Cá Lóc Kho Tương
Cá Lóc Kho Tương is a flavorful Vietnamese dish featuring snakehead fish braised in a rich fermented soybean sauce, complemented by vibrant herbs and spices. This healthy seafood dish is both comforting and packed with umami, making it a delightful meal for any occasion.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Vietnamese
320 kcal
Ingredients
- Snakehead fish - 300g
- Fermented soybean paste (tương) - 2 tablespoons
- Shallots - 2, finely chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Ginger - 1 tablespoon, grated
- Bird's eye chili - 1, sliced (optional)
- Cooking oil - 1 tablespoon
- Sugar - 1 teaspoon
- Water - 200ml
- Fresh coriander - a handful, for garnish
- Spring onion - 2, chopped, for garnish
- Black pepper - to taste
- Salt - to taste
Steps
- Clean and cut the snakehead fish into 2-3 large pieces, then pat dry with paper towels.
- In a pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped shallots, minced garlic, and grated ginger until fragrant.
- Add the fermented soybean paste to the pan and stir well to combine with the aromatics.
- Add the snakehead fish pieces to the pan, gently coating them with the sauce, and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until slightly browned.
- Sprinkle sugar over the fish, then pour in the water. Add salt and black pepper to taste, and bring to a simmer.
- Cover the pan and let it braise on low heat for 15-20 minutes until the fish is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding sliced chili for extra heat if desired.
- Serve the Cá Lóc Kho Tương hot, garnished with fresh coriander and chopped spring onions, alongside steamed jasmine rice.
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
- Total Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Water: 0.2 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, supporting muscle health and repair.
- Contains omega-3 fatty acids, beneficial for heart health.
Tags
VietnameseHealthySeafood Dish