📝 About This Recipe
Yusheng is a vibrant, multi-textured masterpiece of Teochew-style raw fish salad, traditionally tossed high into the air to usher in prosperity and good fortune. This 'Lo Hei' dish balances the pristine silkiness of sashimi-grade salmon against a kaleidoscope of crunchy pickled vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a golden plum dressing. Each ingredient carries a symbolic blessing, making this not just a refreshing crudo, but a theatrical celebration of flavor and hope.
🥗 Ingredients
The Ocean's Bounty
- 300 grams Sashimi-grade Salmon (sliced into thin, uniform strips)
- 2 pieces Lime or Calamansi (halved, for squeezing over the fish)
The Garden (Vegetable Base)
- 2 cups White Radish (Daikon) (finely shredded into long strands)
- 1 cup Carrot (finely shredded into long strands)
- 1 cup Green Radish (finely shredded into long strands)
- 1 cup Cucumber (deseeded and shredded)
- 1/2 cup Pomelo Pith (broken into small segments)
- 1/4 cup Pickled Ginger (sliced into fine strips)
The Golden Dressing
- 150 ml Plum Sauce (sweet Chinese plum sauce)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (to balance sweetness)
- 2 tablespoons Sesame Oil (high quality toasted oil)
- 1-2 tablespoons Warm Water (to thin the consistency if needed)
Crunch and Aromatics (The Blessings)
- 1/2 cup Roasted Peanuts (crushed into small bits)
- 2 tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds (white or mixed)
- 1/2 teaspoon Five Spice Powder (kept in a small red packet if possible)
- 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper (kept in a small red packet)
- 1 cup Golden Crackers (Pok Chui) (fried flour pillows or wonton skins)
- 1 handful Fresh Cilantro (picked leaves)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Begin by prepping the vegetables. Use a mandoline or a very sharp knife to shred the white radish, green radish, and carrots into long, thin strands. Soak them in ice-cold water for 10 minutes to make them extra crisp.
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2
Drain the shredded vegetables thoroughly and pat them dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture will dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
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3
Prepare the Golden Dressing by whisking together the plum sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Adjust the consistency with a splash of warm water until it pours easily but still coats a spoon.
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4
Slice your sashimi-grade salmon into thin, elegant slices. Arrange them in a circular pattern on a small separate plate and keep chilled until the very last moment.
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5
On a large, flat circular platter (the larger the better for tossing!), begin arranging the shredded vegetables in distinct, neat mounds around the center. Use the colors to create a beautiful contrast.
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6
Place the pomelo segments and pickled ginger in the spaces between the vegetable mounds. This creates a full, abundant look.
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7
When ready to serve, place the plate of salmon in the center of the vegetable ring. Squeeze the lime juice over the fish while reciting auspicious wishes for luck.
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8
Dust the entire platter with the five-spice powder and white pepper. Traditionally, these are sprinkled from red packets to symbolize wealth and health.
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9
Drizzle the golden plum dressing over the salad in a circular motion, symbolizing money flowing in from all directions.
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10
Top the dish generously with the crushed peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and the golden crackers for that essential crunch.
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11
Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves for a pop of green and a burst of herbal aroma.
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12
Gather everyone around the table with extra-long chopsticks. On the count of three, everyone tosses the ingredients high into the air together, shouting 'Lo Hei!' and sharing wishes for the New Year.
💡 Chef's Tips
Ensure all vegetables are bone-dry after shredding; moisture is the enemy of a crisp Yusheng. Use the freshest sashimi-grade fish possible; if you aren't a fan of salmon, hamachi or even abalone are excellent luxury substitutes. If you cannot find green radish, you can use shredded green apple or chayote tossed in a little lime juice to prevent browning. Keep the dressing and the fish chilled separately until the moment of assembly to maintain the temperature contrast. For the best 'crunch,' add the golden crackers at the very last second before tossing so they don't absorb the sauce.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with a chilled, off-dry Riesling or a crisp Champagne to cut through the sweetness of the plum sauce. Serve as the first course of a multi-course Lunar New Year feast. Follow this light dish with a warm, savory braised abalone or a whole steamed fish. Provide long communal chopsticks for every guest to ensure the tossing is inclusive and high-reaching. Accompany with a pot of hot Jasmine or Pu-erh tea to cleanse the palate after the sweet and savory flavors.