Yin yang fish (Chinese: 陰陽魚, 糖醋活魚, 呼叫魚; also called dead-and-alive fish) is a Taiwanese dish where a live fish is fried whole. The dish originates from Chiayi, Taiwan.[1][2]
Preparation
editYin 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).[2][3][4][5]
Controversy
editIn 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.[6] Following public outcry, the dish was subsequently removed from the menu and banned in Taiwan.[7][2]
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".[8] A video posted on TikTok in March 2020 had been viewed three million times as of May 2021.[9]
See also
edit- Cruelty to animals
- Odorigui, Japanese cuisine where the consumption of live seafood while it is still moving
- Ikizukuri, live fish served as sashimi in Japanese cuisine
- Drunken shrimp, shrimp sometimes eaten alive in Chinese cuisine
- Eating live seafood
References
edit- ^ "Eat or Run? Would You Eat This Controversial Dish That is Both Dead and Alive?". look up tv. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ a b c "Yin and Yang Fish – A Controversial Dish That's Both Dead and Alive". www.odditycentral.com. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
- ^ "Why Do Fish Still Move After Being Gutted". 2023-02-18.
- ^ (Traditional Chinese) "陰陽魚活炸上菜 「殘忍」". Apple Daily (Taiwan). July 9, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- ^ "Chefs refuse to serve 'dead-and-alive fish' - the China Post". Archived from the original on 2014-06-06. Retrieved 2009-11-27.
- ^ Deutsche Presse-Agentur (2007-07-08). "Taiwan restaurant blasted for serving "dead-and-alive fish"". Monsters and Critics. Archived from the original on 2010-07-27.
- ^ Lok-sin, Loa (9 July 2007). "Restaurant owner heavily criticized for serving live fish". Taipei Times.
- ^ "Video: Fried fish that still breathes -- a delicacy or downright distasteful?". latimesblogs.latimes.com. 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-11-26.
- ^ "Video: Yin and Yang Fish - A Controversial Dish That's Both Dead and Alive?". odditycentral.com. 4 May 2021.
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