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Are yusheng platters more expensive this year? Here’s an overview

CNA Lifestyle looks at yusheng options across different price points, from an S$11.90 set to a S$1.19 million platter.

Are yusheng platters more expensive this year? Here’s an overview

Jade's Premium Dragon Dance Yu Sheng (left) and Man Fu Yuan's Dragon's Wealth Yu Sheng (right). (Photos: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, InterContinental Singapore)

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Every Chinese New Year, one dish takes centre stage on the dining table – the yusheng. Also known as the prosperity toss, it is a medley of raw fish, shredded vegetables, crispy crackers, and an assortment of sauces and condiments.

Most would agree that one of the best parts of this CNY staple is the lo hei portion, where loved ones gather around the dish to toss it all while shouting out auspicious sayings to ring in the new year. 

But amid the rising cost of living, some may wonder what yusheng options are out there and how affected the prices of these platters are.

To answer these questions, CNA Lifestyle scoped out huat is in the yusheng market.

SUPERMARKET YUSHENG PLATTERS

It’s no surprise that supermarkets offer the most affordable options. Convenient and budget-friendly, these yusheng sets are popular among those who just want a simple, fuss-free lo hei.

Sheng Siong, for example, sells the 730g Kwong Cheong Thye Fa Cai Yu Sheng platter at S$17.80 while NTUC FairPrice offers Sing Long's yusheng platters, such as the 350g Loh Hey Yu Sheng priced at S$11.90 and the 600g Old Chinese Yu Sheng and Yusheng In Plastic Box sets, which are S$15.90 and S$15.95, respectively.

But how do these sets fare against last year’s? 

Speaking to CNA Lifestyle, a Sheng Siong spokesperson said that their yusheng set prices range between S$11 and S$25, depending on the size, and have “largely remained the same as last year”.

“Retail prices were updated to factor in the adjustment of GST to 9 per cent. However, this has been borne by Sheng Siong with the ongoing 1 per cent storewide discount. As for our house brand Happy Family Yusheng, its price has been the same as last year at S$13.85,” he added.

Comparisons against FairPrice’s Chinese New Year Catalogue 2023 revealed that the Sing Long yusheng platters saw a 10-cent increase, except the Yusheng In Plastic Box which got a rise of 15 cents.

Notably, Earthen Pot’s 600g Vegetarian Fa Cai Yu Sheng faced a S$1 price hike, while Chef Chen’s Prosperity Green Tea Yu Sheng saw a 90-cent increase from last year. 

FairPrice's Chinese New Year Catalogue 2023 (left) and 2024 (right). (Photos: NTUC FairPrice)

In a statement to CNA Lifestyle, a FairPrice Group spokesperson said: “FairPrice Group remains committed to moderating the cost of living for all in Singapore. 

“Despite inflationary pressures, we have minimised the increase in prices of the yusheng we offer to ensure that our customers have access to affordable festive supplies as they prepare for their Chinese New Year celebrations.”

RESTAURANT YUSHENG PLATTERS

For those seeking a fancier lo hei experience, restaurant yusheng platters are the ideal choice. While they come with elevated price tags, the indulgence they offer may be well worth the cost.

Peach Blossoms at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay also offers a variety of choices. To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, they brought back the Fortune Abalone Yu Sheng and Vegetarian Abalone Yu Sheng albeit at higher prices.

This year, the Fortune Abalone Yu Sheng is priced at S$138 for its small serving and S$188 for its large, while Vegetarian Abalone Yu Sheng costs S$98 for its small and and S$128 for its large.

Compared against 2023 prices shown on Pan Pacific Hotels Group's website, the Fortune Abalone Yu Sheng's small serving has seen a S$10 increase, while its large serving has surged by S$30. Similarly, the Vegetarian Abalone Yu Sheng now comes with a S$20 price hike for both serving sizes. 

Another option to consider is Golden Peony at Conrad Centennial Singapore, which offers the Fortune Gold Flakes Yu Sheng at S$188 for dine-in.

Fortune Gold Flakes Yu Sheng served with baby abalone, lobster, crispy white bait, golden coin chicken bak kwa, fish skin and fresh fruits. (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)

When asked how they come up with their annual platters, Golden Peony said: “Master of Cantonese cuisine chef Ku Keung serves authentic, elevated Cantonese fare, imparting his signature, creative culinary style into novel interpretations of timeless classics. 

“Infusing a lively, innovative twist of modern allure into the yusheng dish, Golden Peony’s rendition of the dish this year, the Fortune Gold Flakes Yu Sheng, features a medley of the classic and unconventional.”

Golden Peony added that there has been “no substantial change” in pricing for the Fortune Gold Flakes Yu Sheng, and that their prices are a reflection of their "premium, quality ingredients".

Meanwhile, Summer Palace offers a range of six different Prosperity Yu Shengs, including the Roselle & Lily Bulb Yu Sheng (from S$98), Bird’s Nest and Pear Yu Sheng (from S$168) and Lobster Yu Sheng (from S$168).

Lobster Yu Sheng. (Photo: Conrad Centennial Singapore)

This is the first time Summer Palace is releasing its yusheng menu since its major refurbishments at the new Conrad Singapore Orchard, which officially opened on Dec 28 last year. 

“In coming up with this year's Yu Sheng and festive menus, executive Chinese chef Liu Ching Hai, whose cooking philosophy stems from bringing diners Canton comfort using the freshest quality ingredients while presenting an elevated take on traditional Cantonese flavours, sought to create options that all families and generations could resonate with," they said in statement.

When asked how they determine the prices of their yusheng platters, Summer Palace said they are based on “the type of prized delicacy or ingredient it features”. As for whether there has been a price surge in recent years, they said they have “taken considered steps to maintain consistency in our Lunar New Year menus”.

ALTERNATIVE YUSHENG PLATTERS

Although yusheng is a CNY staple, it doesn’t have a fixed recipe. Many restaurants offer their unique interpretation, with some sticking to tradition and others taking a more creative approach. 

One restaurant that incorporated some novel twists is Haidilao. This year, the popular hotpot place with more than 20 outlets in Singapore introduced its new mala yusheng. From S$38.80, mala lovers can enjoy all the classic flavours of traditional yusheng, topped with abalone and a generous amount of mala sauce.

Blue Yasmine has its own take, infusing Thai cuisine into the “prosperity salad”. Besides smoked salmon and chicken bak kwa, the dish is also drizzled with tangy plum and passionfruit sauce. Coming in two sizes, this platter goes from S$68 for its medium serving and S$88 for its large.

And for beef enthusiasts, Fat Cow has brought back its Gyu Sheng. Priced at S$68, this year’s rendition has slices of Toriyama Umami Wagyu, alongside a mix of seafood and vegetables.

Fat Cow's Gyu Sheng. (Photo: Fat Cow)

Interestingly, this year’s version comes in a little cheaper than last year’s, which was reported by The Peak Magazine to be S$99. That said, last year’s Gyu Sheng featured different ingredients, such as A4 Miyazaki wagyu and caviar.

EXTRAVAGANT YUSHENG PLATTERS

As with every year, there are also yusheng platters that command attention with their steep prices and elaborate presentations.

Cantonese restaurant Man Fu Yuan is welcoming the Chinese New Year with a 60-inch Dragon’s Wealth Yu Sheng, adorned with a dragon head and tail that symbolises strength, power, health, and good luck. This luxurious yusheng features a medley of seafood including rock lobster, dried Hokkaido scallops and salmon sashimi, all for an auspicious price starting from S$888.

Man Fu Yuan's Dragon’s Wealth Yu Sheng, served with rock lobster, sea urchin, ikura, shredded dried Hokkaido scallops, salmon sashimi and crispy fish skin, completed with a dash refreshing honey miso golden peach dressing and shallot oil. (Photo: InterContinental Singapore)

Meanwhile, Jade, helmed by Chinese executive chef Leong Chee Yeng, introduced a Premium Dragon Dance Yu Sheng. Priced at S$988, the ingredients such as rose wine-marinated abalone, king prawns and Norwegian smoked salmon are arranged to form a dancing dragon with its coveted “pearl of wisdom”.

Jade's Premium Dragon Dance Yu Sheng. (Photo: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore)

Yet, nothing compares to the most exorbitant platter on this list – Neo Garden’s S$1.19 million dragon yusheng. The dish, titled the Celestial Dragon Yusheng, is 1,088 metres long and features toppings like fresh salmon, smoked salmon and smoked duck.

Of course, this homegrown catering company is no stranger to outrageous prices. In 2019, they rolled out the S$319,810 yusheng set, 99.co reported.

The Celestial Dragon Yusheng platter costs S$1,088,888 before tax. (Photo: Neo Garden)

Still, even while reviewing the prices of yusheng platters, it's important to remember what the dish symbolises. Whether it’s a simple toss at home or indulging in a lavish dining experience, the tradition of lo hei will likely continue to reunite families and friends during the Chinese New Year.

As Singaporeans join in the spirited shouts for wealth and prosperity, perhaps it’s also wise to hope that the prices of yusheng stay within reach.

Source: CNA/kt

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