Photo by Cloris Ying on Unsplash
Many restaurants offer a variety of dishes that are synonymous with Chinese culture. In addition to the very famous basket cake, there are also other dishes that are usually always present in the Chinese New Year celebration, Yu Sheng, also known as Yee sang.
Yu Sheng is a special menu in the Chinese cultural tradition that can only be enjoyed between Chinese New Year and Cap Gomeh. The specialty feels thick when eat it with family or close friends, accompanied by prayers of soul warmth.
This typical Chinese food is in the form of fresh fish salad with finely sliced vegetables such as carrots and turnips. The fish meat they used is tuna or salmon which has been soaked in a mixture of sesame oil, cooking oil, and pepper. While the sauce is made from a mixture of cooking oil and sesame oil, in addition to the plum sauce, sugar, and cinnamon powder. The way to eat it is quite unique, which is eaten in a roll, then lifts up the filling using chopsticks, as a symbol of achieving great success throughout this year.
In Jakarta alone, you can only enjoy Yu Sheng in certain restaurants. This menu is not easily available in all Chinese restaurants, even though it is still Chinese New Year atmosphere. Here are five restaurants in Jakarta that serve Yu Sheng.
1. Putien
If you belong to Chinese home-style connoisseurs, then Putien can be the right choice. This Singapore-based restaurant offers a homey atmosphere. The pastel nuance of this restaurant describes beach shade, like the regional characteristics of the name of this restaurant, Putian. In 2016-2018, Putien was awarded Michelin one-star restaurant. Special for Chinese New Year, Putien serves Yu Sheng in various sizes, small (Rp 299.000++), medium (Rp 399.000++), and large. (Rp 499.000++). Every Yu Sheng order, you also have the chance to get free ang bao.
2. The Duck King
Apart from its name that carries processed duck meat as their main menu, for Chinese New Year, The Duck King also serves Yu Sheng. Interestingly, The Duck King also adds fine duck meat slices to its Yu Sheng, which creates a fibrous sensation once you eat. Yu Sheng can be enjoyed on three set menus for 10 people, Set Menu A (Rp 3.988.000++), Set Menu B (Rp 5.688.000++), and Set Menu C (Rp 8.888.000++).
Photo Source: @theduckkingid
3. Fook Yew
The name Fook Yew is not an English swear word. In Chinese 'Fook' means prosperity, and 'Yew' means friendship. In terms of their food and decoration, Fook Yew combines ancient and modern Chinese elements.
Welcoming Chinese New Year, this Chinese restaurant offers Yu Sheng as part of a dinner set menu for eight people, which is divided into two packages, Paket A (Rp 1.288.000) for six people and Paket C (1.888.000) for eight people. Besides Yee sang, of course, you can also enjoy Fook Yew's signature dishes such as Sheng Jian Bao, fried Bakpao with meaty gravy filling, to Jinshan Pheonix Dumpling, dim sum with stuffed shrimp, salted egg, and spinach.
4. The Grand Nihao
Located in Lippo Mall Puri, The Grand Nihao offers classic Yu Sheng flavors, complete with cutlery which is a symbol of prosperity. The price is quite affordable, starting at Rp 150,000 for four to six people. Don't forget to try the super tasty Hong Kong-style Tim Fish and Fish Sapo Tahu Soup!
5. Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is known as a restaurant that serves Chinese food in a contemporary casual style. For Chinese New Year, Din Tai Fung offers Yee sang ala carte in two sizes, medium Rp. 288,000 and large Rp. 388,000 per portion. However, Din Tai Fung’s Yu Shengs are only available at Kota Kasablanka, Mal Taman Anggrek, and Plaza Senayan.
Photo Source: @dintaifungsg