Steamed Double Stinky

Steamed Double Stinky

　　Steamed Double Stinky is a specialty snack from Jiaxing, Zhejiang. It combines two of the region’s most pungent ingredients—stinky tofu and stinky seaweed stems—along with a small amount of oil, sugar, ginger slices, and other seasonings. The mixture is then steamed over high heat in a double boiler. After ten minutes, it’s garnished with chopped scallions and shredded chili peppers. This dish delivers an intense flavor that is stinky yet fragrant, and incredibly delicious. Good and bad, fragrant and stinky are all relative—just like these fermented tofu pieces. Through the process of fermentation, they not only lose their pristine appearance but also undergo a complete transformation in taste. Yet paradoxically, their role between stink and fragrance remains highly ambiguous. Stinky yet fragrant, fragrant yet stinky. The stinkier, the more fragrant. And the people of Xitang have truly mastered the art of creating dishes that are stinky yet delicious.