Hong Kong Style Sweet and Sour Fish
A classic Cantonese dish featuring crispy fried fish fillets coated in a vibrant, tangy, and sweet sauce, often with colorful bell peppers and onions.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g White fish fillets(such as cod, snapper, or basa, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp White pepper
- 6 tbsp Cornstarch(divided)
- 2 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 1 large Egg white
- 2-3 tbsp Water(for batter)
- for frying Vegetable oil
- 1/2 Onion(cut into chunks)
- 1/2 Bell pepper(red or green, cut into chunks)
- 1/2 cup Pineapple chunks(canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup Ketchup
- 1/4 cup White vinegar
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/4 cup Water(for sauce)
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch(mixed with 2 tbsp water for thickening sauce)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the fish pieces dry with paper towels. Season with salt and white pepper.
- 2
In a bowl, combine 4 tbsp cornstarch, all-purpose flour, and egg white. Gradually add 2-3 tbsp water to form a smooth batter. Coat the fish pieces evenly with the batter.
- 3
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or deep pan over medium-high heat. Fry the battered fish in batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- 4
In a separate bowl, whisk together ketchup, white vinegar, sugar, and 1/4 cup water for the sauce.
- 5
In the same wok (with oil drained), sauté the onion and bell pepper chunks for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened. Add pineapple chunks and stir-fry for another minute.
- 6
Pour the sweet and sour sauce mixture into the wok. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until glossy.
- 7
Gently add the fried fish pieces to the sauce and toss carefully to coat. Serve immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For extra crispy fish, fry the battered pieces twice: first until lightly golden, then after a short rest, fry again until deep golden brown.
- ✓Adjust the sugar and vinegar ratio to your preference for sweetness and tanginess.
- ✓Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying to achieve a crispy coating that doesn't absorb too much oil.
🔄 Variations
- Add other vegetables like peas, carrots, or water chestnuts.
- Use chicken or pork instead of fish for a different sweet and sour main dish.