Singapore Chinese New Year :-)

This Chinese New Year, all Chinese around the world will welcome the Year of the Dragon, one of the most anticipated holidays of the Chinese calendar.

Here in Singapore, the Chinese make up nearly 75% of the population.

(ingredients for the traditional new year dish "Yu Sheng" before it was all mixed with Salmon and other spices/condiments) ☺

(fresh Salmon)

(our Singaporean waitresses preparing our "Salmon Yu Sheng" and at the same time greeting us 'Happy Chinese New Year') ☺

"Prosperity Salmon Yu Sheng"

The seasonal "Yu Sheng" is served traditionally on Chinese New Year as an iconic symbol of good tidings for the New Year.

This delicacy, created in Singapore, is a MUST-HAVE on every dining table of Singaporeans every Chinese New Year. ☺

The crackers represent gold and the fish represent wealth...

(Thousands here in Singapore ushered in the Lunar New Year at Singapore's Chinatown.)

As I take part in Singapore's New Year festivities, I wish to greet everyone a joyful "Gong Xi Fa Cai" or "Happy Chinese New Year" and an abundance of goodwill for the coming year. ☺

What's Singapore Chinese New Year like??

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival (the biggest and most significant event of the Chinese community), is one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions in Singapore each year, and is observed by Singaporeans from all walks of life.

Singaporeans visit relatives and friends for the first two days of the New Year...
 give each other an "exchange gift" of mandarin oranges and '"angpows" (little red envelopes with money enclosed)...
 gather together to partake in a new year dish they call "Yu Sheng"...
 participate in long mahjong sessions...
 and share goodies like biscuits, cakes, candies, and "bah-kwa" (sweet barbecued meat slices).
 Kids would usually have fun with hand-held sparklers, too.