / Lou Hei

Make this dish at home yourself with this Yeesang recipe, courtesy of Hut and Soul Restaurant. 

Print the recipe

Dish

  • ½ leek (pickled)
  • 1 cucumber
  • ½ papaya
  • 1 white ginger
  • 1 red ginger (pickled)
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 radish
  • Thin slices of fresh sashimi salmon

Topping

  • 200g crispy crackers (or fried wonton wrappers)
  • 100g crushed peanuts
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Dressing

  • ½ cup Chinese plum sauce
  • ½ tsp five spice powder
  • ½ tsp white pepper
  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  1. Slice all the vegetables into long, fine strips. Tip: Use a julienne peeler for ease.
  2. Once all the vegetables have been finely sliced, assemble by arranging them on your serving dish with the salmon slices in the middle.
  3. When ready to serve, sprinkle all the toppings over the salad, along with the five spice powder and white pepper.
  4. Finally, add the sunflower oil and Chinese plum sauce over the salad.
  5. Gather the family and friends, and start tossing together!

Discover more about Lunar New Year events and celebrations happening in the city this year.