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5 hacks to eliminate fishy odor, making your fish dish aromatic and flavorful

Fish is a nutritious food that is good for your health. However, many people are put off by the fishy smell that can make the dish unappetizing. Don't worry! The simple trick to removing fishy odor will help you cook delicious and flavorful fish dishes.

Administrator

24 February, 2024

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Clean Fish – The First Step to Delicious Food

To process fish cleanly, the first step is to remove the internal organs, then remove the scales – unless you intend to keep the scales for crispy frying dishes. You should also continue to cut off the fins and most importantly, clean the blood and the milky film inside the fish’s belly.

When processing fish such as snakehead, carp, or catfish, you will notice a white tendon on both sides of the fish. This tendon causes the fish to have a fishy smell, so you should cut it close to the fish’s skin to expose the tendon, then remove it to reduce the fishy smell when cooking.

For fish species living in fresh water, with smooth skin like mackerel, catfish, basa fish, or eels, you should use kitchen ash to rub on the fish’s body to remove the slime. If you don’t have kitchen ash, you can boil some hot water, then pour it onto the fish’s body and use a knife to scrape it clean. This method not only helps remove the slime but also significantly reduces the fishy smell.

Use Saltwater or Rice Washing Water

To eliminate the specific fishy smell of fish, using saltwater or rice washing water is an effective method. Specifically, after cleaning the fish, you can soak them in a diluted saltwater solution or rice washing water for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse the fish with clean water, and the fishy smell will be significantly reduced.

For fish species with a strong fishy smell, rubbing salt grains on the fish’s body, then rinsing it with clean water, is also an effective method to reduce the fishy smell. These methods will help you process fish more easily without worrying about the unpleasant fishy smell.

Using Lemon and Vinegar

Lemon and vinegar, two familiar ingredients in the kitchen, become effective weapons in eliminating the fishy smell. By mixing a small amount of cold water and vinegar, then soaking the cleaned fish in it, the fishy smell will quickly diminish.

In addition, you can also use diluted lemon juice and soak the fish in it for a few minutes, then proceed with cleaning the fish as usual. This method is particularly useful for fish species with smooth skin because it helps not only remove the fishy smell but also eliminate the slime on the fish’s skin. However, note that you should not soak the fish for too long to avoid overcooking the skin.

Using White Wine

After completing the fish cleaning process, using diluted white wine to marinate the fish for about 2 minutes, then dry it, will help reduce the fishy smell significantly. At the same time, when steaming fish dishes, adding a small amount of white wine to the steaming water will generate alcohol vapor, helping to eliminate the fishy smell.

For fish meat marinated with spices, adding a little white wine not only removes the fishy smell but also makes the fish meat tender and flavorful. These measures will enhance our culinary experience when enjoying fish dishes.

Spices

Spices in the kitchen such as pepper, onion, chili, ginger, or cilantro are useful “tools” in eliminating the fishy smell. If you don’t mind the smell of laksa leaves, rubbing this type of herb on the fish’s body will also significantly remove the fishy smell.

Some sour fruits like tamarind, sour soup, or star fruit, when cooked with fish, will also help reduce the fishy smell considerably. In case you want to fry the fish, soaking the fish in a small amount of fresh milk will not only remove the fishy smell but also create a pleasant aroma for the dish.

A small note for you is that fish dishes, whether fried, simmered, steamed, or in soup, should be enjoyed while still hot. This not only enhances the delicious taste of the dishes but also helps you avoid the unwanted fishy smell when the dishes go cold.

Frequently asked questions

There are several ways to reduce or eliminate fishy odor. First, choose fresh fish and ask for it to be cleaned properly. You can also use ingredients like lemon, vinegar, ginger, and herbs to neutralize the smell. Soaking the fish in milk or a vinegar solution can also help reduce the odor.

The fishy odor is caused by a compound called Trimethylamine, which is produced when bacteria breaks down Trimethylamine Oxide in the fish flesh. This compound is responsible for the ‘fishy’ smell and can be reduced by using fresh fish and proper cleaning techniques.

Lemon, vinegar, ginger, and fresh herbs like parsley, dill, and basil are great for adding aroma and flavor to fish dishes. These ingredients help to neutralize any fishy odor and also bring their own unique flavors to the dish.

Soaking the fish in milk or a vinegar solution helps to break down the proteins that cause the fishy odor. It also helps to draw out any remaining blood and impurities, resulting in a cleaner taste and aroma.

Yes, marinating the fish with a combination of aromatic ingredients and spices can enhance the flavor. Also, cooking the fish with other ingredients like vegetables or in a flavorful sauce can add depth and make the dish more appetizing.