[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-detail":3},{"lang":4,"article":5,"alternate":21,"related":26,"latest":35},"en",{"id":6,"slug":7,"title":8,"content":9,"summary":10,"thumbnail":11,"metaDescription":12,"metaKeywords":13,"created":14,"modified":15,"author":16,"authorEn":17,"categoryId":18,"commentCount":19,"thumbnailToContent":20},12617,"west-lake-vinegar-fish-story-and-tradition2","Why Is West Lake Vinegar Fish Sweet and Sour? The Story Behind This Famous Hangzhou Dish","\u003Ch2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">\u003Cspan>Why Do So Many Visitors Try West Lake Vinegar Fish in Hangzhou?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>When visiting Hangzhou, West Lake is usually at the top of the sightseeing list, but local food is also an important part of the experience.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Among the city’s many traditional dishes, \u003Cstrong>West Lake Vinegar Fish\u003C\u002Fstrong> has long been one of the most recognizable.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The fish is served whole and coated with a glossy sweet-and-sour sauce that gives the dish its signature appearance.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>But many people tasting it for the first time immediately wonder:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>\u003Cstrong>Why is the vinegar flavor so noticeable?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>In the video, a personified West Lake Vinegar Fish becomes the main character and introduces the history and culinary features of the dish in a humorous way.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ciframe style=\"border-style:none;display:block;margin:0 auto;max-width:100%;\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002Fc_VHaso1PLU?rel=0&modestbranding=1\" title=\"西湖醋魚為什麼又酸又甜？這道杭州名菜背後竟藏著一段故事\" width=\"315\" height=\"560\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\">\u003C\u002Fiframe>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>Why Does West Lake Vinegar Fish Taste Sweet and Sour?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>One of the most distinctive characteristics of West Lake Vinegar Fish is its \u003Cstrong>sweet-and-sour flavor\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Traditional versions use ingredients such as vinegar and sugar to create a thickened sauce, which is then poured over the cooked fish.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The sugar brings sweetness, while the vinegar provides acidity and aroma. When balanced well, the two create the recognizable flavor that defines the dish.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>So although the taste may feel unusual to some first-time diners, the sweet-and-sour profile is an essential part of West Lake Vinegar Fish.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"image image_resized\" style=\"width:40.24%;display:table;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;clear:both\">\n \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fattachment\u002F20260929\u002F2ccad5fb81ef45898e906f109ee6e089.png\" alt=\"image.png\">\n\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>A Folk Story Lies Behind the Dish\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>One of the best-known stories about the origin of West Lake Vinegar Fish is connected to a woman commonly known as “Sister Song.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>According to a popular folk legend, during the Southern Song Dynasty, two brothers from the Song family made a living by fishing. After the elder brother was harmed by a local bully, his sister-in-law wanted to protect the younger brother and urged him to leave the area.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Before he left, she prepared a fish dish with a sweet-and-sour flavor as a farewell meal.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>In the story, the unusual combination of flavors also carries symbolic meaning, reminding him of the “sweetness and bitterness” of life and of what had happened to his brother.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Later, the younger brother returned and sought justice, and the fish dish gradually became part of local culinary folklore.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>It is important to note that this is a \u003Cstrong>widely circulated folk legend associated with West Lake Vinegar Fish\u003C\u002Fstrong>, rather than a fully documented historical account. Today, it is mainly told as part of Hangzhou’s local food culture.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"image image_resized\" style=\"width:41.01%;display:table;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;clear:both\">\n \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fattachment\u002F20260929\u002F57d3bfce94994b06bf8c68445fdcd7a3.png\" alt=\"image.png\">\n\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>Why Is Grass Carp Traditionally Used?\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Traditional West Lake Vinegar Fish is often made with \u003Cstrong>grass carp\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>However, freshwater fish can sometimes carry earthy or muddy flavors if not handled carefully, so traditional preparation pays close attention to the treatment of the fish before cooking.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The video also mentions that grass carp may traditionally be kept in clean water for a period before cooking.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>One purpose of this process is to help reduce unwanted flavors and improve the overall taste of the fish.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>So although the final dish may look simple, careful preparation actually begins long before the fish reaches the cooking pot.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"image image_resized\" style=\"width:40.42%;display:table;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;clear:both\">\n \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fattachment\u002F20260929\u002F80e5e4a5e2ba43e5a63a8e2451cc23a5.png\" alt=\"image.png\">\n\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>West Lake Vinegar Fish Is Not Traditionally Deep-Fried\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Many sweet-and-sour fish dishes are first deep-fried before being coated in sauce.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Traditional West Lake Vinegar Fish is different.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>One of its notable characteristics is that it is \u003Cstrong>not primarily prepared by heavy deep-frying\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The fish is generally cooked using methods such as poaching or simmering, and the sweet-and-sour sauce is added afterward.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>This helps preserve a softer and more tender texture while allowing the vinegar-based sauce to remain the main flavor focus.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Because of this cooking style, the freshness of the fish, heat control, and proper preparation become especially important.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cfigure class=\"image image_resized\" style=\"width:40.13%;display:table;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;clear:both\">\n \u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fattachment\u002F20260929\u002F784ea09f62c5415789fff2dcd4fbb03d.png\" alt=\"image.png\">\n\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>Tender Fish and Balanced Flavor Both Matter\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>A good West Lake Vinegar Fish is not just about having a thick sauce.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>The tenderness of the fish, the absence of unwanted muddy flavors, and the balance between sugar and vinegar all have a major impact on the final result.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>If the vinegar is too strong, the dish can become overwhelmingly sour. If too much sugar is used, it may taste overly sweet and heavy.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Ideally, the natural flavor of the fish and the sweet-and-sour sauce should complement each other rather than compete.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2>\u003Cspan>This Dish Is About More Than Flavor\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>West Lake Vinegar Fish has survived for generations not only because of its distinctive sweet-and-sour taste.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>From local legends and Hangzhou food culture to the preparation of grass carp and its unique cooking methods, the dish carries a strong sense of regional identity.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>So the next time you see West Lake Vinegar Fish, instead of asking only:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>\u003Cstrong>“Is it really that sour?”\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>You might also wonder why a local dish with such a long history continues to appear on restaurant tables and tourist food lists today.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>Sometimes, what we taste is not just a dish.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan>It is also part of a city’s history, culture, and memory.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Ca style=\"display:block;text-decoration:none;\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fyun-hub.chat\u002Flink\u002F?app=wwai&clickid=stellarx\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cimg class=\"image_resized\" style=\"display:block;height:auto;max-width:100%;width:100%;\" src=\"\u002Fattachment\u002F20260824\u002F5ba5dd3c38404fe785f43c44423830de.png\" alt=\"5ba5dd3c38404fe785f43c44423830de\">\n  \u003Cbutton style=\"align-items:center;background-color:#1f983e;border-radius:0 0 25px 25px;border-style:none;color:#ffffff;cursor:pointer;display:flex;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:19px;height:40px;justify-content:center;padding:0;width:100%;\">EXPLORE NOW\u003C\u002Fbutton>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","When people talk about Hangzhou cuisine, West Lake Vinegar Fish is one of the city’s most iconic traditional dishes. But for first-time diners, one question often comes up: why does it taste so distinctly sweet and sour? The answer lies not only in its vinegar-and-sugar sauce, but also in a well-known folk story associated with “Sister Song.” From the preparation of grass carp to the finishing sweet-and-sour glaze, this historic Hangzhou dish carries both culinary technique and local food culture.","\u002Fattachment\u002F20260929\u002Fb6c64012da114b2b8a860147e21d1120.png","Why is West Lake Vinegar Fish sweet and sour? Discover the folk story behind this famous Hangzhou dish, along with traditional grass carp preparation, non-deep-fried cooking methods, and the balance of tender fish with a vinegar-and-sugar sauce.","West Lake Vinegar Fish,Hangzhou food,Hangzhou cuisine,West Lake Vinegar Fish history,West Lake Vinegar Fish story,Sister Song legend,grass carp,sweet and sour fish,West Lake Vinegar Fish recipe,traditional Hangzhou food,Zhejiang cuisine,Chinese food culture,regional cuisine,Chinese traditional dishes,food history","2026-09-29 10:44:00","2026-09-29 11:12:16","爱看视频的小蜓","KL Short Drama Guide Ah Nuo",77,0,false,{"id":22,"slug":23,"title":24,"lang":25},12643,"traditional-vs-modern-mooncakes","五仁、蛋黃蓮蓉、冰皮誰才是月餅C位？原來月餅從來不只一種","zh",{"prev":27,"next":31},{"id":28,"slug":29,"title":30,"categoryId":18},12619,"rabies-vaccine-why-it-matters","He Skipped the Rabies Shot to Save Money — and Died",{"id":32,"slug":33,"title":34,"categoryId":18},12602,"gallstones-diet-bile-wcsb","Gallstones at 26: What Your Diet Does to Bile",[36,41,46,51],{"id":37,"slug":38,"title":39,"thumbnail":40,"categoryId":18},12685,"food-adulteration-history-bwxa","Ancient Food Was Never Pure: Urine, Lye, and Fake Fish","\u002Fattachment\u002F20261001\u002F03bbfa285e6545d6b3144a2fb3e790f9.webp",{"id":42,"slug":43,"title":44,"thumbnail":45,"categoryId":18},12684,"glowing-algae-story-zptc","When Lockdown Laziness Grew Glowing Algae","\u002Fattachment\u002F20261001\u002F2915a99ca6dd44bb99d4131bc2f639b5.webp",{"id":47,"slug":48,"title":49,"thumbnail":50,"categoryId":18},12683,"alpha-gal-syndrome-gmht","Why a Tick Bite Can Make You Allergic to Red Meat","\u002Fattachment\u002F20261001\u002Faa24a6f7e36b4b2fb5b8a0f6c3bfd1d8.webp",{"id":52,"slug":53,"title":54,"thumbnail":55,"categoryId":18},12682,"centipede-leg-count-comparison-lqzv","Who Has More Legs: House Centipede or Centipede?","\u002Fattachment\u002F20261001\u002Fb139d5c1b20648f39e4eca5fb29ac3f2.webp"]