Quick Answer
What is yum seng?
Yum seng, also spelled yam seng, meaning roughly "drink for success," is a toast shouted by guests at a Chinese wedding banquet, usually led by the emcee. The phrase is typically repeated in several rounds, with the group's pitch and volume rising each time before everyone drinks together.
Last updated:
Last updated:
What is yum seng?
Also called: yam seng, yum sing, the wedding toast.
Yum seng is the loudest, most communal moment of a Chinese wedding banquet — an emcee raises a glass, guests raise theirs, and a call of "yam seng!" goes around the room, usually more than once, climbing higher and louder each round before the whole table drinks together. It is common at Cantonese and Southeast Asian Chinese banquets, especially in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia.
How the yum seng toast works
- •Usually led by the wedding emcee or a designated toastmaster.
- •The phrase "yam seng" is called out and repeated by all guests, often in three escalating rounds, each louder than the last.
- •Guests raise their glasses together and drink after the final round.
- •Can happen more than once during a banquet — commonly at the start and again to honour the couple at a key moment.
Planning notes
- •Brief your emcee or MC in advance on when in the reception timeline you would like the yum seng toast to happen.
- •Make sure every table has drinks poured and ready before the toast starts, since it is meant to be simultaneous across the room.
- •If you have guests unfamiliar with the custom, a quick explanation from the MC beforehand keeps everyone comfortable joining in.
Know your final headcount before the banquet
Weddingkart's RSVP tracking gives you an accurate final headcount ahead of the banquet, so seating and catering numbers for moments like the yum seng toast are right.
See RSVP tracking →Frequently Asked Questions
What does "yum seng" mean?
It translates roughly to "drink for success" or "drink to victory," and is called out as a group toast at the banquet.
How many times is yum seng repeated?
Commonly in three escalating rounds of increasing volume or pitch, though the exact number can vary by MC and banquet style.
Is yum seng specific to one region?
It is most strongly associated with Cantonese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, and Malaysian Chinese wedding banquets, rather than being universal across every Chinese wedding tradition.
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By Mayank JaiswalLast updated