As Lunar New Year rolls around again, one of the burning questions for foodies is probably, which yu sheng is worth indulging in this year? While it all depends on your individual tastes, we came across a few interesting ones (in no particular order of preference) to add to your list for 2021.
Keep reading to find out which ones caught our fancy for the upcoming year of the Metal Ox!
KIN – Chef Damian’s Lo Hei Platter
Available from 8 Feb, Kin’s version is a lo hei unlike any other, and is priced at SGD48 for a small platter or SGD68 for a large one. To add a twist to the new year, Chef Damian puts his own creative spin on the traditional lo hei influenced by his years of exploration and experience in Singapore heritage cuisine. Inspired by our local dish, Rojak, which in itself reflects the confluence of various ethnicities, this refreshing lo hei comprises of white radish, cabbage, cucumber, jicama, green mango, pomegranate, pomelo, pineapple, ginger flower, sesame, peanut brittle, rice roll, and you tiao, finished with a house-made plum sauce to bind everything together in delicious harmony.
In addition, Kin presents five treasured recipes commonly presented on Chef Damian’s family table every Chinese New Year:
Hati Babi Bungkus (SGD38++)
A heady combination of minced pork, liver, coriander and homemade spices, skillfully encased in caul fat before it is twice-cooked in the oven.
Ayam Buah Keluak (SGD48++)
An iconic Peranakan dish that pairs perfectly with rice in the D’Silva household.
Pong Tauhu (SGD48++)
A comforting meatball soup with hand-made meatballs made with a medley of pork, crab, prawn and bamboo shoots, cooked in a prawn and pork broth enhanced with tau cheo.
Peranakan Otah (SGD38++)
Made with spotted Spanish mackerel, candlenut and lemongrass, and steamed to perfection and served in banana leaf.
48-hour slow-braised Itek Sioh (SGD48++)
A whole duck leg braised with dark soya sauce, coriander and brown sugar vinegar.
TABLESCAPE – Foie Gras Yu Sheng
First introduced last Lunar New Year, this variety features a housemade foie gras terrine with crispy fish skin and yuzu peel for a more luxurious mix for the year ahead.
While you are here, also check out their Afternoon Tea Set, which has been thoughtfully rearranged to include key flavours and colours of Lunar New Year. Inclusive of items such as their Cherry Cheesecake Mousse and luscious red Tomato Brioche, to Mandarin Orange Compote and zesty Mandarin Almond Cake, these festive treats join popular bites such as the Raspberry Eclair and Beetroot Cup to offer a special edition of the usual tea set.
For more info, to order or make reservations, call 6432 5566 or email Tablescape at Grand Park City Hall.
YAN – Abalone & Yellowtail with Gold Foil Lo Hei in ‘Shun De’ Style
Toss to new heights with Yàn’s Abalone & Yellowtail with Gold Foil Lo Hei in ‘Shun De’ Style (from SGD92++)!
Prepared in their signature savoury Shun De style and adorned with gold flakes, the magnificent mountain of crispy vermicelli alludes to soaring achievements and success in the year ahead, complemented by vibrant vegetables, shredded purple and yellow sweet potatoes, kailan, and pickled ginger, while slices of yellowtail fish and braised abalone herald wealth and abundance in the year to come.
For info, Shunde-style yu sheng is named after its origins in Shun De, a district in the Guangdong province. In Shun De, fishermen used to celebrate Ren Ri, the 7th day of CNY, by eating slices of raw river fish (grass carp) with soy sauce and pickles. Thus, at Yàn, the Shunde-style yusheng is served with a similar savoury profile – the dressing is made with soy sauce, lime juice, sliced lemon leaves, and peanut oil instead of the typical sour plum sauce.
Available from now till 26 February, be sure to check out their six-course Lunar New Year Family Feast (SGD88 nett per person; minimum 4 persons), which includes festive must-haves such as the classic Salmon Yusheng, succulent Barbecue Honey Pork & Roast Pork Belly, and flavoursome Steamed Black Cod Fillet with Truffle Oil and Minced Garlic.
In addition, a lavish pencai, a splendid array of sweet and savoury takeaways, and festive snacks are also available to round up the new year with, along with other auspicious dishes including a nourishing Double-boiled Fish Maw Soup, with Chicken and Cordyceps Flower, an immensely flavourful Braised Spring Chicken with 6 Head Whole Abalone, and luscious Wok-fried Local Lobster with Superior Sauce and Shrimp Egg and Ee Fu Noodles.
For more info, to order or make reservations, call 6384 5585 or email Yàn.
FENG SHUI INN – Vegetarian Yusheng with Sea Grapes and Black Fungus
Indulge in the best of prized traditional ingredients at Cantonese fine-dining destination Feng Shui Inn with a sumptuous repertoire of special dishes by the restaurant’s Hong Kong-born veteran Executive Chef Li Kwok Kwong (李国光).
Image via Resorts World Sentosa (圣淘沙名胜世界)
With two yu sheng options, Abalone Yusheng with Sea Grapes and Japanese Sakura Dried Shrimp and the Vegetarian Yusheng with Sea Grapes and Black Fungus, diners can opt for a fully vegetarian choice this year. Other dishes available at Feng Shui Inn include their Steamed Handmade Beancurd with Scallop and Dried Radish, Baked Boston Lobster with Superior Stock, and the Premium Wealth Treasure Pot made with Chef Li’s secret stew recipe using Yunnan Ham, Pork Knuckle, Dried Oyster, Dried Scallop, Abalone Sauce, Spiky Sea Cucumber from Japan and Premium Fish Maw from South Africa.
Image via Resorts World Sentosa (圣淘沙名胜世界)
Alternatively, Feng Shui Inn’s selection of set menus include the Everlasting Happiness Set Menu (金牛献瑞富贵荣华套餐) at SGD128++ per person, and the Eternal Fortune Set Menu (金牛献瑞金玉满堂套餐) at SGD288++ per person. Both set menus are available with a minimum of four diners, and are replete with tasty indulgences such as Double-boiled Lotus Root Soup with Dried Oyster, Sea Whelk and Bamboo Pith, and Sautéed Hokkaido Scallops, and Braised Imperial Bird’s Nest Soup, Fortune Claypot Deluxe with 6-head Abalone and Golden Sea Cucumber, Steamed Giant Grouper in Hong Kong Style and Sliced Roasted Chicken with Foie Gras respectively.
For more info or for reservations, call 6577 6688 or email Resorts World Sentosa.
THE GARAGE – Botanico Yusheng
One of the prettiest we’ve seen this year, The Garage’s Botanico Yusheng (from SGD68++) offers a choice of luxe Norwegian salmon or Hokkaido scallop layered on a fun little salad base to lead the way to a year of abundance! Accompanying the usual carrots, radish and pickles are additions such as couscous, house-fermented carrots, raw Japanese corn kernels, house-pickled celeriac, pomegranate seeds, truffle oil and crispy baked bacon; enriching the dish with playful modern elements that add different colours and textures.
Accompanying this toss-up is Botanico’s 5-course LNY Dinner (SGD88++) available from 11 to 13 February. The meal begins with a crunchy Duck Croquette, rolled into a ball with a rich foie gras heart. A fun twist on the usual roast duck course in Chinese menus follows in the form of a crispy-skinned Duck Breastmain course, flavoured with five-spice and served with celeriac dauphinoise, followed by the Roasted Codis featuring an Atlantic cod, skinned, then pan-seared and braised in a fish stock further enriched with butter, garlic and thyme.
As the menu draws to an end, savour a sweet, clean finish with the Roku Gin & Mandarin Sorbet. Paired with osmanthus jelly to add floralcy to the alcoholic sorbet, seasonal fruits and barley work together to add texture and a gentle fruity sweetness to the dish.
For more info or for reservations, call 9831 1106 or email Botanico.
ICHIBAN BOSHI – 6 Treasures Fruits Yu Sheng
If you love all the snacking and feasting during the Lunar New Year period, but want a cleanse without a pause, toss to good health with Ichiban Boshi’s healthy & nutritious yu sheng! With a rejuvenating mélange of 6 fresh fruits including Pomelo, Guava, Mango, Pineapple and Jackfruit, this dish is served with their signature Yuzu sauce made with ingredients from Japan so you can continue enjoying the festivities, minus the guilty calories!
Available till 26 February 2021 (2 days advance order required), this is exclusively available online at SGD56.80+ for a 6-8 pax portion, making it perfect for stay-home celebrations. Opt to pick up your festive goodies in-store or have it delivered right to your doorstep. Order yours at Ichiban Boshi to receive a set of free collectible red packets with every Yu Sheng purchased (while stocks last).
DUCKLAND – Duckland Yu Sheng
We’ve mostly heard of seafood variations when it comes to yu sheng, but here comes a heavier meaty version; ring in the New Year with Duckland’s unique version of the Prosperity Yu Sheng! Featuring a beautiful medley of fresh herbs and vegetables, such as julienned red carrots, daikon, turnip and edible flowers, as well as irresistible crunchy pork cracklings.
Topped with its signature raspberry sauce, this is easily one of the best Yu Sheng versions for those who love a tinge of fruitiness with their greens. The Duckland Yu Sheng comes with Roast Irish Duck slices and Smoked Norwegian Salmon, and is only available for dine-in at Duckland outlets. Priced at SGD48++, each order is recommended for sharing between 4 people. Visit Duckland for more info.
TIPSY BUNNY – Special Yu Sheng set
Last but not least, make your Chinese New Year extra luxe with Tipsy Bunny’s special yu sheng set, complete with uni, black tobiko, ikura and fresh salmon sashimi. Freshly prepared, this Japanese twist to a Chinese New year classic is sure to leave you in a prosperous mood for the rest of the year. There is a limited quantity to this special set so be sure to order early!
Priced at SGD158.80++, diners are required to call ahead to pre-book their yu sheng 2 days in advance via Quandoo or by sending a text to 8028 0093 with your Name, Date/Time, Party Size, and Contact Number.
* Ichiban Boshi, Duckland and Tipsy Bunny are located at various Lendlease Malls. As of 22 Jan onwards, Lendlease Plus members can beat the queue for voucher redemptions by uploading their qualifying receipts through the Lendlease Plus mobile app and have the Lendlease e-vouchers credited directly in their e-wallets. With a minimum spend of SGD50 in a single receipt, members can win up to SGD10 Lendlease Plus e-vouchers while stocks last in the sure-win in-app ‘Shake the tree of wealth’ CNY Hongbao Lucky Dip (T&Cs apply). Lendlease shoppers will also be able to redeem limited edition Lendlease red packets with every SGD68 spend in maximum 2 same-day receipts (limited to 2 redemptions per shopper per day) until 11 February 2021 (while stocks last).
