Feng wěi xiā

A specialty of Anhui cuisine, phoenix tail shrimp consists of crispy-fried, battered shrimps. It is typically prepared with large freshwater shrimps that have been shelled and deveined but with their tails left intact. Once cleaned, the shrimps are coated with a batter of flour, water, and seasonings, leaving the tails exposed before they’re fried to crispy perfection. The frying process makes the shrimps' tails bright red, crispy, and tilted upward, giving them a close resemblance to a phoenix's tail, hence the name phoenix tail shrimp. In China, these deep-fried crustaceans are typically enjoyed hot, accompanied by lemon wedges and a variety of dipping sauces on the side. Phoenix tail shrimps are usually eaten as snacks or appetizers.