Description
The absolute masterpiece of Anhui cuisine (one of China's Eight Great Cuisines). Freshwater 'Mandarin Fish' soaked in brine and left for days until it emits an intense rotting/fermented odor. Then braised in a spicy garlic soy sauce.
Restaurants serving Chou Gui Yu (Stinky Mandarin Fish)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Mandarin Fish(or Sea Bass)
- Coarse salt
- Minced pork
- Bamboo shoots
- Garlic
- Chili
- Soy sauce
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- Gut and gill a fresh freshwater 'Mandarin Fish', washing out all blood.
- Rub generous salt inside and out, and place in a wooden barrel (or sealed container).
- Place a heavy stone on top and leave at 10-25°C for 6-
- days to undergo wild lactic fermentation. (*The fish will emit an intense odor like 'old socks' or 'garbage', but the meat does not rot; it becomes incredibly firm).
- Remove the fermented fish and rinse lightly.
- Heat oil in a wok and fry both sides of the fish until golden and aromatic.
- Add lard, massive garlic, ginger, chili, soy sauce, bamboo shoots, and shredded pork. Braise slowly in this rich gravy, overpowering the stink with umami.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Intense fermented ammonia odor、Garlic soy aroma
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
(Irreplaceable - different from Kusaya or dried fish)
Pairing
Shaoxing Wine / White Rice
Trivia
[Trivia] Historically, merchants salted river fish to transport it to deep mountains (Anhui). It smelled horrible upon arrival, but washing and boiling it revealed a masterpiece. The ultimate magic of fermentation.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] When it hits the table, it smells like a 'sewer'. But break the meat with chopsticks and put it in your mouth: it transforms into a 'premium garlic-soy white fish' exploding with fermented amino acids. You won't stop eating rice.
Allergen
Seafood, Pork, Soybeans, Wheat