The Chrysanthemum-shaped sleeve fish (Jinmao shizi yu) is probably the most local dish that the Shijiazhuang cooks produce. 

The dish is a piece of art more than a culinary delight, but visitors to this city should never leave before they have at least tried it once.

The art work of the dish is in the knifemanship, a skill for which the Shijiazhuang people are famed. Chefs cut the local body of the sleeve fish into the chrysanthemum shape and then fry the result in oil. The fish shrinks in size and the final dish is known for its pleasing golden colour. If you are going to try this dish, it may be worth ordering it in the better class restaurants in the city.