The lo hei caller

All 18 phrases, in order

1. Add the raw fish slices Prosperity every year! (Nián Nián Yǒu Yú, 年年有余)
2. Add the dried orange peel Good luck and prosperity! (Dà Jí Dà Lì, 大吉大利)
3. Add the pepper and seasoning powders Incoming wealth! (Zhāo Cái Jìn Bǎo, 招财进宝)
4. Pour the oil May you make a ten thousand-fold profit from your investment! (Yī Běn Wàn Lì, 一本万利)
5. Drizzle the oil over May money pour in from all directions! (Cái Yuán Guǎng Jìn, 财源广进)
6. Add the shredded carrot Good luck is approaching (Hóng Yùn Dāng Tóu, 鸿运当头)
7. Add the shredded white radish May you rise to greater heights (Bù Bù Gāo Shēng, 步步高升)
8. Add the shredded cabbage May your endeavours be smooth-sailing (Fēng Shēng Shuǐ Qǐ, 风生水起)
9. Add the shredded green radish May you stay youthful forever (Qīng Chūn Cháng Zhù, 青春常驻)
10. Sprinkle the chopped peanuts May your house be full of gold and silver (Jīn Yín Mǎn Wū, 金银满屋)
11. Sprinkle the sesame seeds May your business prosper (Shēng Yì Xīng Lóng, 生意兴隆)
12. Sprinkle the fried crackers (“golden pillows”) May your floor be covered in gold (Mǎn Dì Huáng Jīn, 满地黄金)
13. More crackers May your hall be filled with gold and jade (Jīn Yù Mǎn Táng, 金玉满堂)
14. Pour the plum sauce or sweet dressing May your life be sweet (Tián Tián Mì Mì, 甜甜蜜蜜)
15. Start to toss May everything go as you wish (Wàn Shì Rú Yì, 万事如意)
16. Toss! May you stay strong and healthy (Shēn Tǐ Jiàn Kāng, 身体健康)
17. Toss higher! Wishing everyone great wealth (Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái, 恭喜发财)
18. Last toss: shout it loudest Get rich and lucky! (Huat Ah!, 发啊)

Order, pinyin and meanings from The Singapore Women’s Weekly (6 Feb 2026), which gives pinyin only: the Chinese characters are ours, the usual writing of each set phrase. We corrected two typos (Gǔang to Guǎng, “fllled” to “filled”). The order is a guide: restaurants and families vary, and often the waiter calls it.

What the ingredients stand for

• Fish slices: abundance in the coming year (fish, yu, sounds like abundance).
• Pomelo and carrot: good luck and prosperity.
• Peanuts, fried crisps and oil: great wealth and profits.
• Green radish: youthful beauty.
• Honey: sweetness and bliss.
• Lime and five-spice powder: blessings for all at the table.

The higher you toss, the more fortune you will have in the year, it is believed. And Day 7 of the New Year, Ren Ri (人日), everyone’s birthday, is the traditional day for it.

From Roots.gov.sg (National Heritage Board), Yusheng and Lo Hei.