Sangxu Crucian Carp

Sangxu Crucian Carp

　　Sangxu Crucian Carp is a specialty of Sangxu Town, Shuyang County, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province. The Sangxu Lake in Shuyang produces a unique type of crucian carp with soft bones and tender spines. These fish are large, have fine scales, are rich in fat, and have delicious meat. When eaten, even their bones and spines are soft, eliminating any risk of choking, and they can be compared to the famous Songjiang perch.

　　Shuyang is crisscrossed with rivers and is abundant in aquatic products. It is said that over two thousand years ago, a massive earthquake occurred, causing the ground to sink and water to accumulate, forming lakes. About 20 kilometers north of downtown Shuyang lies Sangxu Lake. In those days, the shores of Sangxu Lake were often home to rare birds such as cranes, swans, wild ducks, great bustards, and herons. At dawn and dusk, the honking of these wild birds echoed through the sky. These birds could be seen flying together with wings spread, returning to their nests in pairs, gently nuzzling necks, or leisurely playing in the water, creating picturesque and serene natural scenery that earned it the nickname "Little West Lake." The lake produced a unique type of crucian carp with soft bones and tender spines. These fish are large, have fine scales, are rich in fat, and have delicious meat. When eaten, even their bones and spines are soft, eliminating any risk of choking, and they can be compared to the famous Songjiang perch. Over the dynasties, it was listed as a tribute product and highly favored by emperors. For hundreds of years, its reputation has remained undiminished.

　　It is said that when Emperor Qianlong traveled to the south of the Yangtze River, he passed through Haizhou near Sangxu. The prefect of Haizhou had people catch soft-boned crucian carp from Sangxu overnight, selected a renowned chef to prepare a dish, and presented it to the emperor. After tasting it, Emperor Qianlong highly praised the fish, complimenting its unparalleled flavor. From then on, the soft-boned crucian carp from Sangxu gained immense prestige and became a delicacy on the dining table.

　　According to recent on-site investigations: the soft-boned crucian carp still exists in Sangxu today, though in limited numbers. It can still be caught in the wild waters around the “Little West Lake” area, but it is quite rare.