Fish head with chopped chili

Get to know the dish

The Hunan provincial government lists steamed fish head with chopped chili among the dishes it says visitors to Hunan should eat, alongside stir-fried pork with chili peppers. Duo jiao means chopped chili: The Woks of Life explains that red chilies are chopped and pickled in brine, which makes them salty and tangy as well as hot. The World of Chinese says bighead carp is often used. It retells a legend in which a scholar avoiding the Yongzheng-era literary inquisition lived with a poor family in a Hunan village; the hostess made soup from the fish and steamed the fish heads with chopped red peppers. Hunan Daily’s Xin Hunan reports that the preparation technique was added to Hunan’s provincial intangible cultural heritage list in 2023.

What to look for

A pale split head almost hidden under bright red chopped chili, sitting in its own juices. The World of Chinese finishes the dish by pouring smoking-hot oil over the head, which gives the topping its sheen.

Every kitchen has its version

Fish, chili and extras vary. A Hunan government page on Chenzhou describes a bighead carp head topped with chopped pickled chili and a little fermented black bean, and The Woks of Life steams fish with duo jiao and tofu at home. Chopped chili heat depends on the batch, so ask how hot the kitchen’s is.

Regional versions

Chenzhou style. A Hunan government page on Chenzhou describes a carefully selected bighead carp head topped with chopped pickled chili and a bit of fermented black beans.
Head with part of the body. The Woks of Life says the dish traditionally uses the upper part of the fish including the head, or sometimes only the head.
Home version with tofu. The Woks of Life’s home recipe steams fish with duo jiao and tofu, then mixes noodles into the leftover sauce.

Questions people ask

Is it really just a fish head?

Mostly. The Woks of Life says the dish traditionally uses the upper part of the fish including the head, and sometimes only the head. Expect bones, and ask the kitchen what part of the fish it serves.

What fish is used?

The World of Chinese says bighead carp is often used, and a Hunan Daily report describes large reservoir-raised bighead carp. Restaurants outside China may use another fish, so ask which one and how large it is.

How spicy is fish head with chopped chili?

It depends on the chili. The Woks of Life calls duo jiao salty, tangy and relatively mild, though heat varies by brand, so one kitchen’s version can be much hotter than another’s. Ask before ordering.

What do you do with the leftover juices?

Mix in noodles. The Woks of Life cooks noodles al dente, keeps them loose with a little oil and tosses them in the chili sauce once some of the fish has been eaten.

Last reviewed 2026-10-06

Where to eat fish head with chopped chili

From each restaurant’s checked menu; call ahead — menus change.