Yin yang fish (Chinese: 陰陽魚, 糖醋活魚, 呼叫魚; also called dead-and-alive fish) is a Chinese dish where a live fish is fried whole. The dish originates from Sichuan, China.[1][2]
Preparation
Yin yang fish is prepared by wrapping the head of a scaled fish (usually carp) in ice cubes and then oil-frying it whole. The fish is then covered in sauce and served on a plate where its head continues to twitch even after its body has been cooked (likely due to remnant electrical impulses after death).[3][4][5][6]
Controversy
In 2007, a Taiwanese restaurant owner sparked outrage when he began serving the dish in his restaurant in Chiayi, Taiwan, with a city official and members of the public criticizing the cruelty of the dish.[7] Following public outcry, the dish was subsequently removed from the menu and banned in Taiwan.[8][3]
A video of a dish in 2009 was condemned by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals calling a video showcasing it as "disgusting".[9]
See also
- Cruelty to animals
- Ikizukuri, live fish served as sashimi in Japanese cuisine
- Drunken shrimp, shrimp sometimes eaten alive in Chinese cuisine
- Eating live seafood