When I recently wrote about my top Chinese cuisine dishes, it was a struggle to select just five out of the many hundreds of my favorite Chinese foods. So I want to share one more dish in particular that I originally had on the list but then decided to change for the bullfrog, which I thought was a slightly more unique dish.
However, this dish, though humble in ingredients, is spectacular in its own right: it’s the roast catfish (烤鲶鱼) with pickled vegetables (泡菜) and chilies at Yumen Kezhan. The giant fleshy fish is served hidden under a mound of spices and a big pile of Chinese celery and onions, all served bubbling in oil in a big tray over red-hot coals. The mix of sour pickled vegetables, hot but not overpowering spice, crunchy sweet celery and the meaty chewy fish is brilliant, especially over some plain rice to soak up the juices and cut the spice. It’s the perfect winter dish because the heat from the coals, not to mention the chilies, keeps you nice and toasty.
View all my latest articles under my dining blog - The Dish
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
Hmm, I've been there and it was super delicious. I thought it's on Xikang lu, no? Maybe my fault. When I went, it was lunch time and there were 4 of us. It was sooo tasty but i haven't gone back again. Since my friend treated me on it, i don't know how much it cost. What is the price for one order? Isn't it over 100RMB?
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
There are 3 branches of Yumen Kezhan but I'm not sure if there's one on Xikang. As for price, I can't remember the exact amount we paid for the spicy catfish but the average dinner cost is 67 rmb per person according to Dianping. A very reasonable price for such a tasty dinner!
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
I'm curious how YK's roast fish compares with Zhu Ge Kao Yu's and Xingfu 131's renditions.
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
Update! I tried Xingfu 131's roast fish tonight and it was not nearly as tasty as YK's version. Although it may not be fair to compare the Yu Xiang Roast Catfish 鱼香烤鲶鱼 at 131 with the Pao Jiao fish 泡椒烤鲶鱼 at YK, the Yuxiang was way too sweet, it was like eating candied fish and the garnishes of cucumber and leek--the cucumber becoming soggy and warm and the leek being inedible--could not compare to the crunchy satisfying celery from YK. However, to be fair, I'll go back to 131 sometime and try their 泡椒 version. Hopes are not *too* high, because the other dishes I had tonight at 131 (a noodle dish and mapo tofu) were also firmly mediocre.
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
Don't write 131 off so early, looks like you ordered wrong. They might be not the masters of yuxiang flavor, but spicy-and-numbing sensations they conjure well, with the baked fish and without it. The dishes to come for are potatoes with short ribs (土豆炒排骨), boiled shrimp (沸腾虾) and fragrant/spicy shrimp (香辣虾) (or same style crayfish, when it's in season). And I'm on my way to Yumen Kezhan. ;-)
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
I appreciate your suggestions! The best kind of reader feedback I could ask for. I did indeed read about the shrimp and the potato dishes on Dianping, but I also saw recommendations for the things I ordered. And I saw some readers who had been loyal 131 diners comment that the food quality has declined in recent months. However, I will definitely give 131 another chance and try your recommendations.
Was this comment useful? Yes(1)
Other Posts by This Writer
2010: The Future of Shanghai Dining
By crystyl
As we look forward to the new year, the year of the tiger, Haibao and ...It’s official: Wujiang Lu’s street food vendors shut down
By crystyl
Local news reports say all vendors will be out by Chinese New Year>>To Your Door: Tasty Delivery Meals for Dinner on the Couch
By crystyl
It’s officially freezing outside, so if you’re anything like me, all you want is something ...By crystyl
It’s the season for oysters, fresh, fried or grilled Food mythology tells us that oysters ...Get in Line! These Fantastic Foods Are Worth Waiting For
By crystyl
Four Shanghai specialties people are queuing up to eat>>They’re Heeeere! Krispy Kreme Kraziness Can Now Officially Begin
By crystyl
Sooooo, KK lovers, KK fanatics, those willing to wait, slobbering, in long lines for a ...The Cuisine Festival in Shanghai
By crystyl
The best eating and drinking in Shanghai, all under one roof>>Feast on Shanghai's Freshest Seafood at the Massive Tongchuan Lu Fish Market
By crystyl
Tongchuan Lu Savvy In 2008, local media declared that the massive Tongchuan seafood market was ...Shanghai Carnivores: Your Time Has Come
By crystyl
Henrik Hubschmann is a man with a vision. A vision of lots and lots and ...The Quest for Good Muffins in Shanghai Complete
By crystyl
I go on food quests. Sometimes they last days, sometimes years. My years-long search for ...Café du Metro As Delicious As Ever, Now with Sunshine
By crystyl
This charming café’s second branch is a friendly oasis >>Tansy Leaf, Durian, Lychee: Unique Frozen Treats In Shanghai
By crystyl
Cold Comfort Shanghai makes room for novel frozen treats and new flavors Ice cream and ...Shanghai's Greatest Noodle Dives
By crystyl
Noodling Around Shanghai’s late night noodle shops are cheap and delicious On the city’s sidewalks, ...Where to Buy Camellia Oil in Shanghai
By crystyl
Many readers wrote me asking where they can buy this antioxidant-rich oil which I wrote ...
Mmm ... yummy. That looks like quite a large portion as well. Is it expensive?