How to Choose
Fresh Fish

Getting a fresh fish is the starting point to cooking a delicious dish that is not fishy and unappetizing.

So, how should you go about making your choice?

When buying whole fish, check that the eyes are bright, clear and slightly bulging as if it is still lively and looking at you.

The gill should be bright red in colour and free from slime, not dull or brown.

The body should be shiny, clean, moist and firm.

If you can press the fish, the flesh should bounce back immediately and not have an indentation on it.

If the scales are still on, they should be smooth and the fish should slip easily when you try to hold it.

The tail should feel firm.

The fish should also smell lightly, like the sea, and not fishy or smelly.

Choosing Fresh Fish Fillet

When buying fish fillet, look for flesh that has no dry edges.

The flesh should look shiny, moist and translucent with no darken patches.

It should also be firm and springy, but not soft or mushy with milky liquid on it.

Have a Regular Fish Monger

If you find a good fish monger, try to make friend with him and stick to buying fishes from him regularly so that you can get good fishes without having to pay too much.

Friendly fish mongers will help you choose better quality fishes or seafood, and even pass you some useful tips on how to choose and cook them.

My Mother-in-law has a regular fish monger who will recommend her good fishes that can be stored for a longer period of time with little deterioration in quality. They also give her very good prices for her long years of patronage.


Try our Delicious Chinese Fish Recipes

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