The Art of Lo Hei: More Than Just a Salad
As the Year of the Horse gallops into Singapore, I embarked on a gastronomic exploration of the city’s most compelling Yusheng offerings—a ritual that transforms a simple raw fish salad into a theatrical celebration of prosperity, abundance, and togetherness. What follows is an in-depth analysis of standout dishes that exemplify both tradition and innovation.
Shisen Hanten by Chen Kentaro: MICHELIN Excellence Meets Festive Tradition
Dish: Wealthy Lobster, Abalone, and Salmon Yu Sheng with Osetra Caviar (upgrade)
The moment this platter arrives at the table, you understand why Shisen Hanten commands its MICHELIN star. This is Yusheng elevated to haute cuisine without losing its soul.
The Components
The base foundation respects tradition—julienned daikon and carrot provide the essential crunch, while pickled ginger offers sharp, palate-cleansing acidity. But it’s the protein trio that commands attention. The salmon arrives in thick, glacé cuts with visible marbling, its coral-pink flesh glistening with freshness. The lobster is poached to precise doneness—the meat releases cleanly from the shell with a gentle pull, maintaining a sweet brininess that speaks to impeccable sourcing.
The abalone, arguably the star, arrives in tender medallions that yield to the bite while maintaining textural integrity. There’s no rubbery resistance, no chewiness—just clean, oceanic flavor with subtle umami depth.
The Osetra Caviar Upgrade
At $80++ for a portion, the Osetra caviar upgrade transforms this from festive centerpiece to luxurious indulgence. The pearls burst delicately on the palate, releasing nutty, buttery notes that marry beautifully with the salmon’s fattiness. It’s an extravagance that actually enhances rather than overwhelms—a testament to thoughtful composition.
The Sauce & Assembly
The accompanying sauce strikes a masterful balance between sweet plum notes, citrus brightness, and sesame earthiness. Unlike many commercial Yusheng sauces that lean heavily saccharine, Shisen Hanten’s version shows restraint and complexity. During the toss, it coats ingredients evenly without creating sogginess—a crucial technical achievement.
Verdict
Price: Premium (expect $200+ for the full luxe version)
Best For: Milestone celebrations, impressing discerning guests
Standout Element: Impeccable ingredient quality and precise execution
Rating: 9.5/10
Din Tai Fung: The Reliable Excellence
Dish: Abundance Abalone Yu Sheng
Din Tai Fung approaches Yusheng with the same meticulous precision that defines their xiao long bao. This isn’t flashy or avant-garde—it’s thoughtful, consistent, and crowd-pleasing.
Texture Symphony
What immediately strikes you is the textural orchestration. The vegetables are julienned to uniform thinness, ensuring every ingredient integrates during the toss. The pomelo sacs burst with citrus sweetness, the five-spice crackers shatter satisfyingly, and the abalone—while not as tender as Shisen Hanten’s—offers pleasant, marine-forward chew.
The accompaniments include white sesame seeds (toasted to release oils), crushed peanuts (providing earthy richness), and crispy wonton strips (adding golden crunch). Each element serves a purpose in the flavor and texture matrix.
The Sauce Philosophy
Din Tai Fung’s signature plum sauce leans sweeter than others, with pronounced notes of preserved plum and a subtle five-spice warmth. It’s nostalgic and comforting—the kind of sauce that appeals to both traditionalists and children at the table. The sesame oil component is evident but not overpowering, adding nutty depth without greasiness.
Family Appeal
This is engineered for broad appeal. The abalone isn’t challenging, the vegetables are familiar, and the sauce hits that sweet-savory sweet spot that transcends age groups. During peak CNY periods, Din Tai Fung’s operational efficiency means you’re not waiting 30 minutes for your Yusheng to arrive—a practical consideration for families with restless children.
Verdict
Price: Mid-range ($70-90 depending on size)
Best For: Multi-generational gatherings, reliable quality
Standout Element: Consistency and textural balance
Rating: 8.5/10
Greenwood Fish Market: The Seafood Purist’s Choice
Dish: Lobster Yu Sheng with Calamansi Plum Sauce
Chef-owner Alan Lee’s direct import model means the seafood here arrives multiple times weekly, and it shows. This is Yusheng for those who believe the fish should be the undisputed star.
Lobster Quality
The lobster meat is substantial—firm yet yielding, with pronounced sweetness that suggests minimal time between ocean and plate. Unlike some establishments where lobster feels like an afterthought scattered atop vegetables, Greenwood’s portions are generous enough to feature in nearly every chopstick lift during the toss.
The Calamansi Innovation
Here’s where it gets interesting: the calamansi plum sauce diverges from convention. The calamansi (Southeast Asian lime) introduces bright, floral citrus notes that cut through the richness of lobster and premium olive oil. It’s more refreshing, less cloying than traditional plum-heavy versions—a sauce that actually makes you want to finish the entire platter rather than abandoning it halfway through the meal.
The Olive Oil Touch
The inclusion of premium olive oil is unorthodox for Yusheng but works beautifully here. It adds silky mouthfeel and fruity notes that complement rather than compete with the seafood. This is fusion done intelligently—respecting the dish’s roots while introducing thoughtful evolution.
Considerations
The pet-friendly outlets (Bukit Timah and Sentosa) make this ideal for families who consider their dogs part of the celebration. However, the focus on seafood purity means fewer “fun” elements for children—no rainbow crackers or candied fruits here.
Verdict
Price: Premium ($128++ for Lobster version)
Best For: Seafood enthusiasts, quality-focused diners
Standout Element: Seafood freshness and innovative calamansi sauce
Rating: 9/10
WHITE Restaurant x Bee Cheng Hiang: The Textural Maverick
Dish: Golden Horse Abundance Bakkwa Yusheng (Abalone)
This collaboration represents one of 2026’s most intriguing innovations—replacing traditional crispy elements with grilled bakkwa (Chinese barbecued pork) and pulled pork. It’s polarizing, playful, and surprisingly successful.
The Bakkwa Integration
Bee Cheng Hiang’s bakkwa arrives in crispy-edged slices, caramelized to the point where sugars have crystallized on the surface. During the toss, these pieces maintain their structural integrity while releasing sweet-savory juices that mingle with the sauce. The pulled pork adds sticky, umami-rich depth—imagine char siu meeting Texas barbecue.
Flavor Profile Shift
This is decidedly sweeter and more meat-forward than traditional Yusheng. The abalone provides marine balance, but make no mistake—the bakkwa dominates. For pork lovers, this is transcendent. For purists, it might feel sacrilegious. There’s no middle ground.
The 18% Discount Appeal
For WHITE Restaurant Members, Bee Cheng Hiang Members, and Citibank cardholders, the 18% discount makes this under $50—exceptional value for the innovation and generous portions. It’s positioned as accessible indulgence rather than luxury statement.
Who This Works For
Families with children often struggle with traditional Yusheng—kids pick at the vegetables, ignore the fish, and hunt for crispy bits. The bakkwa version solves this by making the “crispy bits” the main attraction. It’s Yusheng engineered for the chicken nugget generation, but executed with enough sophistication to satisfy adults.
Verdict
Price: Budget-friendly (under $60, less with discounts)
Best For: Adventurous eaters, families with picky children
Standout Element: Bold innovation and textural intrigue
Rating: 8/10 (for innovation; 7/10 for traditionalists)
Genki Sushi: The Interactive Experience
Dish: Salmon Noodle Yusheng with Yuzu Sauce
Genki Sushi understands that modern diners want more than food—they want experience. The inclusion of a disposable yusheng mat printed with auspicious phrases and a QR-linked guided lo hei video transforms the meal into participatory theater.
The Noodle Innovation
Replacing julienned vegetables with fresh salmon “noodles”—long, ribbon-like cuts—is visually striking and texturally interesting. These ribbons toss more dramatically than traditional components, creating Instagram-worthy height during the lo hei ritual. From a culinary perspective, it also means more salmon per bite, which justifies the price point.
Yuzu Citrus Brightness
The yuzu sauce is a masterstroke for those fatigued by overly sweet plum sauces. Yuzu brings floral, grapefruit-like brightness with subtle bitterness that cleanses the palate. Paired with the fatty salmon, it creates a flavor dynamic reminiscent of quality sashimi with citrus ponzu—familiar to sushi lovers but novel in the Yusheng context.
The Digital Enhancement
The QR code video guide is particularly brilliant for younger families or those hosting international guests unfamiliar with lo hei rituals. It removes anxiety, adds entertainment value, and ensures everyone participates correctly. This is customer experience design at its finest.
Customization Options
The ability to add salmon, abalone, or mixed sashimi means you can scale the dish to your budget and preferences. A base Salmon Noodle Yusheng feels abundant; upgraded versions become centerpiece-worthy.
Verdict
Price: Mid-range with flexible scaling
Best For: First-time lo hei participants, tech-savvy families
Standout Element: Interactive experience design and yuzu innovation
Rating: 8.5/10
The Dark Horse: Tempura-EN’s Lohei Shirauo Salad
Dish: Lohei Shirauo Salad with Crispy Japanese Ice Fish
At $18.80 for 2-3 pax, this is the most affordable option reviewed—and perhaps the most creatively satisfying for adventurous eaters on a budget.
Shirauo (Japanese Ice Fish) Tempura
These tiny, translucent fish arrive in ethereally light tempura batter, achieving a glass-like crispness that shatters on contact. The symbolism—”gold and silver filling the house”—is clever, but the execution is what matters. Unlike heavy, greasy tempura, these maintain delicate crunch even after tossing with dressing.
Karasumi (Mullet Roe) Dust
The sprinkle of karasumi adds luxurious umami depth without luxury pricing. It’s the same ingredient you’d find on expensive Italian pasta, here deployed as festive garnish. The salty-savory intensity plays beautifully against the citrus dressing.
Mandarin Orange Dressing
This is where Tempura-EN shows restraint and intelligence. The dressing is fruit-forward without being sugary, allowing the quality ingredients to shine rather than drowning them in sauce. Tossing this feels more like preparing a refined Japanese salad than traditional Yusheng—which is precisely the point.
The Value Proposition
For families hosting multiple gatherings or watching budgets, this delivers creative satisfaction at a fraction of premium options. The $11.80 salmon add-on transforms it into a more substantial dish while still keeping total cost under $35.
Verdict
Price: Exceptional value ($18.80-36.80)
Best For: Budget-conscious gourmands, Japanese cuisine enthusiasts
Standout Element: Creative reinterpretation at accessible pricing
Rating: 8.5/10 (9/10 for value)
Final Reflections: The State of Yusheng in 2026
Singapore’s Yusheng landscape has matured beyond simple salmon-and-plum-sauce offerings into a diverse ecosystem of culinary expression. Several trends emerge:
Premiumization: High-end establishments like Shisen Hanten and Pan Pacific Orchard push luxury boundaries with caviar, pufferfish, and truffle.
Creative Fusion: Collaborations (WHITE x Bee Cheng Hiang) and innovations (Genki’s noodles, Tempura-EN’s ice fish) show chefs treating Yusheng as a creative canvas.
Sauce Evolution: The shift toward yuzu, calamansi, and less-sweet profiles reflects increasingly sophisticated palates.
Experience Design: QR codes, custom mats, and theatrical presentation acknowledge that dining is entertainment.
Accessibility: Options from $18.80 to $588 ensure Yusheng remains democratically available while offering aspirational luxury.
The best Yusheng for you depends on what you value—ingredient purity, innovation, tradition, value, or experience. But in 2026’s Singapore, you’re spoiled for exceptional choices across every dimension.
Personal Top 3:
- Shisen Hanten (for pure culinary excellence)
- Greenwood Fish Market (for seafood quality and innovation)
- Tempura-EN (for creative value)
May your lo hei be high, your year prosperous, and your salmon always fresh. 恭喜发财!