Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Recipe

Cook Time: 20 minutes  

   Prep Time: 15 minutes

Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Ingredients

Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Instructions

  1. Pat the cleaned and scaled sea bass completely dry with paper towels, making sure to dry inside the cavity and all over the skin.
  2. Score the fish on both sides with three diagonal cuts, about 1/2 inch deep, to help the marinade penetrate and ensure even cooking.
  3. Rub the fish inside and out with Shaoxing wine, kosher salt, and white pepper, making sure to get the marinade into the scored cuts and cavity. Let the fish marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature.
  4. While the fish is marinating, combine light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, aged black vinegar, rock sugar (or granulated sugar), and chicken stock in a small bowl. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved and set aside.
  5. After marinating, pat the fish dry again to remove excess moisture, then dredge the entire fish lightly and evenly in cornstarch, shaking off any excess.
  6. Heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick or well-seasoned wok over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  7. Carefully lower the fish into the hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes on the first side, spooning hot oil over the top to help cook evenly, until the skin is golden and crisp.
  8. Gently flip the fish using two spatulas and fry the other side for another 3-4 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Remove the fish and set aside on a plate.
  9. Pour off excess oil from the wok, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the minced garlic, julienned ginger, and the white parts of the scallions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  10. Add the prepared soy sauce mixture to the wok and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve any remaining sugar.
  11. Return the fried fish to the wok, spooning the sauce over the fish. Add the red chili slices and Sichuan peppercorns if using. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, basting the fish with the sauce to coat it thoroughly.
  12. Drizzle sesame oil over the fish and scatter the green parts of the scallions on top. Simmer for another 30 seconds to infuse the flavors.
  13. Carefully transfer the fish to a serving platter, pour the sauce and aromatics over the top, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before serving.

Estimated Calories: 239, Servings: 4

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About Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Recipe

If you're looking for the best way to impress your friends with a quick, easy, and delicious meal, you have to try this Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce recipe. I swear, every time I make this at home, my kitchen smells so good that even my neighbor's cat tries to sneak in! The ingredients are simple, and you probably already have most of them in your pantry. The secret to this authentic dish is all in the sauce-soy sauce, a touch of sugar, and a sprinkle of green onions. Trust me, once you learn how to make this, you'll never look at boring fish fillets the same way again.
What I love most about this homemade recipe is how quick and easy it is. You don't need to be a professional chef to get that perfect crispy skin and tasty, savory flavor. My top tips? Make sure your oil is hot before you add the fish, and don't be shy with the soy sauce! The best part is, you can adjust the ingredients to your taste-add a little ginger for a kick, or some garlic if you're feeling fancy. Every time I make this, I'm reminded why Anhui cuisine is famous for its bold, yet simple flavors.
If you're wondering how to make this dish truly stand out, here's my advice: use the freshest fish you can find, and don't skip the marinating step. It makes all the difference for that authentic, restaurant-quality taste. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests with something that looks way harder than it actually is. So grab your ingredients, follow these easy steps, and get ready for the best, most delicious fried fish with soy sauce you've ever tasted. Your taste buds (and your dinner guests) will thank you!

Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Tips

You ever notice how every family claims their Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce recipe is the best? Like, "Oh, my grandma's secret is she yells at the fish before frying it." That's the real authentic touch, right? But seriously, if you want your homemade version to be the best, don't just slap some soy sauce on a fish and call it a day. The secret is in the balance-too much soy sauce and you're basically eating a salt lick, too little and it's just fried fish with commitment issues.
Let's talk about how to make this dish easy, quick, and delicious. You want that crispy skin, right? Here's a tip: make sure your fish is dry before it hits the pan. If it's wetter than a stand-up comic bombing on stage, you're not getting that perfect crunch. And don't crowd the pan! Give those fillets some personal space-this isn't a rush hour subway in Anhui.
Now, for the best flavor, use fresh ingredients. I mean, if your ginger looks like it's been through a midlife crisis, maybe it's time for a new one. And when you're making this simple recipe, don't forget the aromatics. Garlic, ginger, scallions-these are the Avengers of the kitchen. They assemble to make your Fried Fish With Soy Sauce taste like the real deal.
Want to know how to make it extra tasty? Here's a quick tip: after frying, pour the hot soy sauce mixture over the fish right before serving. It sizzles, it smells amazing, and it makes you look like you know what you're doing-even if you just Googled "easy Anhui Fried Fish With Soy Sauce recipe" five minutes ago.
If you're aiming for that perfect, restaurant-quality finish, don't forget presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Because nothing says "I nailed this recipe" like a dish that looks as good as it tastes. And remember, the best homemade meals are the ones you can brag about on social media-bonus points if your friends ask for your secret tips!

Fried Fish With Soy Sauce Story

You know, I never thought a recipe could save a relationship, but here we are. My dad and I, we are not exactly the best communicators. Our conversations usually go like this: "How was your day?" "Good." "Yours?" "Fine." Riveting stuff. But one day, I decided to break the cycle with a little culinary intervention. I figured, if you cannot talk it out, maybe you can eat it out. So I whipped up this dish, and suddenly, we were having a real conversation. Turns out, the way to a man's heart is not just through his stomach, it is through a delicious meal that is also easy to make. Who knew?
Now, I am not saying this dish is a miracle worker, but it did turn a quick dinner into a great bonding session. My dad started telling stories from his childhood, and I realized he was actually funny. Like, stand-up comedian funny. I always thought he was just quiet, but maybe he was just waiting for a good meal to open up. The best part? The whole thing was so fast to prepare, we had more time to laugh at each other's terrible jokes. Honestly, if therapy was this tasty, I would go every week.
And let us talk about healthy relationships for a second. They say you need trust, communication, and maybe a little bit of luck. But I am convinced you also need a go-to recipe that brings people together. This dish did not just fill our stomachs, it filled the awkward silences with something better. I am not saying it is magic, but if you want to connect with someone important, serve them something delicious, make it easy, and keep it quick. If nothing else, you will have a great story to tell, and maybe, just maybe, a new inside joke about who is the better cook. Spoiler alert: it is still not me.

Fried Fish With Soy Sauce History

You know, when you talk about the cultural origins of fried fish with soy sauce from Anhui, you have to wonder who first looked at a fish and thought, "You know what would make this healthy protein even better? Let's fry it and drown it in soy sauce!" That's the kind of culinary innovation that only comes from a place where people are both hungry and a little bit bored. Anhui cuisine is famous for its earthy, rustic flavors, and I bet the first person to make this dish was just trying to impress their in-laws with a quick and easy recipe. "Look, Ma, I made the fish taste like something other than fish!" That's a great way to win points at the family dinner, or at least avoid being the punchline at the next reunion.
Now, let's talk about how this recipe evolved. Originally, I bet it was just fish and soy sauce, but then someone said, "Hey, what if we make it fast and delicious by frying it?" Because nothing says "I care about your arteries" like dunking something healthy in hot oil. Over time, people started adding their own twists, like a good comedian adding a new punchline to an old joke. Some folks wanted it spicy, some wanted it sweet, and some just wanted it to be the best excuse to use up that bottle of soy sauce that's been in the fridge since the last lunar new year. It's like the dish went through its own version of culinary puberty-awkward at first, but now it's a crowd-pleaser at every gathering.
Regional adaptations are where things get really fun. You go to one part of Anhui, and they'll tell you their grandma's version is the only good one, and everyone else's is just "fishy business." In the south, they might throw in some extra herbs, while up north, they'll insist the only way to make it is with a fish that looks like it's been lifting weights. It's like the Olympics of fried fish-everyone thinks their method is the best, and they're all convinced it's the most healthy, easy, and quick way to do it. Meanwhile, the rest of us are just happy if we don't set off the smoke alarm trying to recreate it at home.

Storage Tips

Let us talk about storage, because nothing says "I love leftovers" like shoving fried fish with soy sauce into the fridge and hoping for the best. The best way to store this delicious recipe is in an airtight container, unless you want your entire fridge smelling like a seafood market on a hot day. Seriously, your milk will start tasting like the ocean if you are not careful. And if you are feeling fancy, wrap it in foil first, because nothing says "I am an adult" like double-wrapping your fish. It is an easy way to keep things fresh and your roommates from staging an intervention.
Now, shelf life is a funny thing, especially with fried fish. You have got about two days before that healthy, delicious meal turns into a science experiment. After that, it is less "quick lunch" and more "fast track to food poisoning." If you are the type who forgets what is in the back of the fridge, maybe set a reminder. Or just write "eat me now" on the container in big letters. That is a great way to make sure you do not end up playing Russian roulette with your dinner.
Let us get into reheating, because nothing says "culinary adventure" like trying to make yesterday's fried fish taste good again. The best method is the oven, but who has time for that? We are all about fast and easy, so the microwave it is. Just know that the microwave will turn your crispy fish into something that tastes like a wet sock. If you want to keep that flavor retention, try reheating it in a skillet for a few minutes. It is a great way to pretend you are a chef, even if you are just trying to avoid another sad, soggy meal.