[Video provided to gowuxi.com]

The 2nd Wuxi Ganlu Black Carp Cultural Festival rocked E'hu town in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Jan 6.

Local fishermen began to haul in their first black carp catches of 2023. Black carp is popular in Wuxi people during the Spring Festival.

Fried black carp. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

While holding a freshly caught black carp, fisherman Pu Lingen said that this year is a bumper year as the 10-mu (0.67-hectare) pond is expected to produce 25,000 kilograms of black carp, up 40 percent year-on-year.

The authentic Ganlu black carp is bred in a traditional way that goes back more than 100 years. After several years of breeding, Ganlu black carp weigh more than six kg and feature solid and fine meat texture.

Braised black carp in brown sauce. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

For Wuxi natives, eating black carp dishes is a great way to celebrate the new year during the Spring Festival. Here are some popular black carp dishes in Wuxi.

Frying black carp is the best way to prepare the fish, as its texture is more solid than other fishes, making it easier to shape and chew after frying. The freshly-fried black carp is usually eaten with a secret sauce.

Black carp meat ball soup. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]

Black carp can also be braised in brown sauce or made into meat balls after being deboned. The boiled meat balls are usually for soup, while the fried meat balls are suitable for stir-frys.