Harvest Season! On the Evening of October 20, CCTV Takes You on a Seafood Hunt in the East China Sea

Tender and Flavorful

Large Yellow Croaker Welcomes Harvest Season

October 20, 19:30

CCTV2 "Consumer Perspective"

Takes You on a Seafood Hunt in the East China Sea

"A feast is incomplete without yellow croaker." The large yellow croaker is a beloved seafood along the coast of Zhejiang. Taizhou is abundant in yellow croaker, especially the Dachen Yellow Croaker from Jiaojiang and the Zhonglu Island Yellow Croaker from Yuhuan.

The Dachen Sea area in Taizhou is the largest large yellow croaker farming base in Zhejiang Province. With excellent water quality, high salinity, strong currents, and abundant live bait, the farming environment meets the natural ecological conditions for the growth of large yellow croaker. Coupled with the introduction of high-tech farming techniques and the use of deep-water net cages, the yellow croaker produced here boasts excellent qualities such as firm, elastic, and delicious meat, retaining the characteristics of wild yellow croaker and becoming a truly authentic local aquatic product. In 2024, the annual output of Dachen Yellow Croaker exceeded 10,000 tons for the first time, with a value exceeding 1.1 billion yuan, and its brand value increased to 715 million yuan.

Yuhuan is located along the vast coast of the East China Sea. The Zhonglu Island sea area, a magical bay surrounded by archipelagos, is a top-tier and scarce natural fishing ground in China. It uniquely possesses three natural elements: natural bait, suitable temperatures, and perfect salinity, forming an irreplicable and exclusive environment. The pioneering pure wild-release farming model on Zhonglu Island results in large yellow croaker with small bellies, long tails, a natural golden-yellow hue, and tender, smooth, delicate, and plump meat.

In Taizhou

Yellow croaker is both a delicacy and a cultural symbol.

Whether for festive banquets or home-cooked meals，

yellow croaker is the "ambassador" of this coastal city.

Home-Style Braised Yellow Croaker

The most common and widely accepted method is home-style braising. Fresh yellow croaker is lightly pan-fried until both sides turn golden, then ingredients are stir-fried to release their aromas. Yellow wine and boiling water are added, and the dish is cooked over high heat for five to six minutes. The rich sauce envelops the fish, infusing every bite with flavor, creating a simple yet heartwarming home-cooked dish.

Steamed Yellow Croaker

Fresh, live yellow croaker is selected, cleaned to remove any fishy taste, and lightly steamed to preserve the fish’s most original flavor. The fish flesh is translucent, firm yet tender, melting in the mouth with a refreshing aroma. The steam carries the fragrance of ginger and scallions, and the fish subtly absorbs the essence of the sea in the warm vapor. The clear, savory broth, carrying the scent of the ocean and the sweetness of the fish, leaves an endless aftertaste.

Yellow Croaker in Huangjiu(Chinese rice wine)

In the golden-yellow broth lies a bright-colored yellow croaker. Gently prodding with chopsticks reveals tender, garlic-clove-like white flesh. Dipping a piece into the sauce offers a tender, smooth, and incredibly delicious taste. This cooking method preserves the fish’s freshness and delicate texture, highlighting its unique flavor. Taizhou fishermen also enjoy steaming yellow croaker with slices of ham and ginger, using aged Huadiao wine, resulting in a memorable dish with savory meat and an intoxicating wine aroma.

Yellow Croaker Rice

In the past, Taizhou fishermen faced limitations in ingredients and cooking methods on their boats. Coupled with the high yield of yellow croaker, they gradually developed a method of stewing freshly caught yellow croaker and rice together in a clay pot, creating "Yellow Croaker Rice." Using pine wood as fuel added a unique smoky aroma to the dish.

Yellow Croaker with Rice Cakes

The freshness of yellow croaker perfectly blends with the soft, chewy texture of rice cakes. Taizhou’s single-side frying method gives the fish a crispy, fragrant skin while keeping the flesh tender and juicy. This unique texture, crispy on one side and smooth on the other, paired with soft rice cakes, creates a sensation like the collision of sea breeze and tide on the palate. A gentle chew releases the softness of the rice cakes and the delicacy of the fish, offering a rich, savory flavor reminiscent of a morning on the beach, with the sea breeze brushing the face, nourishing both the soul and taste buds.

Dried Salted Yellow Croaker

Dried salted yellow croaker is a distinctive fisherman’s delicacy. Plump yellow croaker is selected and naturally air-dried by the sea breeze. Under the sun and wind, the fish gradually turns golden, emitting a unique savory aroma. After frying or steaming, the dried salted yellow croaker offers distinct layers of flavor, with firm, chewy meat and a rich, savory taste that lingers. In Taizhou, the dried salted yellow croaker from Songmen is the most famous. Dishes like Yellow Croaker Xian with Winter Melon, Pickled Vegetables with Yellow Croaker Xian, Yellow Croaker Xian with Tofu, and Green Vegetables with Tofu and Yellow Croaker Xian are savory, aromatic, and melt-in-the-mouth tender.

Translator：Jiayang Lin