Hecur River-Opening Fish

Hecur River-Opening Fish

　　Hecur River-Opening Fish is a specialty of Hecur County in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. The River-Opening Fish is not only bright in color, tender in texture, delicious in taste, and highly nutritious, but also a famous local dish in the winding landscapes of northwestern Shanxi’s Hecur County.

　　In Hecur County along the Yellow River in northwestern Shanxi, “River-Opening Fish” is a long-renowned local specialty. According to the “Hecur County Annals,” during the reigns of Emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, local officials would present the “River-Opening Fish” caught after the ice thawed as tribute to the emperor every spring. The Yellow River carp is considered the best among River-Opening Fish, known for its delicious taste and believed to have strong tonic and healing properties. It is praised by locals as the “living ginseng.”

　　What is River-Opening Fish? It refers to fish caught as the frozen Yellow River begins to thaw, specifically those that have overwintered beneath the ice. During the frozen period, the fish remain dormant, still and undisturbed, purifying their internal organs, cleansing their exterior, storing nutrients, and converting glycogen. Living in such pristine conditions, their flesh becomes extraordinarily tender and pure. This transformation enhances the freshness and purity of the fish meat, giving it an unprecedentedly fresh flavor. This is precisely what makes River-Opening Fish so popular among food lovers.

　　Unique ways to enjoy River-Opening Fish in Hecur:

　　How to cook River-Opening Fish: stewed with sauce, gently simmered, or fried if small. Usually, no seasonings other than salt are needed. Best side dishes to pair with the fish include baked corn cakes, wild mountain vegetables, River-Opening Fish, chicken stewed with mushrooms, and oat noodle soup made with River-Opening Fish broth. As the saying goes: “Soaking oat noodles in River-Opening Fish broth is better than being an immortal.”

　　The carp produced in the Tangjiahui and Hewan areas of Hecur County is the most famous. It features a large mouth, few scales, and a red streak along its spine, with tender, flavorful meat. Yellow River carp typically weighs around 1.5 kilograms, though some can grow to two or even three kilograms.