Crispy Fried Fish with Green Herb Sauce
Whole fish fried until shatteringly crisp, served with a bright cilantro-lime dipping sauce and a crunchy salt-pepper mix. Vietnamese street food that tastes like a restaurant—30 minutes, one skillet.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Servings
- 2
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 28g
Ingredients
- 2 fillets or 1 whole fish (12 oz total) whole white fish (sea bass, branzino, or snapper)
- 2 cups neutral cooking oil
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, packed
- 2 whole (juiced) lime
- 1 whole Thai green chili or jalapeño
- 2 tbsp white pepper (or black pepper)
Instructions
- 1
Blend cilantro, lime juice, chopped chili, 3 tbsp water, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Pour into a serving bowl.
- 2
Mix white pepper with 1 tbsp salt in a small bowl. Set aside as a dipping mix.
- 3
Pat fish completely dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
- 4
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high until a pinch of flour sizzles immediately (350°F).
- 5
Coat fish lightly in flour, shaking off excess. Carefully slide into hot oil and fry 4–5 minutes per side until skin is golden and crackling—don't move it.
- 6
Lift fish onto a paper-towel-lined plate. Serve immediately with green sauce and salt-pepper mix on the side.
Tools you’ll need
- large skillet (12-inch)
- instant-read thermometer or wooden toothpick
- blender or food processor
- paper towels
- slotted spatula or fish turner
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