## Tips for Marinating Fish to Remove the Fishy Smell
Fish is a nutritious food and an important part of our daily meals. But do you know how to properly marinate fish to eliminate any fishy odor?
Tips for Marinated Fish to Remove the Fishy Smell
When selecting seafood, opt for fresh fish with clear eyes, bright red gills, and firm, elastic flesh. Use salt to clean the fish, removing the gills and any traces of blood before cutting and marinating.
For freshwater fish, wash it with salted water or rub it with salt to eliminate any muddy or fishy odor.
For snakehead fish, remove the skin and scales. Also, remember to take out the two particularly fishy scales near the head and the fishy thread along the spinal bone.
Once the fish is cleaned and rinsed, use ginger-infused alcohol to wash both the inside and outside of the fish. Then, place the fish in a colander and pour hot water (around 70–80°C) over it. This process tightens the flesh. Make sure to use a colander with wide gaps, and avoid using water that is too hot. Immediately drain the water and let the fish dry.
Depending on the recipe, you can marinate the fish with a few drops of lemon juice to neutralize the fishy smell.
When cooking, add ginger to neutralize the fishy odor, especially for dishes with a sweet and sour sauce or fish sauce.
If you’re frying the fish, make sure it’s thoroughly dried after rinsing. Then, coat it with a layer of dry coating (tapioca starch, wheat flour, or crispy flour) before frying.
When making stewed fish, pay attention to marinating it with seasonings and food coloring to ensure the flavors penetrate the fish. Avoid stirring or flipping the fish too much during the stewing process to prevent it from breaking apart.
For boiled or steamed fish, serve it as soon as it’s cooked. Overcooking will cause the fish to fall apart and the meat to dry out, losing its sweetness.
Other Methods to Remove the Fishy Smell During Cooking
Soak the Fish in Rice Water
This is a traditional trick used by many homemakers. After cleaning the fish, soak it in rice water for 10–15 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly. Rice water tends to have a sour smell due to fermentation, so be sure to rinse the fish well afterward.
Soak the Fish in Tea
Prepare a bowl of tea (either black tea or green tea, as they have the same antibacterial properties) and let it cool down. Soak the cleaned fish in the tea for about 10 minutes. The tea will effectively eliminate the fishy odor.
Soak the Fish in Alcohol and Ginger
Crush and mince a piece of ginger, then place it in a large bowl with white alcohol or cooking wine. Add water and put the fish in the mixture, thoroughly washing both the inside and outside. This combination does a great job of removing the fishy smell while making the fish smell fragrant and firm.
Soak the Fish in Milk
Milk contains casein, which, when combined with trimethylamine in fish, helps eliminate the fishy smell. After cleaning the fish, soak it in unsweetened fresh milk for about 15–20 minutes to neutralize the odor.
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