Budget Yu Sheng from Smith Street, Chinatown
Chinese New Year starts tomorrow. It's the time of the year again to Lo Hei Yu Sheng 捞起魚生, the prosperity salad that is tossed for luck.
This year's CNY atmosphere seems even more subdued than last year as a slow economy and uncertain job environment is prompting many Singaporeans to tighten their belts. Shopkeepers have been complaining that business is a lot slower, especially for the guys running stalls at Chinatown's street bazaar, where I shot this picture of Japanese Fortune Cats, which are believed to bring luck to their owner.
Yu Sheng 魚生 (Large portion in the picture)
Small @ S$18 & Large @ S$28
Yu Sheng doesn't have to be an expensive affair. Here's an alternative to restaurant Yu Sheng or supermarket Yu Sheng - takeaway Yu Sheng from a stall located in Chinatown Complex Food Centre (aka Smith Street Hawker Centre). I had this for lunch today while running last-minute errands in Chinatown.
There are many stalls selling Yu Sheng but the current family favourite is Xin He Ji 新合记, which sells noodles at other times of the year. Available only till 24 Feb 2013, the Yu Sheng here is made the traditional way with fresh, sweet slices of Ikan Parang aka Xi Dao Yu 西刀魚 (Mackerel) instead of oily tasting Salmon. The old couple running the stall are very generous with their ingredients so a large portion easily feeds about 10-12 people (depending on how much you like Yu Sheng). The vegetable strips are firm and crunchy, while the plum sauce dressing was not overwhelmingly sweet. The ground peanuts and flour crisps were fragrant and didn't have the rancid flavour that some other places have. The best hawker Yu Sheng I’ve had in the past few years. This is a Must-Try!
