Jingzhou Fish Cake

Jingzhou Fish Cake

　　Fish cake, also known as Lily Cake, commonly referred to as Jingzhou Flower Cake or "head dish," is one of the traditional famous dishes of Jingzhou City, Hubei Province. As one of the Eight Famous Dishes of Jingzhou, it boasts a long history. Legend has it that it was created by Nüying, the concubine of Emperor Shun, and is part of the culinary heritage of Jingsha Village in Lixin Township, Jingzhou City, Hubei Province.

　　As a result, fish cake became widely popular in the Chu region. It began as the foremost dish in the Chu royal court during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and remained a court dish even into the Qing Dynasty. It is said that after tasting Jingzhou Flower Cake, Emperor Qianlong spontaneously recited: “Eating fish yet not seeing fish, delightful as Lily Cake.” Hence the name Lily Cake.

　　Source: Office of the People's Government of Shashi District