Fish is a familiar food in many Vietnamese family meals, known for its high nutritional value, and benefits for cardiovascular health, brain function, and digestion. However, the distinctive fishy odor often deter people from preparing it at home. While various methods like using rice wine, vinegar, or lemon juice have been passed down, the results are not always satisfactory.

Why Soak Fish in Warm Salted Water?

Warm salted water is a mixture of lukewarm water and a small amount of salt

This is an extremely effective, safe, and simple way to prepare fish:

  • Warm water relaxes the fish’s skin, allowing salt to penetrate deeper, removing slime and odor-causing bacteria.

  • Salt has natural antibacterial properties, and when dissolved in water, it helps eliminate impurities and significantly reduces the fishy odor.

  • Soaking fish in warm salted water also firms up the flesh, maintaining its structure, so it doesn’t fall apart during cooking.

Instructions

Ingredients:

  • 1 liter of warm water (around 40°C; avoid using hot water)

  • 1 teaspoon of salt

Method:

  • Dissolve the salt in warm water.

  • Soak the cleaned fish for about 10 to 15 minutes.

  • After soaking, rinse the fish with cold water to remove excess salt and pat it dry before cooking.

Notes:

  • Avoid soaking the fish for too long, as it may make the flesh overly salty and affect its natural sweetness.

  • For fish with a strong fishy odor, gently rub salt directly onto the surface before soaking to enhance the effect.

This brine effectively removes the fishy odor, firms the flesh, and enhances its nutritional value threefold.

Benefits

After soaking in warm salted water, the fish will be virtually odorless, with firmer flesh that retains its natural sweetness. This method also sanitizes the fish without compromising its nutritional value. Compared to fish prepared with regular water, fish soaked in warm salted water stays fresher and retains more of its nutritional benefits.

You don’t need expensive ingredients or complicated techniques to effectively prepare fish. With just warm salted water – a simple, readily available kitchen staple – you can eliminate the fishy odor, firm up the flesh, and enhance its nutritional value. It’s a small but valuable tip to make your family meals tastier, healthier, and more enjoyable.

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