Cá Kho Tộ Recipe

Cá kho tộ is a simple yet delicious Vietnamese delight that features well-marinated fish cooked to perfection in a caramelized sweet and savory sauce.

If you’re looking for a dish that’s sure to impress any fish lovers, cá kho tộ is a must-try. And in this post, I’ll let you in on a detailed and easy recipe to create this crazy-delicious dish at home. So, why not give it a try and elevate your daily meal with it?

Discover Cá Kho Tộ – A Traditional Vietnamese Dish

Cá kho tộ uses kho, a traditional Vietnamese cooking method that’s quite similar to braising or stewing. In this technique, the locals will simmer a protein source, which is fish in this recipe, over low heat in a savory sauce made from various condiments and spices.

Plus, traditionally, Vietnamese people cook this dish in a clay pot (tộ), hence its name. But you can make it using regular pots as well if you can’t buy a clay pot.

During this process, the sauce will gradually infuse the fish, resulting in a dish with a very rich flavor and aroma. Besides fish, kho is a suitable method to cook pork, chicken in gà kho (caramelized chicken), or shrimp.

While the protein sources are usually the main highlights of “kho” recipes, some dishes will put emphasis on the sauce instead. For instance, mắm kho quẹt (caramelized fish sauce) is a flavor-packed dipping sauce that the Vietnamese love to enjoy with boiled veggies.

Kitchen Equipement to Make Cá Kho Tộ

The first step to making yummy Vietnamese caramelized and braised fish is gathering the right tools as below.

Other Useful Tools

Ingredients of Cá Kho Tộ

The next step is buying the right ingredients to cook cá kho tộ. All you need are some fish filets, pork, and a few kitchen staples!

Cá Kho Tộ’s Cooking Steps

Let’s turn up the heat and cook this delectable Vietnamese caramelized and braised fish recipe!

Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients

Use a knife or scissors, pierce the coconut eye on top and drain out about 8.5 ounces of coconut water. You can also use canned coconut water to save time.

Separate the pork fat and meat. Then, cut them into small, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Marinate The Fish

Cut the fish filets into large and thick chunks.

Season the fish with salt, caramel sauce, soup powder, oyster sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and ground pepper. Mix well and marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3: Make The Pork Cracklings

Add the chopped pork fat to a heated pan. Stir them until they turn golden brown and set aside. The fat will release its oil during cooking, so you don’t need to add oil to the pan.

Step 4: Stir-Fry The Meat

Add the garlic and shallots to the same pan and fry them until fragrant. Next, add the ginger and a few slices of chili. Stir well for 1 to 2 minutes or until aromatic.

Then, add the pork pieces and stir-fry them until cooked. If you want, you can also sear the meat a little.

Step 5: Cook The Fish

Once the fish filets are well-marinated, add them to the pan, placing them over the pork.

Then, pour in the coconut water. Cook the fish over low heat for 40 to 45 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Use a spoon to scoop the sauce and pour it on the fish. Avoid flipping the fish filets during cooking, as you might cause them to break apart.

After about 40 minutes, add the pork cracklings and continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.

Step 6: Present And Serve

Sprinkle some scallions and ground pepper on top to add more flavor to the dish. Enjoy this dish with steamed rice and boiled veggies, such as gourd, okra, broccoli, etc.

Tips for Cooking and Serving Cá Kho Tộ

While the directions above have guaranteed you a tasty dish for dinner, the following tips will help you take your seafood to the next level!

Cá Kho Tộ – A Perfect Vietnamese Dish for Fish Lovers

Cá kho tộ is a top-notch choice whenever you crave a delicious Vietnamese-style dish for dinner. With fantastic flavor and aroma, it’s no wonder that this recipe has become a staple in Vietnamese households. Serve it over a bed of hot steamed rice and experience delightful spoonful after spoonful. 

After today’s article, I’m sure that you’ve found a new go-to seafood dish. Drop a comment to let me know whether this recipe has impressed your loved ones. In addition, it would be a big help if you could give the post a high rating and share it with others. Thank you, and happy cooking!