How to Make Authentic Mekong Delta Sour Fish Soup

Sour fish soup with basa fish is a popular dish in many Vietnamese families, especially during hot summer days. With its mildly sour flavor combined with the rich taste of basa fish, this soup is not only delicious but also effectively cools you down. Let’s learn how to cook a delicious and authentic sour basa fish soup through this article.

Ingredients Needed

To cook sour basa fish soup for 4 people, you will need the following ingredients:

• Basa fish: 500g
• Tomatoes: 2
• Pineapple: ½ fruit
• Taro stem: 2 stalks
• Bean sprouts: 100g
• Shallots: 2
• Fresh chili: 2
• Okra: 50g
• Tamarind: 50g
• Herbs: Vietnamese coriander, rice paddy herb
• Seasonings: Sugar, seasoning powder, salt, fish sauce, cooking oil

Ingredients for sour basa fish soup
Fresh ingredients are key to the flavor of sour basa fish soup.

Detailed Instructions for Cooking Sour Basa Fish Soup

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Clean the basa fish and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Marinate the fish with a bit of pepper, fish sauce, and seasoning powder for about 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Peel the pineapple, remove the eyes, and slice it thinly. Peel the taro stem, slice it diagonally, and soak it in diluted saltwater to remove the sap. Rinse the tomatoes and cut them into wedges. Rinse the okra and slice it diagonally.
• Rinse the herbs like Vietnamese coriander and rice paddy herb, and chop them finely. Soak the tamarind in boiling water, strain to get the juice, and discard the seeds.

Step 2: Lightly Fry the Basa Fish

• Heat a pan over the stove and add a little cooking oil. When the oil is hot, add the marinated basa fish and lightly fry until both sides are golden.
• Lightly frying the fish helps to remove the fishy smell and keeps the fish firm when cooking the soup.

Step 3: Cook the Sour Soup

• Sauté minced shallots in a pot until fragrant, then add the tomatoes and stir-fry until soft.
• Add 1 liter of water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add the fried basa fish and cook for 15 minutes.
• Continue by adding the tamarind juice, pineapple, okra, and taro stem to the pot, and cook for another 3 minutes. Finally, season with sugar, salt, and seasoning powder to taste.
• Turn off the heat, add the bean sprouts and herbs, and gently stir to keep the vegetables crisp.

Step 4: Complete and Enjoy

• Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with a few slices of fresh chili for added visual appeal.
• The sour basa fish soup should have a clear broth with a harmonious sweet and sour taste, and the fish should be rich and not fishy.

Finished sour basa fish soup
The finished sour basa fish soup is appetizing with its vibrant colors and rich flavors.

Conclusion

With the simple recipe above, you have successfully made a delicious and authentic Mekong Delta sour basa fish soup. This is an ideal dish to cool down on hot days or to add to your family’s meal plan. You can enjoy the sour basa fish soup with white rice or fresh vermicelli to enhance the flavor.

Wishing you success and enjoyable meals with your family!

Source: Bách Hóa Xanh