Fish etc in China

[liuzhou]

These are Chub Mackerel (Scomber japonicus). In Chinese, they have many names, but the one preferred here is 花池鱼 (huā chí yú). Also, known in English as the Pacific mackerel, they are closely related to the Atlantic mackerel. Despite the japanicus in the scientific name, they are found (and farmed) worldwide and often turn up in canned fish products and cat food.

 

That said, they are high in nutritive value. Those in the image are about 8 to 10 inches in length.

 

[farcego]

On 4/12/2022 at 11:47 PM, liuzhou said:

These are Chub Mackerel (

). In Chinese, they have many names, but the one preferred here is 花池鱼 (huā chí yú). Also, known in English as the Pacific mackerel, they are closely related to the Atlantic mackerel. Despite the japanicus in the scientific name, they are found (and farmed) worldwide and often turn up in canned fish products and cat food.

 

That said, they are high in nutritive value. Those in the image are about 8 to 10 inches in length.

 

 

Never heard of farmed mackerel (and I spent too many years doing research in one of the finest Marine institutes of the world).

Back to the fish, I love mackerels on the oven. I have often found it as underappreciated because it use to be inexpensive in seafood markets where it appear (like southern Europe). Had to fish them by myself while in Australia

[liuzhou]

2 hours ago, farcego said:

Never heard of farmed mackerel (and I spent too many years doing research in one of the finest Marine institutes of the world).

 

Mackerel is most certainly farmed, although most is still wild caught. I have visited a mackerel farm in Japan and seen it for myself.

[farcego]

2 hours ago, liuzhou said:

 

Mackerel is most certainly farmed, although most is still wild caught. I have visited a mackerel farm in Japan and seen it for myself.

Out of curiosity, How are they typically coocked/eaten around China (well, around where you live, China is simply huge....)?

 

BTW I have always think that some of them (like mid sized Jack mackerels) should be terrific prepared as kippers are made in UK (no like the 'kippers' sold in tins and found elsewhere). Never had a chance to try (no equipment or skills to do so)

[liuzhou]

On 4/15/2022 at 6:58 AM, farcego said:

Out of curiosity, How are they typically coocked/eaten around China (well, around where you live, China is simply huge....)?

 

Mackerel is not a hugely popular fish here and the stores only occasionally have them fresh. Most are sold salted and dried or canned. Salted mackerel is particularly popular around Shaoxing and Hangzhou in Eastern China. It is very pungent and a bit of an  acquired taste.

 

Salted Dried Mackerel

 

Also, sometimes I see them as frozen steaks.

 

Frozen Mackerel Steak (defrosted)

 

I've never been served them by friends. Not do I recall seeing them on a restaurant menu. So, I don''t really know what people do with them. I cook them, but not in a Chinese way. I would guess they are gutted then fried whole (head on / bone in) or braised in a spicy sauce.

 

I'll try to find more information.

Edited April 16, 2022 by liuzhou (log)

[liuzhou]

I'm going to throw this into the mix, but I have no idea what they are. They were labelled as 根子鱼 (gēn zǐ yú) which means 'stickleback' or 'minnow', which these clearly aren't. They are about 8 inches / 20 cm long. Maybe mutant minnows!

 

 

Edited April 27, 2022 by liuzhou (log)

[catdaddy]

16 hours ago, liuzhou said:

I'm going to throw this into the mix, but I have no idea what they are. They were labelled as 根子鱼 (gēn zǐ yú) which means 'stickleback' or 'minnow', which these clearly aren't. They are about 8 inches / 20 cm long. Maybe mutant minnows!

 

 

Mackerel of some sort?

 

Edited April 28, 2022 by catdaddy
spelling (log)

[liuzhou]

13 minutes ago, catdaddy said:

Mackerel of some sort?

 

 

Probably related, yes, but with so many (>30) fish known as mackerel, which species remains a mystery.

[Martin Fisher]

17 hours ago, liuzhou said:

Maybe mutant minnows!

They may or may not be part of the minnow family, which is huge.

Carp are a member of the minnow family.

But yeah, they "look" like an oily saltwater fish.

[liuzhou]

12 minutes ago, Martin Fisher said:

They may or may not be part of the minnow family, which is huge.

Carp are a member of the minnow family.

But yeah, they "look" like an oily saltwater fish.

 

Yeah, definitely saltwater fish.