Lv'tan Fish Fragrance

Lv'tan Fish Fragrance

　　Lv'tan Fish Fragrance is a specialty dish from Lvtan Township, Fugou County, Zhoukou City, Henan Province. It is quite famous in Fugou. The fish prepared here is a dish where you taste the flavor but don’t see the actual fish—delicately fragrant and not greasy, known for its benefits of nourishing yin and yang, as well as warming the body and dispelling cold.

　　Lv'tan "Fish Fragrance" has been renowned since the Ming Dynasty. Back then, Lv'tan was one of the Four Famous Towns of Zhongzhou, bustling with merchants and shops, and the Liangliang River connected regions across the country. Right inside the south gate of the ancient Lv'tan town, under the lantern signs, the plaque of "Changgong Fish Fragrance" stood out prominently. The carp prepared at this shop was so fragrant that the aroma could reach Qili Jing even with the pot covered. One bite and you’d want another—that’s how good it was. Legend has it that when Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty passed through Lv'tan during his southern inspection by boat, he felt unwell due to the cold river breeze and travel fatigue, losing his appetite. His attendant went to the town to select food for him and was drawn by the fragrance of fish into "Changgong Fish Fragrance." After taking a taste himself, he found the flavor incredibly delicious and asked Chef Zhang to pack some in a food box to be sent along. After eating it, Emperor Qianlong was delighted and instantly perked up. Observing closely, Chef Zhang realized this was no ordinary person. He then got the idea to ask for an inscription. Seized by the delight of the delicious meal, Emperor Qianlong readily agreed and happily wrote the three characters “鱼香村” (Fish Fragrance Village). Later, when the shop owner learned that it had been the Emperor himself, he felt immensely fortunate. He had those three characters exquisitely carved and hung them above the door as the signboard. From then on, business flourished even more. Today, Lv'tan Fish Fragrance remains quite famous in Fugou. The fish is prepared in a way where you taste the flavor but don’t see the actual fish—delicately fragrant and not greasy, known for its benefits of nourishing yin and yang, as well as warming the body and dispelling cold. Zhang Junwei has inherited the family’s “Fish Fragrance” specialty and opened a restaurant in Lv'tan, offering ten different ways to cook fish, attracting a constant stream of diners.