Chinese Pomfret / 斗鲳 / Bawal Cepak

Chinese Pomfret is the most sought after fish in, not only in the Pomfret family, but also Pontian Town in general due to its delicate white flesh with subtle “non-fishy” flavor. Rightly so for it has the most wonderful soft texture and an inherent sweet taste. It is undoubtedly the tastiest of all Pomfrets. Unlike white pomfret, the flesh does not breaks up easily on the plate, yet it still maintains its flaky textures. Majority of the Chinese believe that it will bring good luck to the family and business, which is the reason why it is often the fish served during the reunion dinner on Chinese New Year Eve.

3 Reasons To Eat Chinese Pomfret

Chinese Pomfret are loaded with health benefits too, which is probably why they have been a popular choice of fish for ages in the Asian region.

1. 1. They are rich in Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids that help reduce cholesterol and heart diseases. They also provide us with Vitamins B3, B12 & D, iron and magnesium.
   2. They are known to have only negligible levels of mercury too.
   3. BECAUSE IT’S DELIIICIOUSSS

The next time you buy Pomfret, we hope you would be able to tell the Pontian’s Chinese Pomfret from others and enjoy the taste whist knowing the immense health benefits it has to offer.

Checkout our locally caught Black Pomfret & White Pomfret too.

Pampus chinensis
Mandarin: 斗鲳 (Dòu chāng)
also known as: 斗底
Malay: Ikan Bawal Tambak
Teochew/Hokkien: Dao Chior

How To Make: Teochew Style Steam Pomfret

Ingredients

• 1 silver pomfret or Chinese pomfret
• 2 salted plums – remove seed and flesh mashed
• 20 g salted mustard green (kiam chye) – soaked in hot water for about 10 minutes and sliced finely
• 30g young ginger – julienned
• a few slices of ginger – cut thickly
• 2 dried shiitake mushrooms – soaked till soften, stems removed and sliced finely
• 1 ripe small tomato – cut into small wedges
• ¼ block of tofu – cubed
• 7 tbsp of water (for the broth)
• 1 tbsp of shallot oil
• Handful of parsley leaves
• Spring onions – cut into fine strips
• 1 cili padi (bird’s eye chilli) – sliced

Steps

1. Clean fish by doing a thorough removal of its entrails. (Best to have your local fishmonger do it for you). Rinse the fish. Make 2 slits on each side of the fish and pat dry.
2. Use a little salt and rub it all over the fish and its cavity. Rub half of the mashed salted plums into the cavity of the fish and put in the slices of ginger. Rub the remaining mashed salted plums onto the body of the fish.
3. Line a plate with some of the sliced ginger and shiitake mushrooms and put the fish on top of them. Add in water and the rest of the ingredients (except garnishing) on top of the fish and sides of the plate.
4. Fill a wok one quarter full with water. Place a steaming rack over the water and make sure it is above the water level. Bring water to a vigorous boil. Once the water boils, place the plate of fish in and steam on high heat till completely cooked for 10 minutes.
5. While waiting for the fish to be ready, heat up shallot oil till very hot. Once the fish is ready, remove from the wok. Scatter spring onions and bird’s eye chilli on and around the fish and drizzle with hot shallot oil. Finally, garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

Also Try: Super Tasty Pomfret

Sources:

Teochew Steamed Fish