1STEP 1 | Roughly chop the fermented black beans so they release full flavor during cooking.
Crucian Carp with Fermented Black Beans
Classic traditional cold seafood dish, crispy fried carp soaked in savory fermented black bean sauce!
Crucian Carp with Fermented Black Beans is a traditional recipe showcasing deep culinary heritage. Master Ding prepares a rich black bean sauce by stir-frying chopped fermented black beans, garlic, and shallots, then simmering with soy sauces and water. Fresh crucian carp is scored and deep-fried for 8-10 minutes until golden and bones are crisp. Pouring hot black bean sauce over the hot fish and letting it soak for 5-6 hours ensures every bite is infused with intense savoury goodness.
Time40min
SuitableHome-cooking fans
MethodBraise
OccasionHome dinner
SeasonAll seasons
The Ahistoric Grandpa Cooking Show (Sr.3)
Full Episode Video
Ingredients（Serves 2-3）
Quick Method
2STEP 2 | Heat oil in a wok, stir-fry minced garlic and shallots until fragrant, then add ginger slices.
3STEP 3 | Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, chopped black beans, and water; bring to a boil and season with sugar and a pinch of salt.
4STEP 4 | Add whole scallion stalks and simmer until softened; turn off heat and set the black bean sauce aside.
5STEP 5 | Clean and dry crucian carp, make diagonal slits on thick parts of both sides for even frying and sauce absorption.
6STEP 6 | Deep-fry the fish in hot oil over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until cooked through and bones become crispy.
7STEP 7 | Remove fried fish from wok and place it in a deep container/tray.
8STEP 8 | While the fish is piping hot, pour the hot black bean sauce over it, soak for 5-6 hours to absorb flavors before serving.
Tips and Pitfalls
Roughly Chop Black Beans
Coarsely chop black beans; chopping too finely causes bitterness while leaving them whole reduces flavor release.
Slit Fish for Deep Frying
Crucian carp has fine bones; slitting the flesh and deep-frying for 8-10 minutes crisping small bones safely.
Pour Sauce While Piping Hot
Pour the sauce immediately when the fish comes out of hot oil so heat contraction rapidly draws sauce in.
Soak 5-6 Hours
Allowing the fish to marinate in sauce for 5-6 hours enables full flavor penetration into meat and bones.
Overview
Crucian Carp with Fermented Black Beans is a traditional recipe showcasing deep culinary heritage. Master Ding prepares a rich black bean sauce by stir-frying chopped fermented black beans, garlic, and shallots, then simmering with soy sauces and water. Fresh crucian carp is scored and deep-fried for 8-10 minutes until golden and bones are crisp. Pouring hot black bean sauce over the hot fish and letting it soak for 5-6 hours ensures every bite is infused with intense savoury goodness.
