Squirrel guppy, also known as "Squirrel Mandarin Fish", is a traditional dish of the Suzhou region, which is classified as a top quality dish at banquets in the southern part of the Yangtze River. In other regions, the dishes made with guppy are usually steamed, but the squirrel-shaped dish is the first of its kind in Suzhou.

The squirrel-shaped fish has color and aroma, flavor and shape, and more interestingly, sound. When the deep-fried squirrel-like guppy is served with a steaming hot marinade, the squirrel squeaks and screams.

Speaking of the origin of the squirrel gui fish, but also with Qianlong. Once, Emperor Qianlong down Yangzhou, traveled extensively in Yangzhou's scenic beauty, the mood is very happy. He went into the SongHeLou, see the god on the platform put live Yuanbao fish (carp), he insisted on letting the accompanying take good for him to eat. However, in the old days, the fish on the platform was used to honor the gods. Therefore, this kind of fish is absolutely not edible. However, as Qianlong was the emperor, the dangkan could do nothing about it, so he discussed with the chef how to deal with the matter.

The chef found that the carp's head is very much like a squirrel's head, and thought of the first word of the signboard of the restaurant is a "pine" word, and suddenly had a bright idea, the plan came to mind, decided to make the fish into the shape of a squirrel, in order to avoid the crime of slaughtering the fish of the gods. After the dish was ready, it was served to Emperor Qianlong. Qianlong carefully tasted, feel crispy outside, tender inside, sweet and sour, he was full of praise, they rewarded the chef.

Since then, the Suzhou government rumors that Qianlong came to eat fish in Songhelou, where the squirrel fish is famous. Therefore, the dish phase of the fish is shaped like a squirrel, so the name squirrel fish. Qianlong every holiday and birthday day, he had to eat squirrel fish. Later, the chefs switched to guppy to make this dish, so it is also known as squirrel guppy.