Lunar New Year (also called Spring Festival) signals the coming of spring and the promise of hope and new beginnings. It is tradition to gather family and friends for Lo Hei (meaning “tossing up good fortune”) – a prosperity toss salad traditionally consisting of fresh fish, shredded vegetables, fried crackers, and plum sauce.

Each Lo Hei ingredient has a special significance for the upcoming year, such as good fortune, eternal youth, prosperity, or strong ties with family and friends. Served on a large plate or platter, everyone joins in to toss and mix the ingredients while saying hopeful well-wishes out loud to herald in good luck. The higher the toss, the more prosperity it is purported to bring in the year ahead.

There are many interpretations of Lo Hei. Our talented chefs at Hong Kong Disneyland shared their version with ramen noodles, smoky salmon, briny abalone, prawns, and shredded vegetables with delicious sesame and chili-soy sauces.

Check out the full recipe below, and we wish you a Happy Lunar New Year!

Lo Hei with Sesame and Chili-Soy Sauces from Hong Kong Disneyland
Serves 4

LO HEI

• 1 medium (200 grams) seedless cucumber, julienne (1 1/4 cups)
• 3 large (220 grams) carrots, julienne (1 cup)
• 1 small (60 grams) Japanese turnip, julienne (2/3 cup)
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) thinly sliced seaweed of assorted colors
• 6 ounces (160 grams) prawn with shell
• 8 ounces (240 grams) ramen noodles
• 12 ounces (360 grams) sliced smoked salmon
• 5 ounces (160 grams) drained canned abalone (16 pieces)

CHILI-SOY SAUCE

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 3/4 teaspoon (4 grams) garlic paste
• 1 small (4 grams) red chili pepper, julienne
• 1/3 cup (75 milliliters) sweet soy sauce

TOPPINGS

• 3/4 cup (175 milliliters) roasted bottled sesame salad dressing
• 1 cup (60 grams) small rice crackers
• 1/2 cup (40 grams) fried shallots

FOR LO HEI:

1. Wash julienned cucumber, carrot, turnip, and seaweed in cold water. Drain and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Bring large pot of water to boil. Add prawn and cook for 5 minutes, until they turn pink and curl. Remove with slotted spoon and place in cold water. Drain, then remove shells. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Bring large pot of water to boil. Add ramen noodles and cook 5 minutes, until soft. Drain and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Fold sliced smoked salmon into rings. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Rinse canned abalone in cold water. Drain and refrigerate until ready to serve.

FOR CHILI-SOY SAUCE:

1. Heat vegetable oil in small skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, until hot. Add garlic paste and red chili pepper and sauté 5 minutes, until peppers are soft. Add soy sauce and remove from heat.
2. Cool to room temperature before serving.

TO SERVE:

1. Pour chili-soy sauce and roasted sesame dressing in separate small bowls.
2.  Place shredded vegetables and noodles on the bottom of large plate. Top with prawn, smoked salmon, and abalone.
3. Sprinkle with rice crackers and fried shallots. Drizzle with chili-soy sauce and roasted sesame salad dressing and toss to mix.

Note: Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby. This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe.