Sweet and sour fish is a flavorful Asian dish featuring fried fish pieces coated in a tangy sauce. The crispy fish is served with colorful vegetables in the savory-sweet sauce, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures. It is often enjoyed with steamed rice or noodles for a satisfying and delicious meal.
Where does sweet and sour fish come from?
Sweet and sour fish is a popular dish in many Asian cuisines, particularly in Chinese cuisine. It is believed to have originated in China, where the combination of sweet and sour flavors has been used in cooking for centuries. The dish typically consists of battered and fried fish pieces or fish fillets served with a sauce made from a balance of sweet and tangy ingredients like sugar, vinegar, and ketchup.
Over time, the dish has spread to other parts of Asia and has been adapted and incorporated into the culinary traditions of different countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Each region may have its own variation of sweet and sour fish, adding local ingredients and flavors to the dish.
In Chinese cuisine, sweet and sour fish is often part of a larger repertoire of sweet and sour dishes, which can also include sweet and sour pork or chicken. The combination of sweet and sour flavors is highly appreciated in Chinese cooking, and the popularity of sweet and sour fish has made it a beloved dish around the world, served in many Chinese restaurants and Asian eateries globally.
What is sweet and sour fish made of?
- White Fish: The main ingredient of the dish, white fish refers to a variety of mild-flavored fish like cod, haddock, or bass. These types of fish are versatile and perfect for absorbing the sweet and sour flavors of the sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: Used to dredge the fish, all-purpose flour helps create a light coating that enhances the texture of the fish when cooked.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings added to the flour mixture to enhance the flavor of the fish.
- Vegetable Oil: Used both for frying the fish and sautéing the vegetables, vegetable oil adds richness to the dish and ensures the fish and vegetables cook evenly.
- Minced Garlic: Aromatic and flavorful, minced garlic adds depth to the sweet and sour sauce.
- Ginger: Powdered ginger infuses the dish with a warm and zesty flavor, complementing the sweet and tangy notes of the sauce.
- Bell Peppers: Diced bell peppers, in various colors, contribute to the dish’s vibrant appearance and add a crisp texture and mild sweetness.
- Onions: Sliced onions bring a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce and blend well with the other ingredients.
- Ketchup: The base of the sweet and sour sauce, ketchup provides a tangy and slightly sweet flavor profile.
- Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a distinct tanginess that balances the sweetness of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: A savory umami component, soy sauce enhances the overall flavor profile of the sweet and sour sauce.
- Honey: A natural sweetener, honey replaces sugar and adds a delicate sweetness to the dish.
- Steamed Rice or Noodles: A bed of steamed rice or noodles serves as the base for serving the white fish in sweet and sour sauce, providing a hearty and satisfying meal.
- Sliced Green Onions or Sesame seeds (Optional): Garnishes such as sliced green onions or mixed sesame seeds can be added to the finished dish.
How to make Sweet and Sour Fish?
Combine all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat the white fish pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the coated fish pieces for approximately 2-3 minutes per side until they are lightly browned and fully cooked. Set the fish aside.
In the same skillet, add more vegetable oil. Sauté minced garlic and grated ginger for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Add diced bell peppers and sliced onions, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and ginger until thoroughly combined. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir everything together and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Return the cooked fish to the skillet and gently toss it in the sweet and sour sauce until fully coated.
Serve the white fish in sweet and sour sauce over steamed rice or noodles. Optionally, garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro. Enjoy!
If you like Asian cuisine, check out these recipes:
White Fish in Sweet and Sour Sauce
Ingredients
Fish
- 1 lb. white fish fillets (such as cod or bass), cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Sweet and sour sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or a mix), diced
- ¼ cup sliced onions
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix the all-purpose flour with a pinch of salt and pepper. Dredge the white fish pieces in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated fish pieces and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side until they are lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the fish from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the skillet, add vegetable oil. Saute the minced garlic and grated ginger for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the diced bell peppers and sliced onions, and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ketchup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and ginger until well combined. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked fish to the skillet and gently toss it in the sweet and sour sauce until it's well coated.
- Serve the white fish in sweet and sour sauce over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy!
Sweet and Sour Sauce Fish