13. Silverfish

The scientific name of the Dandong (Yalu River) silverfish is Salanx acuticeps. It is long and thin and the entire body is silver white. It is nicknamed the noodle fish because it has neither bones nor skin and looks like a noodle after being cooked.

Each Spring Equinox, shoals of silverfish come to the Yalu River with the tidal current to mate and lay their eggs. The Qingming Festival, which falls on April 5, is the best fishing period. The fishing season lasts until the Summer Solstice.

The silverfish is delicious and highly nutritive and can be deep-fried, stir-fried, made into fish balls, or used for stuffing in dumplings. They can also be dried or canned.