A food fight with chopsticks? How the ‘prosperity toss’ became one of Lunar New Year’s most fun culinary traditions
CNN —
Anyone not familiar with the “prosperity toss,” a beloved Lunar New Year culinary tradition, could be forgiven for thinking they’ve just walked in on the world’s strangest food fight.
It is, admittedly, an unusual scene. As a tablecloth is laid, diners stand around the table, hovering close, chopsticks gripped tightly in their hands.
As each ingredient is added to a plate, auspicious words are chanted — first come the vegetables, then the slices of raw fish, followed by the dressing and, finally, garnishes such as nuts or wonton crisps.
NANJING, CHINA — JANUARY 21: Aerial view of a worker arranging red lanterns to dry at a workshop in preparation for the upcoming Spring Festival on January 21, 2025 in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Zhou Qiang/VCG via Getty Images)Related article A 2025 guide to Lunar New Year as we slither into the Year of the Snake
Everyone then digs into the salad at once, tossing the ingredients higher and higher while shouting louder and louder — all in the hopes of bringing good fortune for the coming year.
“Some of the most popular auspicious phrases include Huat ah! (meaning prosperity), Xin nian kuai le! (Happy New Year), and Da ji da li! (great luck and great fortune),” says Paul Liew, third-generation owner of Keng Eng Kee Seafood (KEK), a Michelin Guide-recommended no-frills food stall in Singapore that serves a wide range of delicious home-style Chinese dishes.
“The higher the toss, the more blessings you’re wishing for. But it’s more about the spirit of the celebration than a competition.”
Malaysia or Singapore: Who invented it?
The prosperity toss, also known as yusheng/yee sang (translated as raw fish) or lou sang/lo hei (stir up), is incredibly popular in