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Chinese New Year is 33 days away - or at least that's what the signs outside Fairprice tells us! As we ramp up towards the Lunar New Year celebrations in office, you have probably been asked at least once about ordering dragon lohei for the office. It seems that every year, every office expects their yusheng to be shaped like the zodiac animal of the year!
Image: Dragon Lohei setup by Neo Garden Catering for Chinese New Year celebrations
So what exactly is this Dragon Lohei, and did it only become a trend this year?
Dragon Lohei is a modern take on the traditional Yusheng. We guess that smart caterers came up with the idea as a solution to companies that have traditionally struggled with mass lohei sessions in the office. The concept has been available since a couple of years ago, and isn't just a year of the dragon trend.
Inspired by the very auspicious mythical creature, this innovative twist is basically a very long, twisty yusheng that has been arranged in the shape of a dragon using multiple lined up tables. The caterers usually place a dragon decoration head piece at the start of the long lohei as well.
Did you know that there's a Singapore record for the longest lohei?
Yes, you read that right. In 2018, Prudential Singapore broke the Singapore book of records for the longest dragon lohei in their office. The caterer took a whopping 8 hours to assemble the yusheng, using 2,880 kg of vegetables and 29 kg of fish.
Why does the lohei have to be a dragon?
On most other Chinese New Years, companies have explored lohei shapes from rabbits to roosters to even lions. The long dragon shape is a convenient response to companies that want to line up as many people as possible to do a mass lohei session.
Year 2024 will be the year of the dragon though, so why not have a dragon lohei to start the lunar new year?
Why should I choose a dragon lohei over the usual 10 pax yusheng trays?
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Instagrammability
One of the advantages of Dragon Lohei is that it's stunning! The elaborate arrangement of ingredients makes it a perfect centerpiece for corporate events. You can count on all your team members making instagram stories and Tik Toks of this. -
Unique and memorable experience
Participating in a dragon lohei tossing session is kind of like being in a conga line. It's a memorable experience squeezing with your colleagues that you won't forget in a hurry! -
Highly customisable
Unlike traditional Lohei, Dragon Lohei allows for creative customisation. Just let your caterer know how many pax you are feeding and they will arrange the length accordingly. You can also brief them on special symbols or imagery that you need to include, your company logo for example. - Great for inclusiveness
Traditional lohei requires staff to stand in groups of 10 to 15. The dragon lohei allows for inter-department mingling, and may give more people the chance of tossing the yusheng.
Image: Traditional abalone lohei for 10 pax from Gourmetz Catering, CNY 2024
Why shouldn't I choose the dragon lohei?
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Pricier: The elaborate preparation and intricate presentation of Dragon Lohei may come with a higher price tag compared to the traditional version. If your company is on a budget, you might not want to pay the premium for standing out.
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Time-consuming: Dragon Lohei's intricate design takes a lot more time for preparation, making it less suitable for those looking for a quick and straightforward option. Do consider this factor if you have a tight schedule for your Chinese New Year celebrations!
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Not for the germaphobes: While many appreciate the creativity of Dragon Lohei, some of the team members who are worried about hygiene may prefer the traditional Yusheng since it is shared by only 10 people. A Dragon Lohei is a mass affair, which may irk some, since masks are not compulsory anymore.
When planning your lohei session, do always keep in mind that regardless of how the dish looks, not everyone will be willing to participate, or will be pleased with the arrangements. Whether it be availability or hygiene, there will always be dropouts from every company's CNY celebrations. With this in mind, focus on the CNY catering budget and timeframe you've been given to work on the best possible catering for the session.
Lastly, if you ever needed help to plan your CNY celebration, or to customise a dragon lohei for your office, you can count on Catersmith's food experts to take care of your needs. Simply fill out the form below to get a quotation for CNY corporate catering or a dragon lohei.
