Sesame Trevally

Sesame Trevally

　　“Sesame Trevally” (scientific name: Mystus guttatus), an extremely rare freshwater fish, is found only in the rivers within Luodian County and the stretch of the Hongshui River that flows through dozens of kilometers of Luodian. Why it is exclusive to Luodian remains a mystery to this day. The sesame trevally is scaleless, shaped like a sword, has sharp fins, and is named for the sesame-like spots on its body.

　　There are many famous fish species in Luodian, such as the well-known——including mandarin fish, the delicious pig-mouthed fish (scientific name: Coreius guichenoti), the renowned Chinese hook-snout carp, the flat-mouthed fish (scientific name: Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) which is meaty and has few bones, the silvery-white fish whose internal organs are visible as it swims in the water, and the cave-dwelling dark river fish known as rock carp that lives in year-round darkness in mountain caves and underground streams. Although these fish are well-known, none enjoy the same fame as the sesame trevally. Why? Because the sesame trevally not only has tender, flavorful meat with few bones and rich nutrition—regular consumption is believed to nourish the brain, beautify the skin, strengthen the body, and promote longevity—but it also stands out among other fish due to its unique cooking characteristics—it stays intact even when pan-fried for a long time, remains tender even after prolonged boiling, and releases a subtle, magical fragrance when eaten, delighting diners and leaving an unforgettable impression. As the saying goes, “The finest delicacies in the world are the turtle dove in the sky, the bamboo rat on the ground (a small rodent-like animal), and the sesame trevally in the water.” This saying is no exaggeration.

　　Sesame trevally is found only in Luodian, is scarce, and hard to catch (it lives in deep waters), making it all the more precious (its price on dining tables in Guangdong and Guangxi is jaw-dropping). It is the best dish Luodian locals serve to honored guests. “If you come to Luodian and don’t try sesame trevally, you might as well not have come at all.” For visitors from elsewhere, coming to Luodian without tasting sesame trevally is truly a great regret in life.