Shui Zhu Yu - Chinese Recipe

Shui Zhu Yu

Classic Sichuan dish with tender fish fillets poached in fiery chili oil, numbing and spicy

Prep Time15m
Cook Time30m
Yield4 servings
Cuisine
Spicy:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Ingredients

  • Fish fillets 500g (grass carp or tilapia)
  • Bean sprouts 200g
  • Lettuce 100g
  • Dried chilies 30g
  • Sichuan peppercorn 2 tbsp
  • Doubanjiang (chili bean paste) 3 tbsp
  • Ginger 30g
  • Garlic 30g
  • Scallions 50g
  • Cooking wine 2 tbsp
  • Light soy sauce 1 tbsp
  • Sugar 1 tbsp
  • Chicken stock 1000ml
  • Cornstarch 2 tbsp
  • Egg white 1
  • Sesame oil 1 tbsp
  • Hot chili oil as needed

Steps

  1. Prepare fish: Cut fish fillets into thin slices (about 3mm thick). Mix with 1 tbsp cooking wine, 1 tbsp cornstarch, egg white, and a little salt. Marinate for 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare vegetables: Rinse bean sprouts and lettuce, blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain and place in serving bowl.
  3. Make base: Heat oil in wok, add doubanjiang, stir-fry until red oil appears. Add ginger, garlic, and scallions, stir until fragrant.
  4. Add stock: Pour in chicken stock, add 1 tbsp cooking wine, soy sauce, and sugar. Bring to boil.
  5. Poach fish: Reduce to medium heat, gently add fish slices one by one. Cook for 2 minutes until fish turns white and is just cooked through. Avoid stirring to keep slices intact.
  6. Transfer: Carefully remove fish slices and place over vegetables in bowl. Pour some broth over.
  7. Make topping: In separate bowl, add dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and minced garlic.
  8. Bloom spices: Heat hot chili oil until smoking, pour over spices to release aroma (you should hear sizzling).
  9. Finish: Drizzle sesame oil over top, pour all oil and spices over fish.
  10. Serve: Serve immediately while bubbling hot.

Tips

Tips: 1) Slice fish thin and evenly; 2) Do not overcook fish; 3) Bloom spices with hot oil for maximum flavor; 4) Serve immediately while hot.