shredded eel with fragrant oil

How to Make Crispy Eel Shreds (Xiang You Shan Si)

Crispy eel shreds, or "Xiang You Shan Si," is a classic Chinese dish known for its tender meat, aromatic sauce, and sizzling finale. Here’s a step-by-step guide to recreate this restaurant favorite at home.

Ingredients:

500g fresh eel, cleaned and sliced into thin shreds; 3 tbsp cooking oil; 1 ginger slice; 2 garlic cloves; 1 green onion (sliced); 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine; 2 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp dark soy sauce; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp white pepper; 1 tbsp starch; 1 red chili (sliced, optional).

Steps:

1. Prepare the eel: Marinate eel shreds with 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tsp white pepper, and starch for 15 minutes. Blanch in boiling water for 10 seconds, then drain.

2. Make the sauce: Mix light/dark soy sauce, sugar, and 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine in a bowl.

3. Cook: Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Stir-fry ginger, garlic, and green onion until fragrant. Add eel shreds and stir-fry for 1 minute. Pour in the sauce, toss quickly, and cook until the sauce thickens.

4. Sizzle: Transfer to a preheated clay pot. Heat 2 tbsp oil until smoking, pour over the eel, and serve immediately with a sizzle.

Tips: For extra crispness, double-fry the eel briefly. Garnish with sesame seeds for added texture. Enjoy this umami-rich dish with steamed rice!