Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments

This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors as the tender eel segments cook quickly in a savory broth with aromatic herbs and chilies. The result is a flavorful yet mild preparation that highlights the delicate texture of the fish while adding a gentle heat from the pickled and bird’s eye chilies. […]

Jump to Recipe
Prep
6m
Cook
10m
Total
16m
Servings
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
1/5
Cuisine
Chinese

IngredientsWhat you'll need for Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments

Ingredient Amount
wild yellow eel 500g (3 pieces)
garlic chive stems 6 stalks
pickled chili (spicy) to taste
bird's eye chili (spicy) to taste
bell pepper (mild) 1 as needed
Erjingtian chili (mild) 2 as needed
scallion, ginger, garlic appropriate amount
Hua Diao cooking wine 2 ladle scoops (for marinating + stir-frying)
oyster sauce 1 tsp
soy sauce 2 tsp
salt to taste
MSG a pinch
cooking oil 1 ladle scoop
  • wild yellow eel500g (3 pieces)
  • garlic chive stems6 stalks
  • pickled chili (spicy)to taste
  • bird's eye chili (spicy)to taste
  • bell pepper (mild)1 as needed
  • Erjingtian chili (mild)2 as needed
  • scallion, ginger, garlicappropriate amount
  • Hua Diao cooking wine2 ladle scoops (for marinating + stir-frying)
  • oyster sauce1 tsp
  • soy sauce2 tsp
  • saltto taste
  • MSGa pinch
  • cooking oil1 ladle scoop

Cooking StepsHow to cook Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments step by step

  1. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 1

    Remove the cartilage and head from the eel, rinse clean, and drain well.

  2. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 2

    Cut into small segments. Add scallion, ginger, and Hua Diao wine; toss and marinate for 10 minutes.

  3. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 3

    Cut garlic chive stems into small segments.

  4. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 4

    Prep the bird’s eye chili, Erjingtian chili, bell pepper, pickled chili, scallion, ginger, and garlic.

  5. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 5

    Heat generous oil in a wok until 80–90% hot — small bubbles should rise from the surface.

  6. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 6

    Add eel segments to the wok, quickly separate and push apart with a ladle. Flash-fry over high heat for 2 minutes to remove excess moisture and firm up the flesh. This also removes the muddy flavor. Do not over-fry, or the eel will become deep-fried.

  7. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 7

    After flash-frying, drain the oil and set the eel aside.

  8. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 8

    In the remaining oil, sauté the scallion, ginger, and garlic until fragrant.

  9. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 9

    Return the eel segments to the wok and flash-fry quickly over high heat.

  10. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 10

    Add the garlic chive stems.

  11. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 11

    Add Hua Diao wine, oyster sauce, and soy sauce; flash-fry quickly to coat evenly.

  12. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 12

    Just before finishing, add the bell pepper, Erjingtian chili, pickled chili, and bird’s eye chili. Toss evenly, adjust salt and MSG to taste.

  13. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 13

    Plate and serve.

  14. Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments
    Step 14

    A perfect pairing with drinks or rice — enjoy this river-fresh delicacy.

Dry Pot Flash-Fried Eel Segments

This dish offers a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors as the tender eel segments cook quickly in a savory broth with aromatic herbs and chilies. The result is a flavorful yet mild preparation that highlights the delicate texture of the fish while adding a gentle heat from the pickled and bird’s eye chilies. […]

Ingredients

  • 500g (3 pieces) wild yellow eel
  • 6 stalks garlic chive stems
  • to taste pickled chili (spicy)
  • to taste bird's eye chili (spicy)
  • 1 as needed bell pepper (mild)
  • 2 as needed Erjingtian chili (mild)
  • appropriate amount scallion, ginger, garlic
  • 2 ladle scoops (for marinating + stir-frying) Hua Diao cooking wine
  • 1 tsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • to taste salt
  • a pinch MSG
  • 1 ladle scoop cooking oil

Instructions

  1. Remove the cartilage and head from the eel, rinse clean, and drain well.

  2. Cut into small segments. Add scallion, ginger, and Hua Diao wine; toss and marinate for 10 minutes.

  3. Cut garlic chive stems into small segments.

  4. Prep the bird’s eye chili, Erjingtian chili, bell pepper, pickled chili, scallion, ginger, and garlic.

  5. Heat generous oil in a wok until 80–90% hot — small bubbles should rise from the surface.

  6. Add eel segments to the wok, quickly separate and push apart with a ladle. Flash-fry over high heat for 2 minutes to remove excess moisture and firm up the flesh. This also removes the muddy flavor. Do not over-fry, or the eel will become deep-fried.

  7. After flash-frying, drain the oil and set the eel aside.

  8. In the remaining oil, sauté the scallion, ginger, and garlic until fragrant.

  9. Return the eel segments to the wok and flash-fry quickly over high heat.

  10. Add the garlic chive stems.

  11. Add Hua Diao wine, oyster sauce, and soy sauce; flash-fry quickly to coat evenly.

  12. Just before finishing, add the bell pepper, Erjingtian chili, pickled chili, and bird’s eye chili. Toss evenly, adjust salt and MSG to taste.

  13. Plate and serve.

  14. A perfect pairing with drinks or rice — enjoy this river-fresh delicacy.

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