Officially Fried Squid,Royal Naming of Nobility

Officially fried squid(chanos),origianally known as a different name of”braised squid(chanos)”,after added with “officially fried”,boasts of much nobility and becomes a well- known delicious dish.

In prosperous Qing Dynasty when Qianlong Emperor was in reign,he went southward to the Yangtze River for six times,with each time staying in Tianjin for a few days.The local officials then arranged a big feast for reception in Wanshougong restaurant(north of Wei Cheng in Tianjin)to win favor.Not far from this restaurant there was another famous restaurant called Juqingcheng,specialized in providing royal feasts.Why was it so reputed? lt’s said that the Manchu Han imperial Feast was held by the restaurant when Kangxi Emperor celebrated the enthronement.

One year,when Qianlong Emperor passed Tianjin again,officials provided the reception dinner for him in Juqingcheng.The restaurant accepted the glorious but challenging task and made devoted efforts for good preparation.They cooked a dish called”braised squid(chanos)”.Surprisingly,it received high praise from the Emperor, who believed that the dish was much better in terms of apperance,shape,taste and fragrance than that made by royal chef.Therefore,the Emperor made an exception to grant a summon to see the chef and gave him a yellow jacket and some bonus, changing the name of the dish to”official fried squid(chanos)”.

Hereafter,the name was so popular with common people and the dish naturally became one of the most cultural dishes representing Tianjin local style.

hancheng

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