Delicious Braised Fish Recipe – Tender, Flavorful, and Completely Odor-Free

If you follow the recipe below, you’ll have a wonderfully rich, fragrant braised fish dish with firm, tasty flesh — and no trace of that unpleasant fishy smell.

🐟 How to Choose Fresh Fish

One of the key steps to making delicious braised fish is choosing fresh, high-quality fish. The freshness of the fish will determine how tasty and aromatic your final dish turns out.

Always try to buy live fish when possible — their scales should be shiny, and the body should be firm and intact. If you’re buying fish that’s already dead, gently press the flesh with your fingertip; if it springs back, that means it’s still fresh.

Next, check the gills and belly: bright red gills, clean bellies, and undamaged fins are good signs. If there’s still a bit of red blood around the gills, the fish is likely freshly caught. Fresh fish ensures your braised dish will be flavorful, tender, and naturally sweet.

🔪 Step 1: Clean and Prepare the Fish

Once you have your fish, proper cleaning is crucial to remove any fishy odor. Typically, freshwater fish tend to have a stronger smell than saltwater fish, so take extra care during this step.

Here are several effective ways to deodorize fish:

• Use rice water (starch water): This is an old folk trick passed down from our grandparents. After scaling and cleaning the fish, rinse it thoroughly in rice water. This simple step can significantly reduce the fishy smell and leave the meat cleaner and firmer.

• Use salt water: Mix a small amount of salt into water and gently clean the gills and belly of the fish. Salt helps neutralize unpleasant odors and removes residual slime.

• Use ginger wine, vinegar, or lemon juice: Each of these natural ingredients helps eliminate fishy odors while keeping the meat fresh and slightly fragrant. After rinsing with one of these, your fish will be ready for marination.

Pro tip: When cleaning the belly, make sure to remove the dark membrane inside — this is where the strongest fishy smell often comes from.

🍋 Step 2: Marinate the Fish

For the most flavorful braised fish, marinate it before cooking. If you’re still concerned about odor, you can lightly fry the fish on both sides until golden before marinating — this helps firm up the flesh and adds a richer taste.

Combine your seasoning mix: fish sauce, salt, sugar, cooking oil, and optionally ginger, galangal, turmeric, and chili. These ingredients not only enhance flavor but also neutralize any remaining odor.

Let the fish soak in this mixture for about 30 minutes to allow the seasonings to penetrate deeply, giving you a more flavorful and aromatic result. Depending on your regional or personal taste, you can adjust the level of sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your liking.

🍲 Step 3: Braise the Fish

• Avoid using plain water when braising fish. Instead, rely on fish sauce and the natural juices from the ingredients. Slow-cook until the sauce reduces and thickens — this will intensify the flavor and give the dish a beautiful golden-brown glaze.

• Do not flip the fish too often, as this can cause it to break apart. Cover the pot while braising so the flavors are evenly absorbed.

• For an extra layer of richness, add a small amount of pork fat or lard — it gives the dish a glossy finish and an irresistible aroma.

• Once the fish is nearly done, sprinkle in some ground pepper, chopped scallions, and fresh chili slices. These not only enhance the aroma but also add visual appeal.

• Finally, for a unique twist, add a handful of mac mat leaves (a fragrant Vietnamese herb). This special ingredient deepens the flavor and helps eliminate any remaining fishy smell — leaving you with tender, flavorful, and wonderfully aromatic braised fish.

💡 Extra Tips for Perfect Braised Fish

• Use an earthenware pot if possible — it distributes heat evenly and helps the fish retain its natural sweetness.

• For a slightly sweet and caramelized flavor, add a spoonful of caramel sauce (nước màu) before simmering.

• Allow the fish to rest for about 10 minutes after cooking before serving — this helps the flavors settle and enhances texture.

With just a few simple techniques, you can create a pot of braised fish that’s not only fragrant and flavorful but also visually inviting. Serve it with warm rice and some pickled vegetables, and you’ll have a comforting, homemade meal that everyone will love.