Bombay duck is a common coastal commercial fish with few bones and tender meat.

Bombay duck is a small marine fish found in coastal waters, named for its head, which resembles a dragon's head. Along the coast it is also commonly called shuichan, tofu fish, or jiudu fish. Its body is elongated and soft, grayish-white and semi-transparent throughout, and it is mainly distributed in the warm coastal waters of the western Pacific and Indian Oceans, with catches along the coasts of the East China Sea and South China Sea in China.

The most striking feature of Bombay duck is its tender, soft, and loose flesh with a high water content; it is so smooth and tender that it nearly melts in the mouth like tofu, which is also the origin of the common name tofu fish. Its bones are fine and soft, and apart from the main backbone it has almost no hard spines, making it very easy to eat. However, fresh Bombay duck does not keep well or travel well over long distances, so it is mostly sold near where it is caught, while the rest is processed into dried or salted products for sale.

In terms of eating, there are quite a lot of home-style ways to prepare Bombay duck, commonly including batter-fried, braised, salt-and-pepper, and soup, and after being made into dried products it is also distinctive when pan-fried or cooked with other ingredients. Because the flesh is soft and tender and breaks apart easily, it is best to handle it gently and use moderate heat when cooking; stirring it too much actually makes the flesh fall apart. Thanks to its few bones, smooth flesh, and ease of cooking, it is one of the most popular seafood items on tables in coastal areas.

When choosing Bombay duck, look for a whole fish body, a glossy surface, and no off odor; fish that has been kept too long or repeatedly thawed tends to become soft and lose its flavor. If you do not eat it right after buying it, it is best to clean it thoroughly and then keep it refrigerated or frozen, and eat it as soon as possible. Only when freshness is ensured can the tender, smooth, fresh, and sweet flavor of Bombay duck be fully brought out.