Grilled fish is one of my favorite Chinese dishes ever! It's hard to find this dish back in the U.S., so I've been trying to get my fill before I leave China. If you're a fan of seafood, then you'll definitely love this dish!
Grilled fish (炉鱼) is a dish originating from Sichuan province, a region known for its spicy food and overwhelming use of peppers. The fish (2-4 kg) typically comes served in a tray with red broth. If you move the fish, you'll find some delicious, hidden ingredients buried below it!
I've always enjoyed seafood, so I had a feeling I would like this dish. After my first bite, I completely fell in love. I thought to myself, why didn't I know about this dish before?
When you order this dish at a restuarant, you have to make three big decisions:
1. Fish species - Sometimes you get to pick which fish you want. You point at a fish in the tank, they tell you its weight, and then proceed to prepare it (they have to catch it first!).
2. Flavor - There are usually 5-8 different flavors you can choose from! Some of my favorites are sweet and sour with black beans, or Sichuan spicy.
3. Additional ingredients - If I'm eating with a friend, we'll order 3-4 more ingredients.