Feeling a little down because the Christmas feasting has come to an end? Fret not as Chinese New Year is just around the corner, giving us even more reason to put our diets on hold.

As food and reunion dinners are one of the most important aspects of Chinese New Year, it is absolutely crucial that your family and guests are served with the very best. Therefore, we have compiled here a list of 9 caterers who will definitely not disappoint this Chinese New Year.

BELLYGOOD BY TUNGLOK 

Bellygood is established by the TungLok Group and is a reputable catering company that is halal certified, so it’s great for if you happen to have some Muslim guests over. They serve up a wide range of scrumptious Asian eats that will definitely satisfy your guests. Their buffet spreads start from just S$22++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

Photo Credit: Four Seasons Catering 

FOUR SEASONS 

Not to be mistaken for the hotel, Four Seasons is a renowned catering company that never fails to serve up a sumptuous feast for every occasion. Their Chinese New Year buffet prices start from S$13.90++ per pax, making it incredibly affordable, especially if you are expecting a lot of people!

For more information, visit them here. 

Photo Credit: Neo Garden Catering 

NEO GARDEN 

Neo Garden has always been one of the more popular catering companies out there and it is no surprise as they never fail to deliver a stellar buffet spread that leaves everyone full and satisfied. Their Chinese New Year Buffet prices start from S$23.88++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

Photo Credit: Orange Clove 

ORANGE CLOVE 

In all 7 years of its operation, Orange Clove has bagged numerous awards for its stellar food. Yet despite that, their prices are still kept affordable, so you won’t break the bank when you order from them. They are also Halal certified. Their Chinese New Year buffet spread starts from S$23.88++ per pax. 

For more information, visit them here.

Photo Credit: Select

SELECT Catering

Select is well known for offering affordable high-quality buffet spreads that are great for special occasions such as Chinese New Year. Their Chinese New Year buffets start at just S$16.80++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

STAMFORD CATERING

Stamford catering is a halal-certified catering company that serves up a sumptuous array of eats that will definitely leave your guests with happy and full bellies. Their Chinese New Year buffet spread starts from just S$16.80++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here.

Photo Credit: Foodline

THE ORANGE LANTERN 

The Orange Lantern never fails to deliver affordable top-notch food. Their reunion buffets even come with complimentary Yusheng. Their Chinese New Year buffet prices start from just S$19.80++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

Photo Credit: Foodline 

XIN YI PIN 

Xin Yi Pin specialises in local Asian and contemporary regional delicacies that are affordable for all. All orders for their Mini CNY Buffet come with free house deliveries on the eve of Chinese New Year! Prices start from just S$16.80++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

Photo Credit: Yeh Lai Siang 

YEH LAI SIANG 

Yeh Lai Siang has over 30 years of experience in the food catering industry, so you know that you can trust them with something as important as your Chinese New Year buffet spread. For your vegetarian friends, fret not as they also have a special Prosperity Vegetarian Buffet set just for them! Buffet prices start from just S$15.80++ per pax.

For more information, visit them here. 

The Chinese Lunar New Year is an annual festival where many traditions culminate from exchanging of oranges to the receiving of red packets and more. Still, as far as the Chinese New Year goes, the iconic yu sheng toss remains at the helm of all things festive.

Yu Sheng, otherwise known as lo-hei or prosperity toss, is something that we’ve grown terribly fond of. A vibrant centrepiece dish comprising various elements, each boasting its own unique flavour and meaning behind it, the yu sheng is always the first order of business at any family gathering.

Yet, as we find ourselves going through the motion of this tradition year in year out, how many of us millennials can actually say that we truly understand this practice and its significance? To a season dedicated to good fortune, family reunion and feasting, here is our guide on lo hei, what it is and what it represents.

HOW THE MODERN INTERPRETATION CAME TO BE

Since its origins as a simple raw fish dish back in the 1930s, the recipe has undergone a series of transformations, and even until today, people are still finding innovative ways to present this dish. The dish was brought to Singapore in the late 19th century by the migration of Cantonese and Teochew migrants from China.

“Lo Hei”, in Cantonese literally translates to “tossing up good fortune”, and it refers to the ritual adopted in Singapore that involves a group of people gathered around a massive plate, tossing its contents violently while saying out auspicious phrases before eating it—it is popularly believed that the higher the toss, the better your prospects and fortune in the year ahead.

At the very beginning, the salad itself consisted merely of raw fish slices, some vegetables and seasoning to taste. It was only much later on in 1964, where a quartet of chefs—known affectionately as the ‘Four Heavenly Kings’—reinvented the dish and served it at the then, newly opened Lai Wah restaurant. The new salad saw an improvement in texture, colour, and flavour.

KEY INGREDIENTS & WHAT THEY REPRESENT

• Carrots – Represents good luck.
• Green Radish – Represents eternal youth.
• White Radish – Represents good job opportunities in the coming year.
• Raw Fish – symbolises abundance and prosperity.
• Pomelo – Represents luck.
• Crushed Peanuts – Is a sign that your home will be filled with many valuable possessions.
• Sesame Seeds – Represent the hope that your business will flourish.
• Golden Crackers – Symbolises wealth.
• Plum Sauce – A key component that binds the salad together, it represents stronger ties among family and friends.
• Pepper & Cinnamon Powder – signify the wish for wealth
• Oil – Often drizzled onto the salad in a circular motion rather than poured over. This is to symbolise that money will come from all directions.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Before the tossing begins, the dish needs to be prepared, usually by one individual who adds the ingredients one by one in a specific order, while the reciting wishes of luck and prosperity at the same time.

With the plate placed in the middle, friends and family members stand around the table to toss the ingredients whilst exchanging blessings and words of prosperity—although, more often than not, people tend to just shout them out.

9 INTEGRAL STEPS & WHAT TO SAY

Step: Yu Sheng platter is placed at the centre of the dining table.
What To Say: “Gong Xi Fa Cai” meaning, “Congratulations for your wealth”.

Step: Raw sliced fish is added.
What To Say: “Nian Nian You Yu” meaning, “Abundance throughout the year”.

Step: Pomelo or lime is added.
What To Say: “Da Ji Da Li” meaning, “good luck and great prosperity”.

Step: Spice sachets are sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Zhao Cai Jin Bao” meaning, “May you attract wealth and treasures”.

Step: Oil and plum sauce are poured over ingredients.
What To Say: “Yi Ben Wan Li” meaning “Make 10,000 times of profit with your capital”

Step: Peanut crumbs are poured over.
What To Say: “Jin Yin Man Wu” meaning, “May your home be filled with lots of gold and silver.”

Step: Sesame seeds sprinkled over.
What To Say: “Sheng Yi Xing Long” meaning, “Wishing you prosperity for the business.”

Step: Deep-fried flour crisps in the shape of golden pillows are then added.
What To Say: “Man Di Huang Jin” literally translating to, “May the whole floor be filled with gold.”

Step: The toss commences.
What To Say: “Lo Hei” literally translating to tossing luck.

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