In this case, I used perch as the whole fish in this Asian-styled recipe, but it will work with nearly any species. (Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley photo)
By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley
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This dish is served family style, much like at most Asian dinner tables. A whole fish is cooked, big enough for the family, and everyone picks at it with chopsticks to eat with rice. For most of my life, I ate fish with its head still on and had no idea that fillets even existed.
There are many variations of this dish. I’ve had whole fish seared/fried/steamed with all kinds of sauces on it. Use the ingredients here or make it your own – add ginger, use fish sauce and water instead of ponzu, add lime juice or vinegar – salty, spicy and tangy is what you’re shooting for.
Serves: 2 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes
If you can, try to find the Laoganma brand for the chili in oil ingredient. It's a thick and crunchy blend that has a little heat to it. (Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley photo) Ingredients:
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1 whole fish, scales removed (pictured is perch) Salt, to taste 1 tablespoon oil 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 scallion, thinly sliced on the bias 2-3 tablespoons chili in oil 3 tablespoons ponzu Cooked white rice for serving Directions: