Steamed Fish with Ginger
Whole fish steamed with ginger and a hot soy drizzle.
Ingredients
- 1 Whole white fish
- 1 Ginger
- 3 tbsp Light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 3 tbsp Neutral oil
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 4 Scallions (optional)
Method
- Score the fish on both sides; julienne the ginger and scallions, keeping a little of each aside for the topping.
- Steam the fish with some of the ginger and the wine in a covered steamer until just cooked through and the flesh flakes.
- Top the fish with the reserved fresh ginger and scallion, pour over the soy mixed with the sugar, then pour over the sizzling-hot oil to crackle.
- Serve at once with rice.
Tap “Start cooking” for live timers that flag what to get ahead on while something simmers.
About Steamed Fish with Ginger
Steamed whole fish with ginger is a centerpiece of Cantonese cooking and a fixture at celebratory tables, where serving the fish intact symbolizes abundance and wholeness. The technique is built on restraint: a fresh fish, scored so it cooks evenly, is steamed with ginger and a splash of Shaoxing wine only until the flesh turns opaque and flakes cleanly from the bone. Overcooking is the one real enemy here, so the fish comes off the heat the moment it's done, leaving the meat sweet, tender, and clean-tasting.
The finishing move is what makes the dish sing. The steamed fish is topped with fresh julienned ginger and scallion, doused in a sweetened soy mixture, and then hit with a spoonful of smoking-hot oil that crackles over the aromatics and releases their fragrance in a burst. That sizzle blooms the raw ginger and scallion into something mellow and perfumed, while the soy pools into a light sauce beneath. It's a naturally lean, high-protein main that eats light yet feels special, and it's meant to be served at once with steamed rice to soak up every drop.
Steamed Fish with Ginger: frequently asked questions
How many calories are in Steamed Fish with Ginger?
A serving has about 234 calories — 22.9g protein, 5.1g carbs, 13.4g fat, 1g fiber. Figures are estimated from the ingredient amounts and will shift with your portions and brands.
Is Steamed Fish with Ginger gluten-free?
As written, no — it contains Light soy sauce. You'd need a certified gluten-free swap for that ingredient to make it gluten-free.
How long does Steamed Fish with Ginger take to make?
About 25 minutes start to finish, but only around 12 of those are hands-on — the rest is cooking time. In the Homecooked app the timers and parallel steps are sequenced for you so the hands-on part feels even shorter.
Do I need every ingredient to make Steamed Fish with Ginger?
The core ingredients are essential, but you can leave out scallions — they're optional and mainly there for extra flavor or finish.
How many servings does Steamed Fish with Ginger make?
This recipe makes 4 servings. In the app you can scale it up or down and the ingredient amounts adjust automatically.