Love or hate it, yusheng is a must during the Chinese New Year season.

There are only so many variations to this festive dish. Since it is basically constructed with julienne of root vegetables and slices of fish, with a sweet sauce over it, the way it looks makes all the difference.

With the Year of the Dog due to arrive soon, there are restaurants trying to get ahead of the pack with canine inspired yusheng designs.

Which of these doggy designs do you deem barkworthy?

1. Wealth and Health Yu Sheng from Hai Tien Lou

Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore

Address: 7 Raffles Boulevard, level 3, Marina Square, Singapore 039595

Tel: 6826-8240

Opening hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm, daily

You can't help but feel happy just looking at this smiling dog.

Then you'll have to eat it.

The Wealth and Health Yu Sheng (from $128) features Imperial Swiftlet's nest, Boston lobster and baby abalone, and is available till March 2.

You'll need to call ahead to order this.

2. Limited edition yusheng from Jade

The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

​1 Fullerton Square Singapore 049178

Tel: 6877-8188

Opening hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm (Mon to Fri); 12pm to 2.30pm (Sat and Sun); 6.30pm to 10.30pm (every day)

To create this Pekingese on the plate, Jade uses 23 ingredients including pickled papaya, yuzu, champagne jelly and salmon.

It'll set you back $999 and you'll need to order this three days in advance.

3. Salmon Yusheng from Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant

Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium

317 Outram Rd, Holiday Inn Atrium, 169075

Tel: 6731-7173

Opening hours: 12pm to 2.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily

Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant's decorated salmon yusheng with fish skin ($168) has a fruity touch: The passion fruit yogurt dressing.

To get the dog design, advance notice will be required.

4. Prosperity Salmon and Abalone Yu Sheng from Min Jiang

Goodwood Park Hotel

22 Scotts Rd, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221

Tel: 6730-1704

Opening hours: 11.30am to 2.30pm (Mon to Sat; 11am to 2.30pm (Sunday); 6.30pm to 10.30pm every day

The yusheng ($168) has the most subtle dog design - a delicate drawing on the plate, personally illustrated by Master Chef Chan Hwan Kee, that is almost too pretty to eat.

It has ingredients such as raw salmon slices, abalones, red tobiko, edible violet petals and red sorrel, topped with a dressing made of a mix of lime juice, lemongrass and plum sauce.

5. Salmon Yusheng from Ellenborough Market Cafe

Swissotel Merchant Court

20 Merchant Road, 058281

Tel: 6239-1847

Opening hours: 6.30am to 10.30am; 12pm to 2.30pm; 6.30 to 10pm every day; 3.30pm to 5.30pm (Sat, Sun and public holidays)

Ellenborough Market Cafe doesn't just offer one but five, so you can pick your favourite design for the Salmon Yu Sheng ($88). Ingredients include leek, pomelo, and purple cabbage.

6. Salmon yusheng from Food Capital

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

392 Havelock Rd, Singapore 169663

Opening hours: 6.30am to 10.30am; 12pm to 2.30pm; 6.30pm to 10.30pm, daily

Tel: 6233-1100

This yusheng is available at the eight-course Lunar New Year Private Feast offered by the hotel ($880 for a table of 10). But if you want to take it at the buffet restaurant Food Capital, it's at $108 and you'll need to give them a three-day heads up.

7. Salmon Yusheng from Amara Hotel Grand Ballroom

165 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088539

Tel: 6879-2551

Just for its guests dining on Feb 15 at the Grand Ballroom, this dogcentric yusheng will make an appearance.

You can choose between a few choices of menu, priced from $68 a person.

8. Bountiful Blessings Yusheng with Fugu from Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant

Outlets at UOB Plaza 1, Our Tampines Hub, Parkroyal on Beach Road, and Parkroyal on Kitchener Road

Go to http://www.sichuandouhua.com/ for more details

This is Singapore's first fugu yusheng ($198), and to make it more special, the thinly sliced fugu sashimi is displayed in the shape of a dog. If you prefer the sashimi to be presented in the shape of a crane, it costs $178.

But if fugu is too much digestive excitement for you, regular yusheng is available. But only the fugu one will take the form of a dog.

Book a meal at Xin Cuisine Chinese Restaurant, Ellenborough Market Cafe, Food Capital or Si Chuan Dou Hua with Chope.