Hou'an Mullet

Hou'an Mullet

　　Hou'an mullet is a specialty of Hou'an Town, Wanning City, Hainan Province. The Hou'an mullet is abundantly produced in the Hou'an Small Sea. There are five types of mullet: blackhead mullet, whitebelly mullet, red mullet, green mullet, and hard-scale mullet. The Hou'an mullet has an elongated, slightly flattened body, a flat head, a protrusion at the front of the lower jaw, a depression in the center of the upper jaw, and two dorsal fins. Hou'an mullet can be caught all year round, with autumn and winter being the peak season. It is a high-end fish species and a seafood tonic. Not only is it a delicacy for banquets, but it is also one of the best tonics for the elderly, children, the sick and weak, and women after childbirth.

　　Hou'an mullet is a renowned aquatic product of Gangbei Small Sea. Together with Heluo crab and Gangbei prawn, it is known as the “Three Famous Products of Gangbei Small Sea.” When combined with Dongshan goat, these become the widely celebrated and renowned “Four Famous Dishes of Wanzhou.” The history of Hou'an mullet dates back a long time. According to the *Wanzhou Annals*, the ancestors of the Hou'an fishermen migrated from the coastal regions of Fujian and Guangdong during the Song Dynasty. Since then, the local fishermen have been catching Hou'an mullet in the inland sea. Local fishermen say that by the Yuan and Ming dynasties, Hou'an mullet had already become a major “aquatic brand” in the area.

　　Gangbei Small Sea is a large lagoon with a coastline stretching 59.5 kilometers and covering an area of 49 square kilometers. Mullet can be found throughout the inland sea, but the fattest and most delicious ones come from Quchong Bay to Baishi Bay in Hou'an Town. The most authentic “Hou'an mullet” is caught in Hou'an Bay and Chaogang Bay. There are five types of Hou'an mullet: blackhead mullet, whitebelly mullet, red mullet, green mullet, and hard-scale mullet. The Hou'an mullet has an elongated, slightly flattened body, a flat head, a protrusion at the front of the lower jaw, a depression in the center of the upper jaw, and two dorsal fins. Small ones are about 10 centimeters long, while large ones can reach 50–70 centimeters. Mullet feed on diatoms and other microorganisms attached to the mud surface. The Longwei River, the third-largest river in Wanning, flows into Hou'an Bay. This bay has thick layers of silt and sand on the seabed, abundant growth of seaweed, and a rich supply of planktonic microorganisms and humus, providing plentiful natural food. As a result, Hou'an Bay naturally becomes the ideal pasture for Hou'an mullet. The seafood produced in such a uniquely favorable environment makes Hou'an mullet exceptionally high in quality.

　　Hou'an mullet is a high-end fish species and seafood tonic in Hainan Island. It can be caught all year round, with autumn and winter being the peak season. It is not only a delicacy for banquets but also one of the best tonics for the elderly, children, the sick and weak, and women after childbirth. Hou'an mullet is rich in nutrients, with delicious, tender, and snow-white flesh. Its preparation methods are also quite particular. It can be braised, steamed, stir-fried, poached in soup, or pan-fried, but steaming best preserves its original flavor, texture, and taste, presenting vibrant color, tender flesh, and a delicious flavor.