West Lake V inegar Fish,Unique Sour Taste
2 min read
You can see from the dish name”West Lake Vinegar Fish”that it’s original from Hangzhou,Zhejiang province. Actually it’s a famous local dish with a long history,first made in Song Dynasty.It’s indeed a classic dish with well-deserved reputation.No wonder that tourists travelling to Hangzhou must order this dish so that they feel the trip is complete.
There’s a touching story behind the dish.A long time ago,two brothers Isurnamed Song)lived by the West Lake.They had abundant knowledge through experiences in learning but desired for a simple and quiet life,thus making a living by fishing.The wife of the elder brother is so pretty that one official in the city wanted to occupy her.Then he had the elder brother murdered.
The younger brother hurried to yamen(the local government office)to accuse the evil officer,but he was severely beaten by the corrupt officials.To protect the younger brother,his sister-in-law asked him to flee from hometown.Before he left nome,his sister-in-law cooked a large bowl of fish with sugar and vinegar,saying: lhe hsh is of both sweet and sour taste.Like in life,you will undergo sweet things and bitterness or sufferings. I hope you will never forget your elder brother’s being “urdered.One day when you have capability,you must do something for him.
Later,the younger brother studied hard,won a success during the imperial llllnation and became an official He returned to his hometown in glory,ridded the people of evils and avenged his brother.Then he made utmost efforts to look for his sister-in-law,but failed.One day,he was invited to a dinner banquet by a family.At the dinner,he found a fish d ish with the same taste as the one his sister-in- law had prepared for him.Hence,he invited the chef out,and it turned out the chef was his sister-in-law.He was excited and took her home.
After that,the way of cooking West Lake Vinegar Fish was spread widely among people and passed down until nowadays.
