The Malaysians of Chinese ethnicity love this special dish which is ubiquitous when the Chinese Lunar Year is approaching. A couple of weeks before the new year, most hotels and restaurants will offer this on their menu.
This "Yee Sang" as it is called, is actually a special salad that is very colorful. There are white radish strips complemented by the orange carrot strips and green cucumber strips. These are arranged on a dish and scattered on top of it are crushed crackers, coarsely pounded peanuts, fragrant sesame seeds, shredded coriander leaves as well as pomelo. Some oil and sweet sauce are poured into this salad to which is added fresh raw salmon. Some people use abalone or jelly fish, depending on their preferences.
Yee Sang is a dish that is to be shared by many people. You can't eat it by yourself. Chopsticks are provided and everyone stands up to toss this salad into the air, mixing up all the ingredients and pronouncing their desires for good health,good luck, wealth, longetivity, etc., etc.... The higher you toss, the better your luck.
This dish is usually a starter which is then followed by other dishes ordered ala carte or in a set menu comprising special dishes to usher in a new and prosperous year. It is readily available throughout the Chinese New Year season and one can also buy it as a takeaway to be enjoyed at home with old and young in the family.
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