Yusheng is often served as part of a multi-dish dinner, usually as the appetizer due to its symbolism of "good luck" for the new year. Some would consume it on Renri, the seventh day of the Chinese New Year, although in practice it may be eaten on any convenient day during Chinese New Year (1st to 15th Day).
The base ingredients are first served. The leader amongst the diners or the restaurant server proceeds to add ingredients such as the fish, the crackers and the sauces while saying "auspicious wishes" (
吉祥话 or Jíxiáng Huà) as each ingredient is added, typically related to the specific ingredient being added. For example, phrases such as
Nian Nian You Yu (年年有余) are uttered as the fish is added, as the word Yu (余), which means "surplus" or "abundance", sounds the same as the Chinese word for fish (yu, 鱼).
All diners at the table then stand up and on cue, proceed to toss the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks while saying various "auspicious wishes" out loud, or simply "撈起, 撈起". It is believed that the height of the toss reflects the height of the diner's growth in fortunes, thus diners are expected to toss enthusiastically.
Marcus, aged 8. Pack horse, haha!
Michelle and Janice, Ps Cafe.
Michelle and Sally, House at Dempsey
Eve and Me.
at Papa Palheta again.
Birds at Raffles Hotel
Eric Clapton concert.
Joe Cheng and Karen
Daryl joined me in Singapore, He likes the heat.
We went to Croc Farm.
They are very big and scary. I kept thinking they were going to jump up and eat us.
They are breed mainly for their skins.
