This intricate yu sheng, created specially by Jade Restaurant’s Executive Chef Leong Chee Yeng, is one to marvel at. The centrepiece of the rat with a gold coin is painstakingly crafted from white, green and pink radish strips. Its perfectly balanced flavours include Champagne jelly accented with gold leaf, tangy sweet honey pineapple dressing, and cranberry cheese, a nod to the Zodiac Rat’s favourite snack which contributes a creamy, fruity complement to the fresh ingredients.

The Special Edition is priced at S$388++ and requires 3 days’ advance order. Jade is at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square, Singapore 049178. Call Dining Reservations at (65) 6877 8911/8912 or email dining-rsvp@fullertonhotels.com

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The now-classic Queen’s Yu Sheng returns once more to invite you to crack the glowing golden chocolate egg resting in its auspicious nest of chocolates; almonds and cashews; mandarin orange butter cake, meringue kisses; and yam and sweet potato chips, and reveal the cache of freshly diced and shredded pineapple, Thai green mango, red dragon fruit and pomelo, ready for the dressing of mandarin orange, plum and gula melaka.

At $88. Antoinette is at 30 Penhas Rd, Singapore 208188. Visit www.antoinette.com.sg

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If you are not so adventurous and want a more classic yu sheng, try the one by Hotel Kempinski’s flagship restaurant 15 Stamford. Created by Chef Alvin Leung, this yu sheng features slices of fresh salmon to bring on the ‘yu’, complete with vegetable slaw, plum dressing and fish skin crisp. For a touch of luxe, you can also opt to add on kingfish, scallop, lobster or abalone.

At $88++ (for 3 persons) or $168++ (for 6 persons). Add-ons will incur additional charges. 15 Stamford by Alvin Leung is at 15 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178906. Tel: 6715 6871. Visit www.kempinski.com/en/singapore/the-capitol-singapore/dining/15-stamford-by-alvin-leung/

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How about a yu sheng with a twist of Peranakan flavours? The “LoHei” Platter by One-Michelin Starrred Peranakan restaurant Candlenut includes familiar favourites like shredded iceberg lettuce, carrot, white and green radishes along with red and white ginger strips as well as pickled cucumber, yellow and brown melon strips, while surprising with green mango slices and arrowhead chips, plus ingredients such as gula melaka and ginger flower in the homemade plum dressing.

At $68++ (sharing for 4 to 6 persons). Add-ones will incur additional charges. Candlenut is at Block17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676. Tel:1800 3042 288. Visit comodempsey.sg/reservations/candlenut

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How cute is this Prosperity Yu Sheng in the shape of a rat? The good news is you can get it complimentary when you dine-in at a table of six or more—toss this platter which features all the traditional yu sheng ingredients to bring in good luck and prosperity!

At $58 (4 – 6 pax) and $88 (8 – 10 pax). Lime Restaurant is at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore, 3 Upper Pickering St, Singapore 058289. Tel:6809 8899

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Created by celebrity Chef Sam Leong, this sweet and zesty yu sheng features a medley of tropical fruits such as jackfruit, green papaya and green mango and topped with crispy white bait and homemade citrus yuzu honey-lime dressing. Definitely try it if you like fruits in your yu sheng!

At $88++ for small, $108++ for medium and $128++ for large. Forest 森 is at 16 Sentosa Gateway Equarius Hotel Lobby, #01-521 & 522, Singapore 098133. Tel: 6577 7788. Visit www.rwsentosa.com/en/restaurants/forest/overview

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Celebrate the Year of the Rat with this Prosperity Yusheng that showcases Japanese elements featuring a light and vibrant mix of cured salmon and fresh daikon salad, drizzled with a delicious plum sauce.

At $28++ (for 2 to 3 pax). Neon Pigeon is at 1 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089109. Tel: 6222 3623.

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Inspired by Mala Xiang Guo, this yu sheng comprises of julienne of carrot, white radish, green radish, red cabbage and pickled vegetables, then topped with fresh green papaya and steamed lotus roots. Served with fresh salmon slices, the mix is tossed in a game-changing mala dressing—the chef’s special blend of herbs and spices that include Sichuan peppercorn. The sauce comes in two levels of spiciness—the standard Zhong La (moderately spicy) or Da La (extra spicy). Mala lovers will truly relish the umami goodness of this dish!

At $98+ (large, serves 10 to 12). Hotel Fort Canning is at 11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881. Tel: 6799 8809 / 6559 6796 or email thesalon@hfcsingapore.com

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Inspired by Thai papaya salad (Som Tam), the yu sheng from the One-Michelin starred restaurant features prized cuts of melt-in-your-mouth chutoro, seaweed from the coast of Brittany, France, together with a refreshing and indulgent plum and black truffle vinaigrette mixed with a delightful salad of green papaya, fresh beetroot, carrots, daikon and turnip. Delicate edible flowers, cresses, and a yuzu kosho snow finishes off this amazing dish.

At $88++. Alma is at Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221. Tel: 6735 9937. Visit alma.sg

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Toss to a prosperous year with Halia’s Traditional Yusheng, featuring Halia’s special ginger flower sauce, served with fresh sliced raw fish. For those who are not familiar with auspicious phrases, they can refer to a flash card containing instructions on how to “lo hei” and the symbolism behind the ingredients, which is provided with every platter. A complimentary pack of red packets as well as a souvenir photograph will also be given for every platter ordered.

At $8.88++ per person (a minimum of 2 persons is required and up to 8 persons). Halia is at 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens (via Tyersall Avenue), Singapore 259569. Tel: 8444 1148. Visit thehalia.com

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Want to splurge and have a more luxurious lo hei for the Year of the Rat? Packed with premium ingredients like Alaskan crab meat, black truffle and black caviar, this delectable yu sheng is served with julienned Rosella fruit and velvety spring onion sauce. There’s also a vegetarian option with fresh fruits and vegetables.

At $147.65 (small) or $295.30 (large). Cherry Garden is at Mandarin Oriental Singapore, 5 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039797. Tel: 6885 3500. E-mail mosin-dining@mohg.com for dine-in or mosin-festive@mohg.com for takeaways.

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Specially curated with premium Japanese ingredients, this yu sheng features the restaurant’s signature grilled unagi, impeccably glazed with a special inhouse tare recipe. It is topped with crispy udon made by udon specialist Udon Kamon. The yu sheng also comes with takuan; shredded cucumber, carrot, radish, as well as purple cabbages; beni shoga (pickles); chuka karrage; ikura; ebiko; yuzu peels and pork floss.

At $88++. Unagiya Ichinoji is at #01-05 Riverside Village Residences, 30 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238251, Tel: 6732 1970 and Eat At Seven, 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-307, Sky Garden Suntec City, Singapore 038983, Tel: 6268 8043. 

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The sky-high dining concept offering Mediterranean-inspired flavours introduces a fine dining Lo Hei concept. This yu sheng features a base of hamachi, salmon and ikura caviar, tossed in pickled wakame, red cabbage, carrot, sesame, peanut, daikon radish and tapioca cracker… topped with gold leaf!

At $148++ (8 to 10 people), $98++ (5 to 7 people) and $58++ (3 to 4 people). Artemis Grill is at 138 Market St, #40-01 CapitaGreen, Singapore 048946. Tel: 6635 8677. Visit artemisgrill.com.sg

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This luxurious rendition of the traditional Yu Sheng is crowned with smoked salmon carpaccio, salmon roe and carabinero prawns—the classic dish is accented with a brilliance of colours from the various house-made caviars crafted from pomelo, mango, orange, sake, yuzu and mangosteen.

At $88++per pax (for four to six pax), $128++ per pax (for eight to 10 pax), add-on of carabinero prawns at +$8 per pax. MONTI at 1-Pavilion is at 82 Collyer Quay, Fullerton Pavilion, Singapore 049327. Tel: 6535 0724. Visit www.monti.sg

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Opened by celebrity MasterChef Jereme Leung, 藝 yì by Jereme Leung at Raffles Hotel Singapore serves up modern adaptations of China’s ancient delicacies to Chinese classics. Their Fortune Yu Sheng with Smoked Salmon features a really unique drizzling of Yunnan Rose Specialty Dressing.

At $168++. 藝 yì by Jereme Leung is at Raffles Hotel Singapore, 328 North Bridge Road, #03-02 Raffles Arcade, Singapore 188719. Tel: 6412 1816. Visit www.raffles.com/singapore/dining/yi

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Ring in the new year with six auspicious Yu Sheng platters from Hai Tien Lo, including the Chef’s Recommended Nutritious Blossoming Treasures Yu Sheng with Gold and Silver Flakes, Hokkaido Scallops, walnuts, shredded mixed fruits and vegetable salad in sweet and sour Thai sauce.

From $38 per platter. Hai Tien Lo is at Pan Pacific Singapore, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square Singapore 039595. Tel: 6336 8111. Visit www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-marina/dining/hai-tien-lo.html

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Helmed by Chef Mok Kit Keung, Shang Palace is one of the top places to visit for opulent Chinese food. Their Fortune Yusheng features a generous serving of smoked lobster and Norwegian smoked salmon, with the radish arranged to resemble a rat to bring in good luck and fortune.

Part of their eight-course set menu, from $198 per person. Shang Palace is at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350. Tel: 6213 4473. 

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Succulent local lobster and ikura, or salmon roe, is the crowning glory for this beautiful yu sheng. Dig in to discover its curation of fresh ingredients like marinated plum tomatoes, pickled cucumber, juicy pomelo segments, fresh ice plant, fresh lily bulbs, kaffir lime leaves, red dates and walnuts, all accentuated with an olive oil-based dressing with flower blossom syrup, plum sauce and sesame seeds.

At $168 (for large) and $98 (for small). Available at Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade Pavilion and Crystal Jade Dining IN for dine-in and takeaway from 6 January to 8 February 2020. Visit www.crystaljade.com

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