We saw pig-themed yu sheng platters last year, and dog-themed ones the year before. 2020 is all the year of the rat, so restaurants have come up with a variety of themed yu sheng dishes that will wow the family and kickstart the lunar new year on a yummy note.
Check out eight creative creations inspired by the Zodiac rodent that you’ll want to order this Chinese New Year:
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Welcome the year of the rat with Yu Sheng that will put a smile on anyone’s face before it’s even tossed and tasted. This adorable platter is a mixture of sweet and tangy flavours from mangoes, strawberries and passion fruit on top of citrus cured salmon. The explosion of flavours in your mouth is accompanied by crispy taro chips and the crunch from crushed peanuts, sunflower seeds and toasted slice almonds.
Available from $38.80++ (for both dine-in and takeaway) from now until 8 February 2020, three-days advanced order required.
For reservations and enquiries, email hello@fatchap.sg or call 6836 5994.
Fat Chap is at Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-643 Tower 4 East Wing, 038983.
While we love the traditional look of the yu sheng, Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts has brought Yu Sheng presentation to the next level by arranging every ingredient to tell a story. It tells a garden mouse by the name of Jin (with 2020 being the Year of Metal element) gathering his favourites before he welcomes his guests for a Yu Sheng toss. Some notable mentions of his favourites include strawberries, Nam Shui pear, multigrain and nuts Florentine, crispy Enoki mushrooms, Shimeiji tempura in rock sugar honey glaze and abalone slices topped off with Ikura roe.
For those who prefer the classic Yu Sheng or other options can take a look at their Salmon Yu Sheng, Tuna Yu Sheng and Abalone Yu Sheng.
Available from $158 (for both dine-in and takeaway) from 20 January to 8 February 2020.
For orders and enquiries, visit their website, call 6589 7788 or email gourmet@royalplaza.com.sg.
Carousel at Royal Plaza on Scotts is at 25 Scotts Rd, Royal Plaza, Singapore 228220.
Served on an auspicious gold platter, this decadent “Harmonious Wealth and Great Health” Gold Rush Lo Hei Yu Sheng features shredded organic radish in the shape of a rat, that you’ll toss with Alaskan king crab, pan-seared tuna, uni, crispy silver bait, champagne jelly and lychee pops.
Available at $388.88++ (for dine-in and takeaway) from 13 January to 12 February 2020, one-day advanced order required.
For orders and enquiries, call 6276 9138 or email festive@peonyjade.com.
Peony Jade is at Keppel Club, 10 Bukit Chermin Road, Level M, Singapore 109918; and 3A, #02-02 River Valley Rd, Clarke Quay, Block A, Singapore 179020.
For something more fruity and refreshing, this lo hei platter featuring a cartoon-inspired rat by Cantonese restaurant Full Of Luck will be right up your alley. It’s a delicious medley of taste and texture, from the passionfruit and strawberry-infused “caviar” that burst in your mouth to crispy salmon fish skin, pomegranate seeds and, of course, smoked salmon. A highlight is also the housemade sauce with refreshing and tangy pineapple and yuzu notes.
Available from $48++ (for both dine-in and takeaway) from now until February 8 2020, two-days advanced order required.
For orders and enquiries, call 6208 6845 or email hello@fullofluck.com.
Full Of Luck Restaurant is at 243 Holland Avenue, Singapore 278977.
This artful arrangement is the brainchild of Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng, who was inspired to pay tribute to the first animal of the Chinese zodiac’s entrepreneurial and hardworking spirit. It portrays a white rat holding on to a traditional “gold coin” meticulously crafted from shredded white, green and pink radish. For an optimal balance of flavours, toppings include Champagne jelly with gold leaf detail, tangy sweet honey pineapple dressing as well as cranberry cheese that’s a nod to the rat’s favourite snack.
Available at $388 (dine-in only) from now until February 8 2020, three-days advanced order required.
For orders and enquries, call 6877 8911/8912 or email dining-rsvp@fullertonhotels.com.
Jade is at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178.
For a more traditional yu sheng that will still wow your guests, opt for this adorable platter from Umi Sushi that comprises of a colourful combination of julienned vegetables and the usual condiments, along with the Japanese eatery’s signature Norwegian salmon slices.
Available at $98.88 (for delivery and takeaway) from now until 24 January 2020, one-day advanced order required. Do note that the last delivery order on CNY Eve is between 5pm and 7pm, and the last time for self-collection is at 5pm.
For orders and more information, visit their website.
Toss to a rat-tacular new year with an unforgettable reunion dinner at Lime restaurant – their Feast of Fortune buffet features an abundance of dishes from longevity noodles to roasted chicken and raspberry osmanthus jelly. But first begin your feast with their adorable and auspicious Prosperity Yu Sheng with highlights like fresh salmon, crispy fish skin and traditional preserved vegetables served with their chef’s specialty sauce.
Available from $58 (for dine-in only) from 18 January to 8 February 2020. Group bookings of six or more will enjoy the Prosperity Yu Sheng for free!
For reservations and enquiries, call 6809 8899 or email dining.prsps@parkroyalhotels.com.
Lime is at Parkroyal on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289.
Where’s the rat in this rat-inspired yu sheng, you say? While it doesn’t feature the rodent itself, Sichuan restaurant Min Jiang has come up with an ingenius way to incorporate the Zodiac animal – by incorporating cheese. Instead of the traditional golden crackers, diners at the Dempsey outlet will enjoy golden deep-fried chee cheong fan strips tossed in a savoury cheese powder*, in addition to other unique toppings like tobiko, crunchy rice cracks, salted egg yolk sauce and edible flowers. A plum sauce and strawberry jam dressing completes the dish.
Over at their Goodwood Park Hotel outlet, their Joyful Abundance Yusheng, features another plating design.
*Do note that for takeaway orders, the cheesy chee cheong fan strips will be replaced with traditional golden crackers.
Available from $108++ from now until 8 February 2020 (for both dine-in and takeaways. Last order for takeaways is 12nn on 3 February).
For reservations and enquiries, call 6730 1704 or email min_jiang@goodwoodparkhotel.com (Goodwood Park Hotel); or call 6774 0122 or email mjdempsey@goodwoodparkhotel.com (Min Jiang at Dempsey). For takeaway orders, call 6730 1786 or email deli@goodwoodparkhotel.com. You can also order online.
Min Jiang has two outlets: 7A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249684; and Godowood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221.
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Text: Elizabeth Liew & Cherrie Lim
