Ricefield eel is nutritious and can be prepared broiling, stir-frying or quick-boiling. Quick-boiled eel slivers, stir-fried eel slices and cracking eel paste are all Suzhou cuisines enjoying great popularity.

The name of Cracking Eel Paste comes into existence because the oil in the dish still cracks after it is served. Therefore the making of Cracking Eel Paste needs not only skills but timely sevice, or it would be unworthy of the name if it makes no cracking served after the oil cools.