Spicy Salt Prawns
I know many people in Zhoushan love this dish. The dish itself is fine, the problem lies in the oil used for frying the prawns. We know that after deep-frying, the oil color turns black immediately, and many substances from the ingredients fall off and form sediment. Research shows that a pot of oil can only be used for frying up to 3 times; any more will produce substances that can cause illness. However, it's impossible for restaurants to discard a pot of oil after only 3 uses. We have a dedicated bucket for this oil, and it can be used for up to 50 times if possible. By the end, the oil is as black as gutter water with a thick layer of sediment at the bottom. Moreover, this oil is used to fry almost everything; after frying prawns, it might be used for frogs, lobsters, fish, etc. You find it delicious because the dirtier the oil, the more fragrant it is! To tell the difference, prawn shells fried in good oil are relatively white, and the shrimp bellies are clean without dark impurities. If not, you've "hit the jackpot."
Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables
Stir-fried Mixed Vegetables is a famous dish that tastes savory. But do you know where that fragrance comes from? Besides a small amount of sesame oil, it's generally half black oil (the oil used for deep-frying). When cooking this dish, a whole scoop of black oil is usually added at the end. If the thickening is done well, the oil will be coated around the vegetables, and you won't be able to see it. If you don't believe me, look at the bottom of your bowl after eating to see if the residual oil is dirty and black. Of course, this trick is mostly used in small restaurants and fast-food joints. Large restaurants are slightly better.
Stir-fried River Snails
There's no need to say more; black oil is used. Eat too much and be careful of getting sick.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Whether fresh or dried, this dish is always fried in black oil.
Cold Jellyfish Salad
In many restaurants, cold dishes are mixed by hand, which is incredibly unhygienic.
Stir-fried Shrimp
For the shrimp paste, some people actually use stone powder.
Shredded Pork with Chili
Please order less Shredded Pork with Chili. Usually, the outer leaves of vegetables are removed and the inner ones are not washed.
Sautéed Beef with Green Peppers
There's a dish called "Sautéed Beef with Green Peppers." The beef in this dish needs to be marinated, and the marination requires a large amount of food coloring. This coloring is incredibly potent; a single drop can turn a whole bowl of water red. But the amount used for the beef is not just one drop—it's several spoonfuls, enough to turn a whole vat of water blood-red. The most terrifying thing I've seen is a chef from another region who made an excellent beef marinade, but she first soaked the beef in hydrogen peroxide! Terrifying, isn't it! I don't know if anyone in Zhoushan is doing this! Furthermore, the beef is always quickly stir-fried in black oil!