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    Home » Recipes » Blog

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish, It's worth the effort!

    November 25, 2016 By Sara McCleary Updated May 23, 2021 - This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe
    Whole Deep Fried Fish Thai style

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish is fragrant, juicy, and delicious. Simply serve with steamed rice and vegetables. Trust me, this recipe will be added to your favourites.

    Don’t be hesitant about frying a whole fish. When you make this recipe all the effort will be worth it. Plus it looks pretty damn spectacular on the dining table.

    You will note in the recipe below that I haven’t stipulated a fish size. There is a good reason for that. This Thai style deep fried whole fish recipe can be altered to feed the numbers that you need.

    Plus I also find that the size of fish you purchase is solely dictated by the size of your wok or other deep frying equipment.

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    There is no point in buying a massive fish if you have no way to fry the guy!

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    I find a 600g fish a good size for two people as a meal along with some rice. Or perfect for four with some vegetables or an extra dish and rice. 600g may sound a lot, but don’t forget it is a whole fish.

    That weight also includes the head, bones, and tail. I use snapper for this recipe, it’s a great size to wok fry whole and I love how it has a mild taste.

    Can’t buy snapper in your neck of the woods? Or prefer another white flesh fish? No problems at all, substitute what you like and what’s local.

    A lot of people are put off frying a whole fish for two main reasons. One the head is still attached and some people have issues with that. The other is the whole frying business in general.

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    There isn’t much I can do if you have a problem with a head still attached to your fish when served. This Thai style deep fried whole fish has lots of garnish, therefore my suggestion is to cover the head with it. As I have done in the photos.

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    I personally love fish head. Though not keen on eating the eyes. The cheek meat is so sweet and tender, it’s my favourite part.

    Like cooking meat on the bone, cooking fish on the bone gives a better result. Both in flavour and also in aiding the fish flesh from drying out.

    As for frying, wok frying is super easy and not that messy. Use an oil splat guard, turn the range hood on full blast, and you will be saved from an oily kitchen.

    Important tip! Make sure that you pat the fish completely dry with paper towel before you add it to the oil.

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    To make this recipe even easier have your fishmonger gut and scale your fish for you. Even if you are comfortable and quite capable of doing it yourself, I find it less messy to get someone else to do the work. Plus I always seem to get a rouge scale turn up in the most unexpected places.

    You really don’t like whole fish? Or really don’t want to tackle one in your kitchen? It’s okay, we can still be friends. Honestly, we can.

    As we are still friends I suggest using fish fillets.

    Lightly coat the required number of fillets to feed your tribe with cornflour or potato starch. Then shake off any excess, really shake it off.

    Fry the fillets in a non stick pan with a little mild tasting oil of your choice. Then top with the sauce and garnish as you would for the whole fish.

    Sara xxx

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    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish

    Recipe Author: Sara McCleary
    Thai Style Deep Fried Whole Fish is fragrant, juicy and delicious. Simply serve with steamed rice and a side of vegetables.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main (entree)
    Cuisine Thai
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 25 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 whole fish cleaned gutted and scaled
    • oil for deep frying
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
    • 1 long red chilli finely chopped
    • 2 green onions scallions, finely sliced
    • 1 tablespoon shaoxing Chinese cooking wine
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon fish sauce
    • 3 tablespoons palm sugar syrup
    • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon white pepper ground
    • coriander cilantro to garnish
    • bean sprouts to garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse your fish to remove any loose scales that may still be clinging to its body. Also take this opportunity to run your fingers over the skin to make sure all scales have been removed.
    • Using kitchen towel pat dry your fish thoroughly. Water left on the fish will cause your oil to spit.
    • With a sharp knife make a couple of deep slits into the flesh of the fish on both sides. Make sure not to cut all the way down to the bone. If you do, don’t panic, the world won’t end.
    • Heat oil in your wok to 180°C (350°F). Make sure that you use enough oil to cover your fish. If you find that bits of your fish stick out, its okay, spoon the hot oil over the fish while its cooks. I always wiggle the head down in the oil for a few minutes to make sure that is cooked through well.
    • Deep fry the fish until it is golden brown and cooked through. Remove fish from the oil and place on kitchen towel to drain while you prepare the sauce.
    • Place 1 tablespoon of your deep frying oil in a medium size saucepan and add garlic, ginger and chilli and green onion. Fry until fragrant.
    • Add shaoxing, soy sauce, fish sauce, palm sugar syrup, rice vinegar and white pepper to the pan. Stir well and bring to the boil. As soon as it reaches boiling point remove immediately from the heat.
    • Place fried fish on to a serving platter and scatter with half the coriander and bean sprouts. Pour the sauce over the fish and garnish with the remaining coriander and bean sprouts.
    • Serve immediately with steamed rice.

    Notes

    Use your fishmonger
    To make this recipe even easier have your fishmonger gut and scale your fish for you. Even if you are comfortable and quite capable of doing it yourself, I find it less messy to get someone else to do the work. Plus I always seem to get a rouge scale turn up in the most unexpected places.
    Don't like whole fish?
    You really don’t like whole fish? Or really don’t want to tackle one in your kitchen? I suggest using fish fillets.
    Lightly coat the required number of fillets to feed your tribe with cornflour or potato starch. Then shake off any excess, really shake it off.
    Palm sugar syrup
    If  you can't find palm sugar syrup you can use normal palm sugar or brown sugar

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 859mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 167IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 7mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword how do i cook a whole fish, how to fry a whole fish, what recipes can i make with a whole fish
    Did You Make This Recipe?I do a happy dance when people share how they went. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter @bellyrumbles & #bellyrumbles
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Adam

      April 11, 2022 at 11:50 am

      5 stars
      This is just an amazing recipe, the balance of flavors is impeccable, love it , my wife who does not normally enjoy exotic flavors loved the taste , it’s definately going to be a regular on our table. Restaurant quality.

      Reply
    2. Lucy

      November 27, 2020 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      This was easy and delicious. Will definitely make this over and over.

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        November 27, 2020 at 12:25 pm

        Hi Lucy

        I am so thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this recipe. Reading these kinds of comments always makes me smile 🙂

        Cheers
        Sara

        Reply
        • Kevin

          May 22, 2021 at 11:18 pm

          Hi, Sara. I have been using your Thai style fish recipe for a while now and really enjoy it. However, the recipe itself is not appearing any longer in my browser. Could you please repost or send me the ingredients please?

          Reply
          • Sara McCleary

            May 23, 2021 at 12:22 pm

            HI Kevin, Thanks for letting me know that gremlins have been hard at work! Sorry if the recipe disappearance caused issues. It is now back up as you can see.
            Also so happy to hear that you enjoy the recipe 🙂
            Cheers Sara

            Reply
    3. Antony Masters

      July 10, 2020 at 4:27 am

      5 stars
      This is a fabulous recipe! Really easy and hugely flavoursome and delicious! Have cooked this dish a bunch of times now 🙂

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        July 10, 2020 at 4:26 pm

        Hi Antony, Glad to hear that you are enjoying this recipe, numerous times! That's what I love to hear. Cheers, Sara.

        Reply
    4. Yeeha!

      February 16, 2020 at 1:39 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is perfect for a whole fried fish. The sweet, sour, and spicy elements are well balanced. The vinegar is needed to cut through the fried fish. I was at the asian food store and they will clean and fry the fresh fish for us, for free! I came home and made the sauce within 10 minutes. This was perfect for our family of 4.

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        February 19, 2020 at 1:44 pm

        Hey Yeeha, so glad you loved the recipe and that you got your fish cleaned for free!! That was a total bonus.

        Reply
      • Fay

        August 29, 2021 at 10:56 am

        The Asian store near us also fries it for customers. But do you then reheat it? If yes. Would you mind sharing exactly how Thank you in advance

        Reply
        • Sara McCleary

          August 29, 2021 at 2:52 pm

          Hi Fay
          This recipe is best eaten once it has been prepared. I don't recommend making it and then re-heating it at a later time.

          Reply
          • Fay

            September 02, 2021 at 4:33 am

            5 stars
            Thank you. I wanted our guest to enjoy your delicious recipe too but without the last minute messy kitchen ?
            Guess it’s just going to be friends we very comfortable with
            Thank you for sharing your recipe

            Reply
    5. Ruba

      December 24, 2019 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe! I Highly recommend it we loved it!

      Reply
    6. T Turner

      September 26, 2019 at 1:41 am

      5 stars
      Made for my sweeties 55th bday. He and kids loved it. I made his with whole tilapia. He's carribean descent, used to fried whole fish not Thai style but loved it either way. The sauce was the best. I made swai fish filets for my boys, they loved it too minus the cilantro.

      Reply
      • Sara

        October 02, 2019 at 12:42 pm

        Hi T, I am so glad that your sweetie and family loved the the fish you cooked for them. Also love your adaptation with the fillets and less cilantro. Happy 55th to your other half!

        Reply
    7. CyRez

      August 26, 2019 at 6:54 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe. I have made over and over. It is my husband's favorite recipe of everything I make. And I like to cook!

      Reply
      • Sara

        September 01, 2019 at 4:44 pm

        CyRez I am so glad, that makes me very happy to know both you and your husband love the recipe. Wonderful readers like yourself are what make this blogging biz worthwhile.

        Reply
    8. Min

      July 29, 2019 at 11:02 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious! Thanks for sharing a delicious red snapper recipe:)

      Reply
      • Sara

        August 05, 2019 at 4:28 pm

        My pleasure.

        Reply
    9. Dani

      September 30, 2018 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this and it is gorgeous thanks for the receipe i only ever order at restaurants.

      Reply
    10. donna Q

      September 07, 2018 at 4:46 am

      5 stars
      Sara, good call on this one. We had 16 oz. of small flounder fillets and used them instead of the whole fish, while following the same recipe (we use dry sherry wine instead of the Shaoxing wine, a suitable substitute for sure!)... fed our family of four with a vege Thai red curry side and the fish was a huge, huge hit. Pure genius to put the flavorful robust sauce on top of the fish, and fry the fish in plain oil. We had plenty of sauce left over to mop up with our rice. Wonderful dinner good for our teens and us adults too.

      Reply
      • Sara

        September 07, 2018 at 12:39 pm

        Hi Donna, that sounds like an amazing feast. So glad you enjoyed the recipe. I love the idea of using the smaller flounder fillets. BTW I will often use dry sherry as well, it is the perfect substitute.

        Reply
    11. Agness of Run Agness Run

      February 20, 2017 at 3:24 am

      I love preparing fish, but your version of preparing fish is amazing! Can't wait to taste this!

      Reply
    12. Susan Salzman

      November 30, 2016 at 2:07 pm

      that's a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful dish!

      Reply
    13. Loganayaki

      November 28, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      I love your blog and recipes. I’ll try out this recipe for sure.

      Reply
    14. Nagalakshmi

      November 25, 2016 at 6:25 pm

      looks gorgeous! i have only tried these in restaurants but absolutely love 'em.

      Reply
    15. Jean | Holy Smithereens

      November 25, 2016 at 6:09 pm

      Wow, great effort there! Ive always wanted to try this but am daunted by the task - I don't have a wok big enough and am afraid of the splatter / mess.
      But I do love eating from an entire fish there really is a difference vs fillets.

      Reply

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    photo of Sara McCleary, Founder, Belly Rumbles culinary travel blog

    Well hello there! I’m Sara McCleary a food photographer, creative recipe developer, and avid traveller (when the World isn’t in a pandemic).

    Welcome to Belly Rumbles, my slice of the Internet.

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