For Russians, smelt is as much a symbol of Petersburg as the Hermitage, bridges being raised and the White Nights – you’re unlikely to surprise the locals here with that information. You can surprise them with an unusual recipe for the preparation of this renowned fish. The Geography of Taste host Vladimir Pavlov shows us how to cook smelt in tempura, turning it into an Asian street food dish, but with a Petersburg slant on it. He also shows us how to make a “chili-mayo” sauce to go with it, using homemade mayonnaise.