In Dazu, Chongqing, there is a delicacy that has spanned over 200 years, evolving from a roadside stall on the ancient Chengdu-Chongqing Post Road to an intangible cultural heritage card driving a 200-million-yuan industry — Youting Crucian Carp. As a famous Chongqing intangible heritage food and a classic Bashu cuisine, this crucian carp, coated in red oil and infused with the aroma of pickled peppers, is not only a deep-rooted taste memory for Dazu people but also a vivid representative of Bashu cuisine, attracting countless food lovers to travel to this city for a Dazu food guide and a bite of this deliciousness.
The birth of Youting Crucian Carp is closely linked to the historical context of Youting Town in Dazu. During the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty, Youting Town, as a vital transportation hub on the ancient Chengdu-Chongqing Post Road, was bustling with merchants and travelers. Pedestrians from north to south stopped here for rest and supplies, creating a demand for convenient and delicious food. Seizing this opportunity, local fisherman Liu Rude used fresh crucian carp from the Fujiang River as the main ingredient, cooked with pickled vegetable seasonings commonly used by families in Sichuan and Chongqing, and unexpectedly won the favor of passing officials and merchants. This little kitchen fire has been passed down along the post road to this day, named “Youting Crucian Carp” after its origin in Youting Town. There is also a popular saying in the local area: “Crucian carp can never grow up in Youting”, which fully reflects its popularity.
As a municipal intangible heritage of Chongqing listed in 2014, the charm of Youting Crucian Carp lies in its extreme adherence to ingredients and craftsmanship, which is also the core of the Youting Crucian Carp recipe. In terms of ingredient selection, authentic Dazu Youting Crucian Carp must use fresh hemp crucian carp or silver crucian carp, weighing about 200-250 grams. Crucian carp of this size has tender and firm meat, which is neither too greasy nor dry. Fishermen adhere to “killing live fish on the spot” — from catching and weighing the fish to cleaning it, the whole process is transparent, ensuring that every bite is fresh and flavorful, which is the key to distinguishing Dazu Youting Crucian Carp from other crucian carp dishes.
The cooking technique is the soul of this delicacy, and the centuries-old “one fish, three ways” technique maximizes the deliciousness of the crucian carp. First, boil the fish bones to make a rich base: put the processed fish bones into a pot, add stock and simmer slowly to make a milky white soup, laying the foundation for the umami of the whole dish. Second, add the freshly killed fish into the soup: gently put the sliced fish into the bone soup and simmer over medium heat, avoiding frequent turning to prevent the fish from breaking. Third, add fish bubbles to enhance umami: the addition of fish bubbles not only enriches the taste but also makes the soup more umami.
The combination of seasonings highlights the characteristics of Bashu’s riverside cuisine and is also the key to the flavor of Youting Crucian Carp. Chefs first heat farm rapeseed oil, stir-fry Pixian bean paste, old jar pickled peppers, pickled ginger, Sichuan peppercorns, fermented soybeans and other seasonings until the aroma overflows, then pour in the boiled fish bone soup and bring it to a boil. Next, add the fish and simmer slowly. Before serving, drizzle with sesame oil, sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, and a bowl of Youting Crucian Carp with spicy, sour, fresh and fragrant flavor and bright red color is ready. The first taste is the numbness of Sichuan peppercorns, followed by the slight sourness of pickled peppers, and finally the sweetness of the fish meat. Various flavors interweave in the mouth, with rich layers, making people want more and more.
Today, Youting Crucian Carp has long developed from a roadside snack to an important carrier of the integration of Culture, commerce and tourism in Dazu, and it is also a must-try for the Dazu food guide. Along the Dayou Highway, the “Crucian Carp Street” is in full bloom, with time-honored stores such as “Youting Sister Liu Crucian Carp” and “Youting Chen Crucian Carp” being top Youting food recommendations, enjoying a great reputation. Every meal time, the stores are full of customers, and the aroma fills the streets and alleys. Among them, “Youting Sister Liu Crucian Carp”, as an intangible heritage inheritance store, the owner adheres to the ancestral formula and stir-fries seasonings by hand to restore the most authentic flavor of the post road. “Time-honored Zhong’s Crucian Carp and Fatty Intestine Fish” launched a combination of crucian carp and fatty intestines — the glutinous fatty intestines match the tender fish meat, bringing a double delicious experience to the taste buds, and you can enjoy it to your heart’s content with a per capita cost of 60-80 yuan, making it an excellent choice for the Dazu food guide.
There are many hidden tips for checking in Youting Crucian Carp in Dazu. Before eating the fish, drink a bowl of original soup to feel the complex flavor of spicy, sour, fresh and fragrant. Dip the fish meat in the seasonings at the bottom of the plate for a richer taste. After eating the fish, add side dishes such as bean sprouts, konjac and potatoes to blanch, and the side dishes soaked in soup are more flavorful than the fish. Pair it with a bowl of fried rice with eggs, and the soup with rice is extremely delicious. In addition, diners who go to check in are advised to go during off-peak hours or make an appointment in advance to avoid waiting in line. Some stores also provide free car washing services, with thoughtful details.
From a roadside stall in the Xianfeng period of the Qing Dynasty to today’s Chongqing intangible heritage food and industrial cluster, Youting Crucian Carp has written a legend of fireworks with 200 years of time. It not only carries the cultural context and fireworks of Dazu but also interprets the wisdom and inclusiveness of Bashu cuisine, and its unique Youting Crucian Carp recipe has been passed down from generation to generation. When coming to Dazu, in addition to visiting the world cultural heritage Dazu Rock Carvings, you must try a bowl of authentic Dazu Youting Crucian Carp, and understand the fireworks and tenderness of this city in the spicy, sour, fresh and fragrant flavor, completing a perfect Dazu food guide.
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