10 great alternatives to raw fish Yu Sheng this Chinese New Year

With the recent scare over the toxicity of certain species of raw fish, it's perfectly understandable if you're more than a little put off about consuming the traditional Yu Sheng this year. We have listed here 10 delectable alternatives to the usual raw fish Yu Sheng that we're sure your family will rave about just as much!

One of the most cherished traditions of the Chinese New Year, is that of tossing the Yu Sheng as high up in the air as possible. It's a great bonding activity and is super yummy.

This year, however, with the recent scare over raw fish, are you racking your head for alternatives? We have the perfect list of alternative Yu Shengs for you that do not have raw fish and taste just as amazing, if not better.

Happy feasting!

Brazilian Lou Hei

You haven’t tried it all until you have tried Carne & Caipirinha Churrascaria’s Brazilian Lou Hei. You truly don’t get any more exotic than this dish featuring its star ingredient of thinly sliced roast beef rump. Its other unique components include farofa (cooked cassava flour with garlic and bacon), parmesan cheese, carrot, radish, pickled ginger and onions. The salad is tossed in mouth-watering chimichurri sauce and olive oil.

Go on and usher in the Monkey year with something completely different this year!

Add: Blk 106 Sunset Way, Clementi Street 12, #01-50, Singapore 120106

Tel: +65 6464 0478 / 79

Website

Prosperity Treasure Pen Cai & Abalone Yu Sheng

If you would rather avoid the messy crowds of the festive season, iChef provides restaurant-grade Yu Sheng that you can design according to your family’s preference. With 8 entire abalones in them, this is pretty good value. Experiment with the arrangement — think creatively and plate the Yu Sheng the way you want. You can even add decorations to it!

Add: Tai Seng Headquarters, 26 Tai Seng Street #01-03 Singapore 534057

Add: The Cathay, 2 Handy Road #B1-K2 Singapore 229233

Tel: + 65 64364865

Website

Mushroom Mosaic Yu Sheng

While lou hei is usually associated with a huge mess (and really, that’s part of the fun!), the chefs at Carousel would probably beg to differ.

Incorporating the appropriately selected Monkey Mushroom and blending together 8 different types of mushrooms, they have created a Yu Sheng that tastes as good as it looks! Besides the highly prized XO sauce that ties the various ingredients together fabulously, Hokkaido scallop sashimi, pumpkin, yam and sweet potato crisps make this an unforgettable alternative.

Add: Royal Plaza on Scotts Hotel, 25 Scotts Road, Singapore 228220

Tel: + 65 6589 7799

Website

Golden Eight Treasure Yusheng

So we promised you a fish-less Yu Sheng listing but we are pretty sure fried fish skin never hurt anyone! If you don’t want to run the risk but would like to stick close to tradition, this creation from The Carvery is a great option to consider for the family.

Featuring a whole medley of different flavours: sliced trout gravlax, fried fish skin, fennel, beetroot crisps, seaweed, candied ginger, crushed roasted walnuts, red radish and pickled turnips; draped with honey lemon dressing and crisp tortilla "pok chui" crackers. Are you drooling yet?

Add: Park Hotel Alexandra | 323 Alexandra Road, Singapore 159972

Tel: +65 6828 8880

Website

Crispy Eel Lou Hei

Eels are rarely seen during the Lunar New Year, but Min Jiang has decided to be creative this year and the crispy eel lou hei was born. With a stronger flavour than the normal fish, it goes well together with the smooth sauce and radish.

Add: 5 Rochester Singapore 139216

Tel: +65 6774 0122

Website

Fruit Lo Hei with Bacon and White Truffle Oil

This luxe fruit salad truly pops with colour and refreshing flavours. Created by Master Chef Goh Chee Kong of Min Jiang at One-North, julienned mango, rock melon, Japanese cucumber, and strawberries beautifully complement romaine, mixed lettuce, baby radish, carrot and radish strips. Succulent crisp bacon strips as well as deep-fried yam and potato slivers add new dimension of flavour to this annual tradition. The dressing made with plum sauce, mixed fruits and white truffle oil lends an unforgettable twist.

Add: 5 Rochester Singapore 139216

Tel: +65 6774 0122

Website

Nigiro Sweet Lo Hei

Nigiro café is the brainchild of Chef Kensuke Sakai, who holds the title of having been the youngest challenger —at age 26— to compete on Iron Chef, a famous TV culinary competition in Japan. The café specialises in Japanese-Italian cuisines, which are loved by many Japanese and Singaporeans.

Buck against the trend and opt for the Sweets Lo Hei. This special healthy rendition is a fruity delight, featuring a medley of dried papaya, dried fig, dried apricot, pomelo, dried orange and lemon skin. Fresh fruits such as strawberry kiwi, rock melon and mandarin oranges are also tossed into the mix. Great for families with young kids and leaves plenty of stomach room for more dishes during the reunion dinner!

Add: 3 Temasek Boulevard Suntec City Mall #03-315 Singapore 038983

Tel: +65 6238 1669

Prosperity Wagyu Lou Hei

Not a big fan of Yu Sheng because of its vegetable base? If you are almost carnivorous, you will definitely love NikuNoHi’s offering. A specialist in wagyu beef and yakiniku, the restaurant will be offering a special lo hei dish named Prosperity Wagyu Lo Hei this Chinese New Year. Gourmands can toss to fortune and good luck with A4 grade wagyu beef! The glorious beef slices add depth, flavour and texture to the salad base.

Add: 3 Temasek Boulevard Suntec City North Wing #03-316 Singapore 038983

Tel: +65 6837 0263

Bird's Nest and Pear Yu Sheng

How about tossing to good health this year with something really nutritious? The bird’s nest and pear Yu Sheng offering by Summer Place is not only tasty, it’s a great option for women! Enhance your feminine glow this Lunar New Year with this unique blend of tropical fruits infused with plum sauce.

Add: 1 Cuscaden Road Singapore 249715

Tel: +65 67328838

Website

Sea Whelk and Salmon Caviar Yusheng

So if you are going to have to skip the raw fish this year, might as well make yourself feel better by upping the ante with this decadent caviar Yu Sheng by Summer Pavilion. Feel the roe pop in your mouth and its juices mix deliciously with the radish and braised abalone sauce. Nobody in your family’s going to be complaining about the lack of fish with this dish.

Add: Ritz Carlton Hotel, 7 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039799

Tel: +65 6434 5286

Website