Cá Hấp Tàu Xì (Steamed Fish with Fermented Black Bean Sauce)

Directions

  1. 1Heat 30ml of cooking oil in a pot.
  2. 2Add 15g of thinly sliced shallots, 20g of thinly sliced ginger with skin, 30g of crushed coriander roots, 30g of crushed scallions, and 10g of fermented black beans (tàu xì).
  3. 3Sauté until the mixture is slightly charred to enhance the aroma.
  4. 4Add 10 rehydrated shiitake mushrooms for flavor and sweetness.
  5. 5Pour in 1 liter of water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for exactly 15 minutes.
  6. 6While the broth is simmering, prepare the pomfret fish by cleaning it and making about five cuts on each side.
  7. 7Place a few slices of ginger, some scallion stalks, and 4-5 crushed coriander roots on top of the fish.
  8. 8Pour about 50ml of cooking wine over the fish.
  9. 9Steam the fish for 15 minutes until cooked, then drain and discard the released water (this is the fishy water).
  10. 10After 15 minutes, strain the broth to get 500ml of liquid (or 300ml for a richer flavor).
  11. 11Season the strained broth with 50ml soy sauce, 20ml fish sauce, 20g oyster sauce, and 20g sugar.
  12. 12Discard the used ginger, scallions, and coriander from the steamed fish.
  13. 13Pour the prepared sauce over the steamed fish, ensuring generous coverage for a balanced, light flavor.
  14. 14Cover and steam for an additional 1 minute.
  15. 15Remove the fish from the steamer and garnish with shredded scallions, coriander, julienned ginger, and julienned chili.

Ingredients

  • 30 ml cooking oil
  • 15 g sliced shallots
  • 20 g ginger with skin, thinly sliced
  • 30 g coriander roots, crushed
  • 30 g scallions, crushed
  • 10 g fermented black beans (tàu xì)
  • 10 tai dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated
  • 1 liter water
  • pomfret fish (cá chim)
  • ginger slices
  • scallion stalks
  • 4 rễ coriander roots, crushed
  • 50 ml cooking wine
  • 50 ml soy sauce
  • 20 ml fish sauce
  • 20 g oyster sauce
  • 20 g sugar
  • shredded scallions
  • coriander
  • julienned ginger
  • julienned chili

Equipment

potsteamerladlestrainer

Tips

  • To prevent fish from being fishy, steam it first to remove the initial water, then add the sauce and steam again.
  • For a richer flavor in the sauce, use 300ml of the broth instead of 500ml.