黄河鲤鱼 is counted among China's 'Four Famous Fish' (
四大名鱼). The carp's reddish golden scales and the Henan capital of Kaifeng's location on the Yellow River gave rise to signature dishes like
糖醋黄河鲤鱼 and
鲤鱼焙面. The carp is also the animal of the
鲤鱼跳龙门 legend — a carp leaping over Longmen becomes a dragon, symbolizing successful exam candidates.