Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish | A single fish, savoring the exquisite freshness of Jiangnan.
Author: Travel China·Published: 2026-08-20 10:45:37

When you come to Suzhou, Jiangsu, in addition to strolling through classical gardens and taking a boat ride on the waterways of Jiangnan, you can also taste a traditional dish with distinctive Jiangnan characteristics - Squirrel Mandarin Fish .

The golden and crispy fish is cut into beautiful flower shapes, fried until it sticks up high, drizzled with a bright sweet and sour sauce, and served with pine nuts, green peas and other ingredients.

From a distance, the shape of the fish resembles a lively little squirrel.

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour flavor, this is a traditional Chinese dish that is both delicious and perfect for taking photos.

🐟 A fish, transformed into a "work of art".

What's most amazing about the squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is its unique shape.

The chef will make fine, even cuts on the fish meat, but will not cut through the skin.

After being coated in flour and deep-fried, the fish will curl outwards, forming a fluffy, three-dimensional shape.

Then drizzle with hot, sweet and sour sauce, and a beautiful squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is ready.

From an ordinary fish to an exquisite dish on the table, it reflects the Chinese chef's pursuit of knife skills and culinary techniques.

🍅 Sweet and sour sauce, awakens your taste buds

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is usually served with a sweet and sour sauce.

The crispy fried fish combined with the sweet and sour sauce creates a richer flavor.

With each bite, you first experience the crispy outer layer, followed by the tender and delicate fish meat, and finally the sweet and sour sauce that whets your appetite.

Crispy, tender, sour, sweet, and fresh, creating a very rich flavor profile.

For foreign tourists who are not used to spicy food, Squirrel Fish is also a Chinese dish that is well worth trying.

🏯 Come to Suzhou and savor the authentic flavors of Jiangnan.

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish has a close connection with Suzhou cuisine .

Suzhou is a typical city in the Jiangnan region, boasting exquisite gardens, ancient streets and alleys, and gentle water town scenery.

During the day, you can visit the Humble Administrator's Garden and Lion Grove Garden, and stroll along Pingjiang Road; in the evening, take a small boat to travel through the ancient town's waterways.

During my trip, I walked into a traditional Suzhou restaurant and ordered a squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.

When the exquisite fish dishes are served, a sweet and sour aroma wafts out.

The exquisite beauty of Jiangnan gardens and the delicate flavor of Suzhou cuisine complement each other perfectly in this dish.

🥢 Why is it worth trying for foreign tourists?

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is not only a dish, but also a visual and gustatory experience.

Foreign tourists are often attracted by its unique shape when they see it for the first time.

The fish fillets are cut into beautiful patterns, and the golden-yellow skin paired with the bright sauce makes it look like a work of art.

But after actually tasting it, you'll find that it's not just "good-looking but not tasty".

The crispy fish, tender texture, and sweet and sour sauce satisfy both the eyes and the taste buds.

✨ Why is it worthwhile for foreign tourists to try Squirrel Mandarin Fish?

  • 🐟 Experience classic traditional Jiangnan cuisine
  • 🔪 Appreciate the exquisite knife skills of Chinese chefs
  • 🍅 Savor the unique flavor of sweet, sour, and savory.
  • 🥢 Experience the exquisite and delicate characteristics of Suzhou cuisine
  • 🏯 Combining gourmet food with Suzhou gardens and water town travel
  • 📸 With its unique design, it's perfect for taking photos and sharing.

❤️ A dish that lets you experience the refinement of Jiangnan

Traditional Chinese cuisine not only pursues flavor, but also attaches great importance to color, aroma, taste, and shape .

Squirrel-shaped mandarin fish is a good example of this.

A fish, after being meticulously knifed, coated in flour, deep-fried, and seasoned, eventually becomes a refined traditional dish on the dining table.

When you come to Suzhou, you can see the gardens, visit the water towns, and stroll through the ancient streets.

Then sit down and enjoy a squirrel-shaped mandarin fish.

Let the sweet, sour, and savory flavors add an unforgettable culinary memory to your trip to Jiangnan.

Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish – crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a sweet and sour flavor, this fish will take you on a journey to savor the exquisite elegance of Suzhou and Jiangnan.