Cá Hấp
Cá Hấp is a traditional Vietnamese steamed fish dish that highlights the freshness of the fish, complemented by aromatic herbs and spices. This Paleo-friendly recipe is simple yet full of flavor, perfect for a healthy meal.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Vietnamese
250 kcal
Ingredients
- Whole fish (like tilapia or snapper) - 400 grams
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Ginger - 1 inch, sliced
- Lemongrass - 1 stalk, minced
- Fish sauce - 2 tablespoons
- Lime juice - 1 tablespoon
- Fresh cilantro - a handful, chopped
- Fresh Thai basil - a handful, chopped
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Sea salt - 1/2 teaspoon
- Chili pepper - 1, sliced (optional)
- Water - 1 cup
Steps
- Clean the fish thoroughly and make 3-4 diagonal cuts on each side.
- In a small bowl, mix minced garlic, ginger, lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, black pepper, and sea salt.
- Rub the marinade all over the fish, including inside the cuts, and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
- Prepare a steaming setup by bringing water to a boil in a pot or steamer.
- Place the marinated fish on a heatproof plate and garnish with sliced chili pepper, chopped cilantro, and Thai basil.
- Once the water is boiling, place the plate with the fish in the steamer and cover it.
- Steam the fish for about 15-20 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Carefully remove the plate from the steamer and serve hot, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Water: 0.2 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, supporting heart health.
- Rich in vitamins and minerals from fresh herbs, enhancing overall health.
Tags
VietnamesePaleoMain Dish