The Days When Sauerkraut Fish Was Everywhere

I consider myself quite loyal, still keeping in touch with old colleagues from twenty years ago, and occasionally meeting up for a meal. To accommodate everyone, we decided to dine at Hollywood Plaza in Diamond Hill this time. I haven't been to this mall for many years. It is said that this place is a food desert, so I didn't have high expectations. We randomly chose Yuanyuan Sauerkraut Fish, as there are now countless places serving sauerkraut fish. Our goal wasn't really the food, so we just ordered a set meal for two and a few other dishes to share among four people. The cold dish, Drunken Chicken, was not tough but lacked any wine aroma, a disappointment. Could the Ginger Pork Knuckles redeem the score? Relatively speaking, they were more fragrant and flavorful, but the pork skin was not thick enough, not satisfying enough. The Braised Pork Belly is probably one of their signature dishes, and it was decent. The fatty parts were appropriately fatty, and the lean parts were not too tough. The rich, red sauce was perfect with rice. As the restaurant is named Yuanyuan Sauerkraut Fish, the set meal naturally featured sauerkraut fish as the main dish. Like other specialty shops, it came in a large bowl with plenty of fish, a generous amount of Sichuan peppercorns, chili, cilantro, and chrysanthemum on top, making it visually appealing. The sour and spicy level was mild, the fish slices were tender, and I particularly liked the flavorful tofu puffs. Some people focused on the vermicelli and bean sprouts at the bottom. The Dry-Fried String Beans were quite fragrant and flavorful, with the beans remaining crisp, no major complaints. The set meal came with two bowls of white rice. I paired mine with the Braised Pork Belly and Sauerkraut Fish, while friends without a craving for rice opted for a plate of Stir-Fried Rice Cakes, which I understood. After not seeing each other for so long, there was always plenty to talk about, and it was common sense to chat until the restaurant closed! Restaurant Information: Yuanyuan Sauerkraut Fish Shop 173B-174, 1/F, Hollywood Plaza, 3 Lung Poon Street, Diamond Hill