Imagine a dish so visually stunning it’s named after a squirrel : Meet the Squirrel Mandarin Fish, a crown jewel of Jiangsu cuisine. This delicate fish is filleted, artfully carved into flower-like patterns, then fried until golden and crispy. The magic? A glossy sweet-and-sour sauce that makes the fish ‘bloom’ like a pinecone—legend says it even charmed Emperor Qianlong into making it a royal favorite!
Jiangsu cuisine, known for its ‘southern sweet’ style, balances flavors like a master painter. The dish’s tangy-sweet glaze isn’t just tasty—it’s a 600-year-old testament to China’s culinary creativity. Fun fact: Chefs train for years to perfect the knife skills needed to create that iconic ‘squirrel’ shape!
From imperial kitchens to TikTok food trends , this dish proves some recipes truly stand the test of time. Who’s craving a bite?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com