Seafood & Signature Dishes at Tianmu Lake – A Gourmet Guide

Tianmu Lake abounds in natural forage, yielding abundant freshwater fish including bighead carp (locally known as fathead carp).

The world-famous national Chinese classic dish, Tianmu Lake Casserole Bighead Carp Head, enjoys a stellar reputation. Simmered slowly with water drawn straight from Tianmu Lake and giant bighead carp, the soup turns milky white. The fish flesh carries a pinkish hue beneath its pale white surface, tender and silky as bean curd, entirely free of earthy fishy odors. Rich yet light, its flavor is incomparable. This iconic soup has won praise from numerous state leaders and foreign diplomats. To capture locals’ deep fondness for the dish, a popular folk jingle goes: Boys who sip the fish head soup grow sharp and bright-witted;

Ladies who sip it gain fair, glowing complexions;

Gentlemen who sip it broaden their minds and vision.

This delicacy boasts exquisite taste and high nutritional value. In traditional Chinese medicine, it offers a wide range of nourishing therapeutic effects: clearing heat and nourishing yin, calming the liver to extinguish internal wind, softening hard masses and dissipating stagnation. It aids relief for liver cirrhosis, hepatosplenomegaly and infantile convulsions. Additionally, it strengthens bones and tendons, tonifies the middle energizer and boosts qi, relieves fatigue, invigorates yang and refreshes the spirit.

Snow frog oviduct fat is a precious time-honored tonic renowned at home and abroad. Silky and smooth, it floats in clear, fresh broth, paired with soft white egg white custard rich in nutrients. It strengthens physical vitality, preserves youthful beauty, improves memory, calms the heart and soothes nerves, clears internal heat and detoxifies the body, making it an ideal nourishing treat for women.

Boat-fruited sterculia tastes sweet and is cold in medicinal nature. Light and dispersing, it enters the lung meridian to clear lung heat and unblock the voice, serving as a premier medicinal herb for throat ailments. It also acts on the large intestine meridian to clear heat and ease bowel movements. Combined with Xinjiang snow pears, it soothes the throat, moisturizes the lungs, relieves coughs, promotes fluid production, nourishes yin and alleviates dryness, nourishes skin and improves complexion. Paired with hot spring bathing, it delivers dual benefits for wellness and beauty.