Cá Hấp Nước Mắm
Cá Hấp Nước Mắm is a traditional Vietnamese steamed fish dish infused with aromatic spices and savory fish sauce, creating a delightful balance of flavors. This low-carb dish is perfect for a healthy meal, showcasing the fresh taste of fish while remaining light and satisfying.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Vietnamese
220 kcal
Ingredients
- Whole fish (such as tilapia or sea bass) - 300 grams
- Fish sauce - 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice - 2 tablespoons
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Ginger - 1 tablespoon, julienned
- Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Red chili - 1, sliced (optional for heat)
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Green onions - 2, chopped
- Water - 500 milliliters
Steps
- Clean and gut the fish, then make diagonal slashes on both sides to allow for better flavor absorption.
- In a bowl, mix fish sauce, lemon juice, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, and half of the chopped cilantro.
- Marinate the fish in the mixture for at least 10 minutes, ensuring the marinade gets into the slashes.
- Prepare a steaming setup by filling a pot with water and bringing it to a boil.
- Place the marinated fish on a heatproof plate, and sprinkle the remaining cilantro, chopped green onions, and sliced red chili on top.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and place the plate with the fish into the pot, covering it with a lid.
- 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 pot and let it cool for a minute before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 1300 mg
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Total Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth.
- Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
Tags
VietnameseLow CarbMain Dish