West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy is a famous Hangzhou dish of which the history can be traced back to Song dynasty. West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy uses carp from West Lake. Before cooking, the carp won’t be fed for a day in the pond to ensure the contents of their stomach are eliminated. Flame control is important when cooking this dish and it only take 3 or 4 minutes to be cooked. When the fish is ready, pour hot sweet and sour sauce over it and stick up its pectoral fins, and then the characteristic dish is ready to be served. This dish is good for blood circulation, cancer prevention and appetite stimulation.

These days West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy can be found in a few famous restaurants in Hangzhou but it’s not common in local households. Additionally, some restaurants have replaced carp with bass for this dish.