Hezhe People’s Raw Fish Dish

Hezhe People’s Raw Fish Dish

　　As the saying goes, "Those who live by the mountains live off the mountains, and those who live by the water live off the water." The Hezhe people, residing in the Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China, make their living by fishing. They wear clothing made from fish skin and fish is their staple food. Through long years of life experience, the Hezhe people have developed numerous methods for processing fish. Among these, the most noteworthy is the “Raw Fish Dish.”

　　The “Raw Fish Dish” can be described as the Hezhe people’s version of “sashimi,” but its preparation method is quite different from that of Japanese sashimi. So, how exactly is the Hezhe people’s “Raw Fish Dish” made?

　　Ingredients for the Raw Fish Dish:

　　The main ingredients are common fish species from the Songhua River basin, such as carp, sturgeon, kaluga, and bighead carp.

　　Side and supplementary ingredients include potatoes, mung bean sprouts, cellophane noodles (vermicelli), chili oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar.

　　Preparation process:

　　Prepare two whole slices of fish meat carved from the fish bones, then cut them into long connected shreds. Also blanch cut potatoes, bean sprouts, cellophane noodles, or vermicelli in boiling water. Mix the two types of ingredients together with oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil. And thus, a uniquely flavored “Raw Fish Dish” is ready.

　　The Raw Fish Dish is simple to prepare, yet it has a refreshing taste and a distinctive flavor.