Once upon a time there lived a family in a thatched cottage on the banks of Hangzhou's West Lake. The father died young, leaving his wife Songsao a widow and his 12-year-old younger brother in her care.
One day, the younger brother caught a cold. Songsao made him some fish soup; adding pepper, ginger, sherry, and vinegar. After one bowl of this delicious fish soup, the boy soon recovered.
On one of the occasions Song Emperor Gaozong went sightseeing on the West Lake, he asked Songsao to serve lunch on his boat. The perch soup she cooked for him was highly appreciated.
News of the emperor's praise spread and people from all around wanted to taste this soup. Songsao thereupon made her home into a restaurant. Since then, the dish has been known as "Songsao Fish Soup ".
