Steamed Wuchang fish is a classic Hubei dish featuring the famous Wuchang bream, a fish so prized it appears in a poem by Mao Zedong. The fish is steamed simply to highlight its fresh, delicate flavor.
Wuchang bream (Wuchang bream, Megalobrama amblycephala) is native to the Liangzi Lake area of Hubei and is one of China most famous freshwater fish. The fish is celebrated in the well-known poem by Mao Zedong: "Only in Wuchang do they have fish." The best preparation is the simplest — steaming — which allows the natural sweetness and delicate texture of the fish to shine. The dramatic finishing technique of pouring smoking-hot oil over ginger and scallions is classic Cantonese-influenced Hubei style. This dish is a point of pride for the entire province.