Pingxiang Crispy Fish

Pingxiang Crispy Fish

　　Pingxiang Crispy Fish is a specialty of Pingxiang County in Xingtai City, Hebei Province. With an aromatic, tender, and flavorful taste that lingers, it is made by simmering a variety of fresh fish with multiple Chinese herbs for 3–4 hours. The flavor varies depending on individual ingredient combinations.

　　Pingxiang small crispy fish has a long history — in ancient times, the Pingxiang area was part of the vast Daliuzhe wetlands, spanning hundreds of square miles and prone to frequent flooding. Crop failures were common, and impoverished families often relied on boiled small fish to stave off hunger. As living conditions improved over time, the craftsmanship of making crispy fish became more refined, gradually evolving into a local delicacy.      Pingxiang’s crispy fish is representative of the region’s freshwater delicacies, renowned both domestically and internationally under the name “Shao’s Crispy Fish.” “Shao’s Crispy Fish” gained fame during the 16th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign when it was served at Baima Lake in Shangyu.

　　       Pingxiang Beiguan Crispy Fish boasts a long history, excellent quality, affordable price, and rich nutrition. Its tender meat and soft bones make it suitable for all ages, making it a strong contender for the title of Pingxiang’s top local snack. The most iconic Pingxiang snack is the old-style Beiguan Clay Pot Crispy Fish from Pingxiang. According to incomplete statistics, there are over 200 people in Beiguan alone engaged in selling crispy fish, with a total of over 260 in areas including Chengguan and Qizhuang.

     Main ingredients: Pingxiang Crispy Fish is made using a variety of fresh fish as the base, along with seasonings such as refined salt, scallions, ginger, garlic, sugar, cooking wine, star anise, Sichuan peppercorn, fennel, cardamom, cinnamon, and dried tangerine peel.

Top Ten Specialties of Pingxiang County: 1. Lincheng Black Peanuts 2. Longyao Lamb Soup 3. Nanhe Millet Pancakes 4. Linxi Hollow Hand-Pulled Noodles 5. Chengjia Roast Chicken 6. Wu Laopang Pancake Rolls 7. Xingtai Chestnuts 8. Linxi Asparagus 9. Nanhe Golden Rice 10. Lincheng Thin-Skinned Walnuts