Chinese Pan-fried Fish

Recently, the traditional Southern Chinese dish "Pan-Fried Fish" has gained widespread popularity in the international market. Its crispy exterior, tender interior, rich nutrition, and unique cooking techniques have made it a favorite in many restaurants and households.

6 Reviews
6 Comments
POSTED:14/05/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:3-5 servings
Total:45 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:30 min

The preparation of this dish is an art form, with each step being crucial to its success. From selecting fresh fish to carefully marinating it, and then skillfully pan-frying, every detail matters. Join me as we take a closer look at the process!


1.How to Choose Fresh Fish?

Determining the freshness of fish involves examining five key aspects:

Eyes: Fresh fish have full, bulging eyeball with clear, transparent corneas that are elastic.

Belly: The belly of fresh fish appears normal and not swollen, with a white and recessed anus.

Gills: The gill filaments of fresh fish are bright red and covered with transparent mucus, emitting a salty smell for saltwater fish or an earthy smell for freshwater fish, without any foul odor.

Flesh: Fresh fish have firm, elastic flesh. When pressed, the indentation should quickly disappear. The flesh should be odorless and have a shiny cut surface.

Body: Fresh fish have a layer of clear mucus, shiny scales that adhere tightly to the body, and are not easily shed (except for pomfret, large yellow croaker, and small yellow croaker).


2.Tips for Marinating Fish

Marinating not only enhances the flavor of the fish but also helps maintain its firm texture. A simple marinade can be made using salt, black pepper, and lemon juice. Apply this mixture evenly over the fish and let it marinate for 15-30 minutes. After marinating, pat the fish dry with paper towels to prevent sticking and oil splatter when frying.

Be mindful not to marinate the fish for too long, as this can make it overly salty or cause it to lose its natural flavor. Of course, you can adjust the marinade ingredients and marinating time according to your personal taste and the type of fish you are using.


3.Tips to Prevent Fish from Sticking to the Pan

Here are three key points to prevent fish from sticking to the pan:

Dry the Fish: After washing or marinating the fish, use paper towels or a kitchen towel to thoroughly dry the surface and cavity of the fish. This ensures the fish is dry before it goes into the pan.

Prepare the Pan: After cleaning the pan, heat it to dry any remaining water. Rub a slice of ginger over the bottom of the pan to coat it with a thin layer of ginger juice, creating a protective film.

Cooking the Fish: When you place the fish in the pan, resist the urge to move it immediately. Cook it over medium-low heat until the bottom turns golden brown before flipping it to cook the other side.


For pan-fried fish, ideal choices are those with firm flesh and thin skin, such as pomfret, large yellow croaker, or culter erythropterus. Today, I've chosen culter erythropterus because it has fewer bones and is easier to eat. Feel free to choose your favorite type of fish and join me in making this delicious dish!

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • 8 culter erythropterus

ACCESSORIES

  • 0.35oz(10g) chopped green onions
  • 0.35oz(10g) minced ginger
  • 0.35oz(10g) minced garlic
  • 0.35oz(10g) green chilli pepper
  • 0.18oz(5g) red chilli pepper
  • 0.18oz(5g) Sichuan peppercorns

SEASONINGS

  • appropriate amount of oil
  • appropriate amount of cooking wine
  • appropriate amount of soy sauce
  • appropriate amount of salt

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Remove the scales from the fish and clean thoroughly.

Clean fish by removing scales before cooking.

STEP 2

Use a knife to cut along the belly of the fish. Alternatively, kitchen scissors can be used to open the fish belly.

Instructions to cut open the fish belly using a knife or kitchen scissors.

STEP 3

Remove the organs and black membrane from the fish cavity, and clean thoroughly.

Tips:

Ensure to clean the black membrane inside the cavity thoroughly, as it tends to accumulate harmful substances.

Clean fish cavity by removing organs and black membrane to remove harmful substances.

STEP 4

Once cleaned, it should look like this.

Instructions for cleaning an item, resulting in a specific appearance.

STEP 5

After washing all the fish, drain excess water and set aside. You can also pat dry with paper towels or a towel.

Tips:

Depending on preference, after draining excess water, you can marinate the fish with salt, black pepper, lemon juice, or other marinades for 15-30 minutes. After marinating, make sure to pat the surface of the fish dry to prevent sticking and oil splatter when frying.

Pat dry fish after washing, then marinate with seasonings before frying for better flavor and texture.

STEP 6

Finely chop the ginger and garlic into minced pieces. Slice the green onions into small pieces, and the green and red chilli peppers into rings for later use.

Prepare ingredients: chop ginger, garlic finely. Slice green onions, green & red chilli peppers.

STEP 7

Heat oil in a pan, add a few Sichuan peppercorns once the oil is hot. This can effectively remove the fishy smell.

Heat oil with Sichuan peppercorns to remove fishy smell.

STEP 8

Reduce the heat to low and carefully place the fish into the pan one by one.

Cook fish on low heat after carefully placing in pan.

STEP 9

Avoid flipping the fish too soon. Keep the heat low and pan-fry until golden brown before flipping.

Tips:

Be cautious when flipping the fish. Use an appropriate spatula to gently slide it in from one side and flip it slowly. Make sure the spatula is fully underneath the fish to support the entire body and prevent the flesh from breaking apart during flipping. If the fish shows signs of sticking to the pan, do not force it; instead, gently shake the pan to move the oil around, helping to loosen the fish.

Tips for pan-frying fish: Avoid flipping too soon. Use the right spatula and be gentle to prevent sticking/breaking.

STEP 10

Cook both sides until they are golden brown.

Cook both sides until golden brown.

STEP 11

Push the fried fish to the edge of the pan, or you can remove them and place them on a plate.

Move fried fish to the edge of the pan or onto a plate.

STEP 12

Add the chopped ginger, minced garlic, and chilli pepper rings to the pan.

Add chopped ginger, minced garlic, and chili pepper rings to the pan.

STEP 13

Add an appropriate amount of cooking wine, soy sauce, and salt, and stir-fry until evenly mixed.

Tips:

Adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding chili powder, pepper, etc.

Instructions on seasoning stir-fry with cooking wine, soy sauce, and salt; tips on customizing flavor with chili powder, pepper.

STEP 14

Add the chopped green onions, stir well, and the dish is ready to serve.

Add chopped green onions, stir, and dish is ready to serve.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Chinese Pan-fried Fish
  • Main Ingredients:6
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:545 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 45 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):32 kcal
    39%
  • Protein:1.18 g
    171%
  • Fat:0.17 g Why gray?
    98%
  • Carbohydrates:7.17 g
    3%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 10%
    3 kcal
  • Fat: 5%
    1 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 85%
    27 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
1:2
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
LoganOctober 09, 2024

When preparing Chinese-style pan-fried fish, how can I ensure that the fish is cooked through without overcooking, while maintaining the tender texture of the fish?
reply:
October 11, 2024
To make sure the fish is fried but not overcooked, you can start by adding the right amount of oil to a pan, adjusting the heat to moderate.
MarkSeptember 28, 2024

When preparing Chinese-style pan-fried fish, how do I ensure that the fish is crispy but not dry
reply:
September 30, 2024
Cooking tips such as controlling the heat and the timing of turning the fish will be provided in the recipe to keep the fish tender and flavorful.
BettySeptember 16, 2024

Are American taste preferences and cooking habits taken into account in this Chinese Pan Fried Fish recipe
reply:
September 18, 2024
Yes, the recipe will be adjusted to ensure that it meets the taste needs of Americans by taking into account their preferences for ingredient selection, cooking methods and seasoning.
AshleyJuly 29, 2024

Why does my fish fall apart?
WilliamJuly 15, 2024

This Chinese Pan Fried Fish Fish is flavorful and unique, perfect for serving with rice.
JohanMay 23, 2024

I've been enjoying Chinese sauteed fish lately, and this recipe was shared by a Chinese person, and it's very authentic, I love it!
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