Quick fish recipes are perfect for those midweek dinners, and this Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce comes together using only 4 main ingredients. The fish is fried until deliciously crispy then smothered in a sweet and tangy tomato sauce that’s just out of this world!
Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce Recipe
If you need a fresh, new and exciting idea for your next recipe, then this Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce is the one for you!
I’m telling you now, the secret is in the sauce. When you bite down into a ridiculously crispy fish that’s not too oily and not at all soggy, the first half of your taste buds will simply cry with joy.
Then let your mouth discover pops of velvety fresh tomatoes gently simmered with onions and you’ll wonder why you don’t have this sauce on anything else!
Did I mention that this whole recipe only needs 4 main ingredients? You can have an amazing meal ready to go with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. I love saving myself a trip to the market!
Finally, and most importantly, the fish gets plated like this…crispy skin coated in all its mouthwatering glory.
Sauce for fried fish - the maker of this dish
I’ll be completely honest here…this recipe is REALLY about the tomato sauce that rests beautifully over our crispy fried fish.
It’s a surprisingly easy sauce for the incredible flavour that it adds! All it is is a hit of zest, a pinch of seasoning and some thickener to give it a glaze quality that will transform into the most amazing sauce.
Once you layer it on and the fish’s crispiness has just started to soften under its warm, tangy tomato blanket, you can dig deeply into your bowl of rice and know that this Vietnamese side dish will make every mouthful worthy of your time!
Which fish is best for frying?
There are many fish suitable for frying, but here are some tips for the most ideal types:
- Choose fish that are not too oily. The tomatoes in this dish have a fresh flavour, which would pair well with a leaner protein.
- Make sure the fish has a neutral flavour. The sauce is reminiscent of a warm salsa and best complemented by a milder flavoured fish. You’ll find that fish with white flesh generally fall under this category. Flounder, trout, tilapia, catfish, perch and cod are great options to try out!
Before frying: Just make sure to score the fish deeply in an ‘X’ shape then ones across the middle for the fish to cook quickly and evenly. It’s also a great way for the sauce to sink in!
What you'll need to make Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce
- 2 whole fish (we used flounder)
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- 2 onions, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp potato starch (affiliate link)
- 1 tbsp sugar, or to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder (affiliate link)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 cup water
- oil (for frying)
How to make Vietnamese Fried fish with Tomato Sauce
Pour a generous amount of oil in the pan to cover the base and add the fish in to fry when the oil is hot.
Cook them for 15 minutes on either side or until golden brown, then plate the fish.
Add 2 tbsp oil into a wok and brown the onions.
Meanwhile, mix the tomatoes, potato starch, sugar, chicken bouillon powder and salt together.
Add it to the onions and stir for 1 minute before adding in the water. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
Serve the tomato sauce on top of the fried fish when ready to eat and enjoy it with rice.
But if you just can’t wait to eat it (like me 99% of the time), then skip the rice altogether and dive straight in!
Lots of Love,
Jeannette
More delicious Vietnamese Side Dishes
Vietnamese Fried Fish with Tomato Sauce (Cá Chiên Sốt Cà Chua)
Ingredients
- 2 whole fish, scored and halved (we used founder)
- 3 tomatoes, diced
- 2 onions, roughly chopped
- 1 tbsp potato starch (affiliate link)
- 1 tbsp sugar, or to taste
- 1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon powder (affiliate link)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 cup water
- oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Pour a generous amount of oil in the pan to cover the base and add the fish in to fry when the oil is hot.
- Cook them for 15 minutes on either side or until golden brown, then plate the fish.
- Add 2 tbsp oil into a wok and brown the onions.
- Meanwhile, mix the tomatoes, potato starch, sugar, chicken bouillon powder and salt together.
- Add it to the onions and stir for 1 minute before adding in the water. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Serve the tomato sauce on top of the fried fish when ready to eat and enjoy it with rice!
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This dish was a big hit! We all loved how crispy the fish turned out and the tomato sauce was delicious!
Glad to hear that you enjoyed it, Jamie!
Quick fish recipes are my favorite – they save time and are healthy & delicious! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
It’s great for the family! I hope you enjoy it, Mahy!
Fried fish is always a favorite! Love the Vietnamese flavors!
Thanks, Tisha!
I enjoy trying unique recipes and can’t wait to give this one a try!
Thanks, Vicky! It’s definitely worth a try!
This recipe is so good! It’s a delicious switch up from my usual baked or pan seared fish. Definitely a go-to weeknight recipe!
I love changing it up every now and then too!