Fried fish

Fried fish and chips with lemon, ketchup, and tartar sauce as served in San Diego.

Pritong Isda (Fried Fish)

Malwani fish fry

Fry fish

Fried fish refers to any fish or shellfish that has been prepared by frying. Typically, the fish is coated in batter, flour, or seasoned with herbs and spices prior to being fried.

Preparation

The fish can be either deep fried or pan fried depending on the recipe and regional variations. The choice of fish, type of batter, and accompaniments often vary based on regional and cultural preferences.

Fish frying around the world

Frying fish is a culinary practice appreciated in various parts of the globe, making fried fish a crucial dish in numerous cuisines.

European Traditions

• In Britain, the iconic fish and chips dish, inspired by pescado frito, is a beloved take-out meal.
• France offers the classic Sole meunière, a delicately fried fish dish with butter and lemon.

North America

• In the United States, fishcakes made of cod and other white fish varieties can be found in the frozen aisles of grocery stores. Fast food establishments like McDonald's offer items such as the Filet-O-Fish.
• Chain restaurants such as Long John Silver's, Skipper's, Captain D's, and Arthur Treacher's have fried fish as a primary menu item.
• Particularly in the South, community fish fries are prevalent social events. These can be affiliated with religious institutions, civic groups, or function as fundraisers.
• The U.S. regions of the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic frequently hold community fish fries in church venues or outdoor settings, especially during Lent.
• The "shore lunch" in the northern regions of the U.S. and Canada is an age-old tradition where outdoor enthusiasts freshly fry their catch on the very shores of the body of water where the fish was procured.

Other Notable Traditions

• Catfish, often farm-raised, is a favorite choice for frying in various parts of the world.

Cultural Significance

The act of frying fish goes beyond mere culinary enjoyment in many societies. For some, it holds religious significance, especially during periods like Lent where fish becomes a primary source of protein. For others, community fish fries are events that foster community bonding, preserving a sense of tradition and unity.

Fried fish dishes from around the world

Name	Image	Type	Description
Pescado frito			An Andalusian dish made by coating the fish (blue or white fish) in flour and deep frying in olive oil. It's seasoned with only salt. Introduced to England in the 17th Century by Spanish Jews, it laid the groundwork for Fish and chips.
Fish and chips			A renowned dish from the UK, it comprises battered, deep-fried fish served with chips. Popular as take-away food in numerous countries.
Fishcake			Comprising filleted fish and potato, sometimes coated in breadcrumbs or batter, and fried. Often found in British fish and chip shops, they bear resemblance to croquettes.
Satsuma age			A specialty from Kagoshima, Japan. This deep-fried fishcake mixes Surimi with flour, which solidifies when fried. Also known as chikiagi in Okinawa.
Fish fry			A dish featuring battered or breaded fried fish, usually served with french fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies, lemon slices, tartar sauce, malt vinegar, and dessert.
Fish finger			A processed delight made from whitefishes like cod, haddock, or pollock, either battered or breaded. Termed fish sticks in North America.
Fried prawn			A delicacy in Japan, often featured in bento boxes.
Fried shrimp			Shrimp coated in batter and deep-fried, typically in vegetable oil.
Tempura			Originating from Japan, this dish involves seafood or vegetables that are battered and deep fried.
Whitebait fritter			A delicacy made from the tender fry of fish, known as Whitebait. Consumed wholly, it is sometimes combined with eggs and cooked like an omelette, especially in New Zealand.
Moi moi			A popular dish in Nigeria, made from blended peeled black-eyed beans, peppers, and spices. It is then folded in leaves or aluminum foils and steamed. Often served with fried fish on top.
Tilapia in Tausi sauce			A beloved Filipino dish. Tilapia fillets are fried to a crisp and then cooked in a savory black bean (tausi) sauce. Served hot with rice.

See Also

• Fish and chips
• Pescado frito
• Sole meunière
• Cuisine of the Southern United States