Enjoy the lucky flavors of early Spring

1. Yu Sheng Salad: Spring Salad

“Yu sheng” - Spring As You Wish Salad is a fish salad, usually made from sliced raw fish, grated vegetables, sesame powder, plum sauce... In Chinese, “raw fish” also means “prosperous life"; at the same time, each ingredient of the fish salad also symbolizes the wish for abundance, luck, success... in the coming year. “Yu sheng” is an indispensable dish on the traditional Chinese New Year banquet table on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year. People often toss the fish salad high and wish for good luck in the new year, with the notion that the higher the toss, the more luck they will have.

At Sofitel Plaza Hanoi, the hotel chefs have added special flavors to “yu sheng”, including raw fish, lemon leaves, sesame oil, pepper powder, plum sauce. When enjoying the party here, diners will witness a 9-step performance of the raw fish salad, symbolizing a prosperous new year.

Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel

No. 1 Thanh Nien, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Tel: 04. 3823 8888.

2. Osechi, the lucky food of the Japanese

Japan, a country famous for its purest cuisine in the world, often celebrates the New Year with a very unique meal called Osechi, in which dishes are served in a multi-compartment lacquer box called “Jubako”.

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Usually, there are about 9 dishes in an Osechi box, which are arranged and prepared very elaborately, with a harmonious combination of colors and flavors, and each dish represents a separate meaning. For example, the herring roe dish (Kazunoko) symbolizes the wish for many children and grandchildren on the occasion of the New Year. The grilled fish cake Kamaboko with red and white slices arranged alternately in rows or arranged in a certain pattern reminds of Japan with the nickname "the land of the rising sun" with the meaning of congratulations. Kuro-mame soybeans symbolize the wish for good health. Shiitake mushrooms are pressed into the shape of a turtle shell to represent the meaning of longevity. Or the rolled egg dish Detemaki expresses the wish for many good and happy days...

An Osechi box has both land and sea dishes, protein-rich dishes, light dishes, grilled dishes, boiled dishes, etc., all combined into a colorful and meaningful garden of flavors, both beautiful and good for health.

Benkay Japanese Restaurant

Nikko Hanoi Hotel
84 Tran Nhan Tong, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi
Tel: 04. 3822 3535.

3. Lobster hotpot, a lucky dish for Singaporeans

If hotpot is widely known throughout Asia, for Singaporeans, this is an indispensable dish every New Year. Chef Kenji Tam will introduce to diners the lucky and meaningful flavor of this special lobster hotpot. With a little new variation but still full of the delicious flavor of the family reunion dish, the broth in the dish is delicately prepared with the rich, delicious flavor of miso soup. Dipping in fresh ingredients, family and friends can enjoy the warm flavor of the spring festival and wish each other good luck in the new year.

For Singaporeans, lobster is not only an attractive dish because of its nutritional value but also the good meaning that the dish brings in the new year. If the red color of lobster brings luck, health and happiness, this king of the sea is also likened to a dragon, a symbol of strength and prosperity. Meanwhile, green vegetables symbolize wishes for health and noodles indicate longevity.

Emperor Restaurant

Fortuna Hotel Hanoi
6B, Lang Ha, Ba Dinh, Hanoi
Tel: 04. 3831 3333.

4. Red snapper fillet in sambal sauce

Made from red snapper, also known as huachinango or pargoa, a very famous fish, sambal red snapper fillet is one of the special dishes that brings luck, according to the Chinese.

As the name suggests, the dish consists of fresh snapper fillet coated in a crispy batter, skillfully drizzled with lemongrass kale and sambal sauce served with salted egg yolk. The best way to enjoy this wonderful dish is with the signature Thai sticky white rice. This is a delicate combination of two Asian culinary styles, Chinese and Thai.

Fish and eggs, two of the main ingredients of this dish, have a very special meaning during the holidays. In Chinese pronunciation, the word “Yu” (meaning fish) has the same intonation as the word meaning “abundance”. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese people often use fish to symbolize the wish for abundance and fullness for their family in the new year. Chinese people believe that eggs symbolize the growth of all things. They have a tradition that after a child is born, the baby’s parents will hold a full month ceremony for the baby with red-dyed boiled eggs and ginger. Therefore, eggs are often served during the new year as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.

Silk Road Restaurant