Chả cá chiên
Chả cá chiên is a delightful Vietnamese appetizer featuring crispy fried fish cakes seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices. This dish is not only flavorful but also showcases the vibrant culinary traditions of Vietnam.

30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Vietnamese
220 kcal
Ingredients
- White fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia) - 200 grams
- Rice flour - 30 grams
- Cornstarch - 20 grams
- Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
- Shallots - 1 small, finely chopped
- Fresh dill - 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Fish sauce - 1 tablespoon
- Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt - 1/4 teaspoon
- Vegetable oil - for frying
- Lettuce leaves - for serving
- Lime wedges - for serving
- Chili sauce - for dipping
Steps
- In a mixing bowl, combine the white fish fillets, minced garlic, chopped shallots, dill, fish sauce, black pepper, and salt. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
- After marination, use a food processor to blend the mixture until it forms a smooth paste.
- Transfer the fish paste to a bowl and gradually mix in the rice flour and cornstarch until fully incorporated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, take a spoonful of the fish mixture and shape it into small patties.
- Fry the patties in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the fried fish cakes from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
- Serve the chả cá chiên warm on a plate with lettuce leaves, lime wedges, and chili sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Total Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Water: 0.2 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, supporting muscle health and repair.
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, promoting heart health.
Tags
VietnameseHealthyAppetizer