Yee Sang is a raw fish salad that originated in Singapore and is popular in both Singapore and Malaysia. It is a symbol of prosperity and abundance, and is normally served as an appetizer during a Chinese New Year Feast. The dish is served with raw fish, shredded daikon, jicama, carrots, pickled ginger, pomelo, fried shredded taro and wanton wrappers. Other ingredients include toasted peanuts, sesame seeds, five-spice powder, cilantro, and jellyfish. The vegetables are dressed with a sauce consisting of plum sauce, apricot jam, honey, and sesame oil. Depending on the person preparing the dish, the combination of vegetables and sauce mixes may vary but the idea is to have shredded crunchy vegetables, garnish with crisps, and dressed with a sweet sour sauce.
Everyone at the table stands up to toss the salad vigorously while making auspicious wishes. It is believed that the more vigorous the toss, the better the new year!
Some of the other dishes in the feast…..
“Siew Yoke” or Crackly Pork
“Chai Choy” or Vegetarian Dish
Vegetarian breakfast on Chinese New Year morning…..Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Anncoo says
February 15, 2010 at 2:18 amHappy Lunar New Year 新年快乐！
Biren says
February 15, 2010 at 3:23 amAnncoo – Thanks and a very happy one to you as well!
MaryMoh says
February 16, 2010 at 11:39 amEverything here looks very delicious. Happy Chinese New Year!
DongXing says
February 16, 2010 at 12:59 pmGong Xi Gong Xi. Happy New Year! I did the same Yee Sang with my family and another family on Sunday 14th. It was a double celebration as well – my husband's big number birthday (I shan't mention his age here, he's a bit depressed). Everyone loved the tossing bit and all 4 adults loved the eating bit as well. 2 of the kids loves the tossing and the other two youngest kids did not like all the vegetables in it. All in all, it was delicious and a rare treat indeed.
Biren says
February 16, 2010 at 1:17 pmMaryMoh – Thank you and a Happy Chinese New Year too!
DongXing – Yes, everyone loved the tossing and eating of course! It is indeed a rare treat! Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Joy says
February 18, 2010 at 2:33 pmohmygosh this is amazing! I've never had a salad like this it looks interesting for sure. My mom would make the vegetarian dish a lot when I use to live at home, it was so delicious. Okay this post is making me really hungry…poo shouldn't have read food blogs before breakfast. Gong Xi Fa Cai!!
Biren says
February 18, 2010 at 3:07 pmJoy – Many thanks! This is a delicious salad and I am thinking of making it again soon. Gong Xi! Gong Xi!
Rumana Rawat says
February 23, 2010 at 5:59 amUr blog is so good. i love all ur recipe's are so good to c also.. once iam back to india i must try all ur recipe's lovely…
Biren says
February 23, 2010 at 1:31 pmRumana Rawat – Thanks for visiting! I hope you get to try some of the recipes here.
lequan says
January 28, 2011 at 10:33 pmWhat a beautiful yee sang salad! Don’t think I’ve had this before. The chai choy is my favorite dish. I’ve never been much of a meat eater.