{"id":"recipe_dba916764e","slug":"sichuan-pickled-fish-suancai-yu","title":"Sichuan Pickled Fish (Suancai Yu)","description":"A classic Sichuan specialty featuring tender, velveted fish fillets poached in a savory, sour, and mildly spicy broth made with fermented pickled mustard greens.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":25,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"600g fish fillets (Tilapia, Cod, or Bass), thinly sliced","name":"Fish","quantity":600,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.3,"usUnit":"lb","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"Tilapia, Cod, or Bass","group":"Fish & Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 egg white","name":"Egg White","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"","notes":"","group":"Fish & Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"1 tbsp cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":8,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Fish & Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 tbsp Shaoxing wine","name":"Shaoxing Wine","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"or dry sherry","group":"Fish & Marinade","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"250g pickled mustard greens (Suancai), chopped","name":"Pickled Mustard Greens","quantity":250,"unit":"g","usQuantity":8.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"chopped","notes":"rinsed well","group":"Broth Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"4 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Broth Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"20g ginger, sliced","name":"Ginger","quantity":20,"unit":"g","usQuantity":0.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced","notes":"","group":"Broth Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 liter chicken broth or water","name":"Chicken Broth","quantity":1,"unit":"l","usQuantity":"4 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"","notes":"","group":"Broth Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns","name":"Sichuan Peppercorns","quantity":2,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"6-8 dried red chilies, cut","name":"Red Chili","quantity":8,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"piece","form":"cut","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"2 green onions, chopped","name":"Green onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"3 tbsp vegetable oil","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"","notes":"","group":"Broth Base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a bowl, combine the thinly sliced fish fillets with egg white, cornstarch, Shaoxing wine, and a pinch of salt. Mix well by hand until the fish is evenly coated and the liquid is absorbed. Let it marinate for 15 minutes.","group":"Preparation","title":"Combine the thinly sliced fish fillets","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large pot over medium heat. Add the ginger, half of the minced garlic, and the chopped pickled mustard greens. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until very fragrant.","group":"Cooking the Broth","title":"Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Broth"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Pour in the chicken broth (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to extract the sour flavor from the greens.","group":"Cooking the Broth","title":"Pour in the chicken broth","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Broth"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Turn the heat to low so the broth is barely simmering. Gently slide the fish slices into the pot one by one. Do not stir immediately to avoid breaking the coating. Once all fish is in, gently push them down. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the fish turns opaque and white.","group":"Poaching","title":"Turn the heat to low so the broth is barely simmering","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Poaching"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Transfer the fish and broth into a large serving bowl. Top with the remaining garlic and chopped green onions.","group":"Finishing","title":"Transfer the fish and broth","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"In a small saucepan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil until smoking hot. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and dried red chilies. Once they sizzle and become aromatic (about 10 seconds), immediately pour the hot oil and spices over the garlic and green onions in the serving bowl.","group":"The Final Sizzle","title":"Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"The Final Sizzle"}],"notes":"Using fresh grass carp or snakehead is traditional, but tilapia or cod fillets work well as easier substitutes. The key to the dish is the high-quality pickled mustard greens (Suancai).","cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Sichuan"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["boil","saute","poach"],"equipment":["wok","small saucepan","large serving bowl"],"diet":["high_protein","low_carb","dairy_free"],"allergens":["fish","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":4,"unit":"servings","note":""},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The fish is best served immediately for texture, but the broth base with greens can be made 1 day in advance."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container. The fish will become firmer when reheated.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat gently on the stovetop to avoid overcooking the fish."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_dba916764e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=c53d11ed-c662-4e81-a176-3992b1663d76","imageAlt":"Sichuan Pickled Fish (Suancai Yu) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["spicy","sour","fish","sichuan","authentic","healthy"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Sichuan Pickled Fish (Suancai Yu)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T19:19:45.705Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T19:19:45.705Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_5bd7d18ba8","slug":"cantonese-steamed-rice-noodle-rolls-cheung-fun","title":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun)","description":"A silky, smooth, and translucent Cantonese dim sum classic. These rice noodle rolls are steamed to perfection and typically filled with succulent shrimp or savory pork, then finished with a sweetened soy sauce.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":25},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Cantonese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["dairy_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_5bd7d18ba8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=95ae143d-b901-4366-9657-7aa0c5bdad41","imageAlt":"Cantonese Steamed Rice Noodle Rolls (Cheung Fun) — recipe cover","tags":["dim sum","cantonese","rice noodles","steamed","shrimp","chinese breakfast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_8c98f14ca2","slug":"classic-fried-rice-chaofan","title":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn)","description":"A quick, savory, and satisfying East Asian staple featuring fluffy rice stir-fried with eggs, crisp vegetables, and a touch of soy sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Chinese"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","nut_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_8c98f14ca2%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=a9bd1aca-9eb5-41e5-8730-eac0148bdba5","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Rice (Chǎofàn) — recipe cover","tags":["fried-rice","quick","easy","leftover-rice","chinese-cuisine"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":9,"stepCount":6},{"id":"recipe_7d0223495d","slug":"classic-japanese-udon-soup","title":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup","description":"A comforting, traditional East Asian noodle soup featuring thick, chewy udon noodles in a delicate, savory dashi broth.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"East Asian","specific":["Japanese"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_7d0223495d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=b95b3407-aaaf-4a90-8153-c9dccf8a4049","imageAlt":"Classic Japanese Udon Soup — recipe cover","tags":["udon","noodles","soup","quick","comfort food","japanese"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":5}]}