Sweet and sour fish may not be a typical Chinese New Year dish but we cannot deny that this dish is a popular selection during Chinese New Year gatherings. During most Chinese New Year dinners, having a whole fish as one of the dishes is crucially important as it positively represents surplus. Besides, fish is known as 'yu' in the Chinese language which sounds very similar to 'surplus' in Chinese. Therefore, having a whole fish during the festive season symbolizes 'completeness' from the beginning to the end of the year.
The gravy has a great balance of sweet and sour factors with a tinge of spiciness to tantalize the taste buds. As the fish is fried, the crispiness of the skin coated with the saucy gravy makes every mouthful a delight. Of course, baking the fish would be a healthier option as it uses less oil. If you wish, you may even add fresh tomatoes to this dish.
To some cultures, using the whole fish might be a little too uncomfortable. Therefore, feel free to use some fish fillets instead. It will taste just as delicious. Enjoy it with steaming white rice.
