Chinese Crispy Fish Fillet is a popular dish in Chinese restaurants, known for its crunchy coating, tender flaky fish, and a sweet-savoury sauce that makes every bite mouth watering. It combines classic Chinese ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil with a light batter or cornflour coating for deep frying.
This dish is often served as an appetizer or as part of a main course with noodles or fried rice. Itβs a great way to enjoy seafood with a bold, Asian flair!
Whether you’re a seafood lover or looking to try something new, this dish is guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds.
π Ingredients: What Youβll Need
For the Fish Marinade:
- 500g white fish fillets (tilapia, basa, cod, or haddock)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- Β½ tsp white pepper
- Β½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
For the Coating:
- Β½ cup cornflour
- ΒΌ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg (optional for extra crispiness)
- Cold water (as needed)
For the Sauce (optional but recommended):
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili sauce (or sriracha)
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Β½ tsp sugar
- 2β3 cloves garlic (minced)
- Β½ inch ginger (grated)
- 1 tsp cornflour (slurry with water)
For Frying:
- Oil for deep frying
πͺ How to Make Chinese Crispy Fish Fillet β Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare the Fish
- Clean and cut the fish into medium-sized strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 2: Marinate
- In a bowl, combine soy sauce, ginger-garlic paste, salt, pepper, and vinegar.
- Toss the fish pieces in the marinade and let sit for 20β30 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Batter
- In a mixing bowl, combine cornflour and all-purpose flour.
- Add an egg (optional) and enough cold water to form a semi-thick batter.
- Dip each fish piece into the batter to coat well.
Step 4: Deep Fry
- Heat oil in a deep pan or wok.
- Fry the coated fish in batches until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels.
π Pro Tip: Double frying gives an extra crunchβfry once at medium heat, rest for 5 minutes, then refry on high heat.
π Best Fish for Chinese Fry Recipes
Choose white, firm-fleshed fish that holds up well to frying:
- Tilapia
- Basa
- Cod
- Haddock
- Snapper
- Pollock
Avoid oily fish like mackerel for this dish.
π‘ Tips for Perfect Crispy Fish Fillet
- Dry the fish thoroughly before marination.
- Use cold water or even ice water for the batter β it results in extra crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying.
- Use neutral-flavoured oil like sunflower or vegetable oil.
- Double-fry for restaurant-level crunch.
π§ Health Note
While Chinese Crispy Fish Fillet is deep-fried, you can make it healthier by:
- Air frying or baking the coated fish.
- Using a non-stick pan with minimal oil to shallow fry.
- Skipping the sweet sauce or using low-sodium soy sauce.
Fish provides lean protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential nutrients. Just enjoy it in moderation!
Chinese Crispy Fish Fillet is the perfect recipe to try when you want something quick, flavourful, and restaurant-style at home. With its crispy golden crust and tender inside, itβs a dish that appeals to all ages. Pair it with noodles or rice, or just enjoy it as a standalone appetizerβit never fails to impress.
So grab your wok, fire up the stove, and treat yourself to this irresistible crispy Chinese fish delight!
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