Gongcheng Oil Tea Fish

Last updated 2026-11-16 — Gongcheng Oil Tea Fish is a specialty dish from Gongcheng in Guilin, Guangxi. The fish used in this dish can include grass carp, common carp, or grouper, with grouper being the best choice. The fresh grouper is cleaned and sliced into thin, large pieces. The removed fish bones can be used as the base in the oil tea or deep-fried for eating, while the fish head can be braised with local chili peppers and tomatoes. This allows for multiple delicious ways to enjoy one fish. The fish slices are blanched in the oil tea, resulting in a tender texture. The prepared oil tea fish soup is richly flavorful—combining the unique taste of oil tea with the sweetness of fish broth, the two blend perfectly to create a truly exquisite dish.