Crispy Sweet & Sour Fish: Easy Chinese Recipe

Updated at: 01/06/2025

Tang Cui Yu (糖醋魚), or Sweet and Sour Fish, is a beloved classic of Chinese cuisine, renowned for its vibrant color, tantalizing aroma, and perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavors. This iconic dish features crispy-fried fish fillets coated in a glossy, rich sauce that's both tangy and subtly sweet. The perfect harmony of textures – the delicate flakiness of the fish against the satisfyingly sticky sauce – makes it a true culinary delight, a dish guaranteed to impress family and friends. It's surprisingly easy to master, despite its elegant presentation.

This recipe guides you through each step of creating this spectacular dish, ensuring a consistently successful result every time. From preparing the fish for optimal crispiness to achieving the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory in the sauce, we'll cover every detail. Ready to dive into the delicious world of Tang Cui Yu? Let's get started with the step-by-step instructions below!

Tools Needed

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare and Marinate the Fish

  • Cut off fish fins and make diagonal slits about two fingers apart, then criss-cross the cuts to create a diamond pattern.
  • Mix water, salt, white parts of spring onions, and ginger. Squeeze to extract juices.
  • Marinate fish for 10 minutes, coating both sides with the marinade.
  • Remove marinade ingredients, coat fish liberally with corn flour, patting it down. Let it rest for one minute, then repeat on the other side.
Cut off fish fins and make diagonal slits about two fingers apart, then criss-cross the cuts to create a diamond pattern.Prepare marinade: Mix water, salt, white parts of spring onions, and ginger. Squeeze to extract juices.Marinate fish for 10 minutes, coating both sides with the marinade.Remove marinade ingredients, coat fish liberally with corn flour, patting it down. Let it rest for one minute, then repeat on the other side.
Prepare and Marinate the Fish

Step 2. Fry the Fish to Perfection

  • Heat oil in wok until a bamboo chopstick inserted bubbles vigorously. Shallow fry the fish for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, being careful not to move it initially to allow crust formation. Gently adjust as needed.
  • Remove fish from oil. Set aside.
Heat oil in wok until a bamboo chopstick inserted bubbles vigorously. Shallow fry the fish for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, being careful not to move it initially to allow crust formation. Gently adjust as needed.Remove fish from oil. Set aside.
Fry the Fish to Perfection

Step 3. Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • In the same wok, remove most of the oil, leaving about 2 tbsp. Add chopped ginger and garlic, stir-fry briefly until fragrant.
  • Add tomato sauce, water, sugar, chopped tomatoes, pineapple, and cucumber. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Add salt.
  • Add white vinegar; adjust sweetness/tanginess to taste. Thicken with cornstarch solution until desired consistency is reached.
In the same wok, remove most of the oil, leaving about 2 tbsp. Add chopped ginger and garlic, stir-fry briefly until fragrant.Add tomato sauce, water, sugar, chopped tomatoes, pineapple, and cucumber. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Add salt.Add white vinegar; adjust sweetness/tanginess to taste. Thicken with cornstarch solution until desired consistency is reached.
Make the Sweet and Sour Sauce

Step 4. Combine and Serve

  • Pour sauce over the fried fish.
Pour sauce over the fried fish.
Combine and Serve

Read more: Chikuwa Isobeage Recipe: Crispy Fish Cake Tempura

Tips

  • Use any type of fish you prefer.
  • If you don't have corn flour, sweet potato or potato flour can be used.
  • The corn flour helps to create a crispy exterior and prevents the fish from drying out.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar to your preferred level of sweetness and tanginess.

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of fish?

Yes! Firm, white-fleshed fish like cod, tilapia, or snapper work well. Avoid overly oily fish.

2. How can I make sure my fish is crispy?

Pat the fish very dry with paper towels before frying. Don't overcrowd the pan, and ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the fish.


This Crispy Sweet and Sour Fish recipe is a testament to how simple yet rewarding authentic Chinese cooking can be. With a little practice, you'll be wowing your friends and family with this flavorful dish. Now go forth and enjoy the fruits of your culinary labor!