Malaysia's Lo Yu Sheng is booming in the Year of the Dragon

The Lunar New Year is approaching, and mothers are starting to worry about what to choose for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Why not try Malaysia’s unique “Lo Hei”? By everyone making the action of picking up the raw fish and saying auspicious words, friends and family who participate can take part in the activity, taste the food, and receive blessings, praying for prosperity in the new Year of the Dragon!

"Lo Hei" originated from Cantonese cuisine and is a special New Year dish during the Malaysian Lunar New Year. It is often celebrated on the "Ren Ri" (the seventh day of the first lunar month). "Lao" means "mix" in Cantonese. The main ingredient of Lao Yusheng in Malaysia is fish strips, paired with shredded lettuce, celery, carrots, fruit, ginger, peanuts, and a golden sauce made of plum paste and orange juice. The whole plate of sashimi becomes colorful and festive, so it is also known as "Seven-Colored Sashimi".

During the Lo Hei ceremony, people will use chopsticks to lift the dishes on the plate high up, saying auspicious words while picking them up, praying for good luck and prosperity in the coming year. If you pick up the dishes higher on the plate, it symbolizes "the more you fish, the more prosperous you will be", you will earn more in the coming year, your wishes will come true, and you will be prosperous.

If you think that experiencing the "Lo Hei" ritual of the foreign Lunar New Year is not enough, you may choose to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Malaysia, especially in the capital Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Malacca and other places where people live. The streets and every household are decorated with lights and various New Year decorations are spread in every area, creating the most lively traditional Chinese Lunar New Year experience. Even Malacca’s most famous Jonker Street will be closed to host various New Year stage shows to celebrate the New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon with a giant dragon over 200 feet (about 60 meters) long.