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Crispy, golden fish fry with a punchy Bihari-style marinade of mustard oil and classic spices. A perfect appetizer or side dish that's incredibly flavorful and easy to make at home. Ready in under an hour, it's a true taste of Eastern India.
For 4 servings
Prepare the Fish
Create the Marinade
Marinate the Fish
Crispy, golden fish fry with a punchy Bihari-style marinade of mustard oil and classic spices. A perfect appetizer or side dish that's incredibly flavorful and easy to make at home. Ready in under an hour, it's a true taste of Eastern India.
This bihari recipe takes 35 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 254.84 calories per serving with 29.66g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for appetizer or side or dinner.
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Shallow Fry the Fish
Drain and Serve
For a lower-fat option, bake the marinated fish at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also cook it in an air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes.
This recipe works well with other firm-fleshed fish like Catla, Surmai (Kingfish), Pomfret, or even boneless fillets like Tilapia or Cod.
To increase the heat, add 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder or 1-2 finely chopped green chilies to the marinade.
Add 1 tablespoon of finely chopped mint leaves or 1 teaspoon of kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) to the marinade for a different flavor profile.
Fish provides high-quality, lean protein essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle growth, and maintaining overall body function.
Contains beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support heart health by reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels, as well as boosting brain function.
The inclusion of spices like ajwain (carom seeds) and ginger is traditional in Indian cooking to help improve digestion and prevent indigestion.
Spices like turmeric (containing curcumin) and ginger have potent natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help combat oxidative stress in the body.
One serving (approximately 160g) contains an estimated 260-300 calories. This can vary based on the type of fish and the amount of oil absorbed during frying.
It has both healthy and less healthy aspects. The fish itself is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, it is shallow-fried, which adds extra fat and calories. To make it healthier, you can bake or air-fry it.
Traditionally, freshwater fish like Rohu or Catla are used. However, any firm-fleshed fish works well. You can use Surmai (Kingfish), Pomfret, or even boneless fillets like Tilapia or Cod.
This usually happens for three reasons: 1) The fish was not patted completely dry before marinating. 2) The oil was not hot enough when you added the fish. 3) The pan was overcrowded, which lowered the oil temperature. Always fry in batches for the best results.
Yes, you can marinate the fish and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours. Fry it just before serving to ensure it is hot and crispy.
It's a versatile dish. Serve it as an appetizer with green chutney and onion rings, or as a side dish with a simple meal of dal, rice, and salad.
This recipe goes great with these complete meals
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