Steamed Sea Bass (Cunlu Style)

Cooking StepsHow to cook Steamed Sea Bass (Cunlu Style) step by step

Cooking Process

1. 
   Step 1 Detail

   First, use a spoon to scrape off any remaining fish scales and the slimy coating on the skin.

2. 
   Step 2 Detail

   Snip off all the fins. Cut the tail into a swallow-tail shape.

3. 
   Step 3 Detail

   Heat water in a pot. When it’s almost boiling, turn off the heat. Briefly dip the fish — front side in for 3 seconds, then the back side for 3 seconds. This must be extremely quick — you’re just flash-dipping, NOT cooking! This step is crucial for removing the fishy odor. After dipping, you’ll notice shiny silver residue in the pot — that’s the source of the fishiness.

4. 
   Step 4 Detail

   Score the fish: use a knife to cut open the belly further, slicing along the belly bones almost all the way to the tail.

5. 
   Step 5 Detail

   Inside the belly there’s a thin membrane (forgot to photograph). Snip it open with scissors to reveal bones with blood on them — this is very fishy. Rinse thoroughly under running water, scraping with your fingernail until the bones turn white. For the flesh along the bones, insert the tip of the knife and slice backward — don’t cut too deep, about 2/3 of the way through, without cutting through the skin. This can be tricky; the bones alongside are a bit hard, so if you don’t have much hand strength, ask for help.

6. 
   Step 6 Detail

   On the back side of the fish, score along both sides of the backbone — not too deep, about 1/3 of the fish’s thickness.

7. 
   Step 7 Detail

   Plate the fish. Place three chopsticks in a triangle underneath (my plate was too narrow so I used fruit forks) — this allows steam to circulate under the fish for even cooking. Rub a small pinch of salt and a small pinch of cornstarch evenly over the fish — the salt gives it a base seasoning, and the cornstarch makes it more tender after steaming (both optional). Prepare the sauce: 6 tbsp light soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tbsp water — mix well and set aside.

8. 
   Step 8 Detail

   Take a large scallion stalk about a hand’s length. Slice it open without cutting all the way through, then separate into 3 layers, fold, and julienne.

9. 
   Step 9 Detail

   Julienne 2 small scallions using a julienne tool. Cut 1 slice of ginger into fine threads — these are for the hot oil pour. (The original video also added green/red pepper strips and onion strips for better appearance and aroma, but for home cooking they’re optional.) Additionally, prepare 4 ginger slices and a section of scallion cut into pieces. Insert 2 ginger slices into the scoring cuts on the fish’s back, and place the rest of the ginger and scallion on top of the fish.

10. 
    Step 10 Detail

    Now steam the fish: bring water to a vigorous boil, place the fish on top, cover, and steam for 6 minutes. Do NOT open the lid during steaming! After 6 minutes, turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 2 more minutes. Then open and remove the ginger and scallion from the fish, and discard the steaming liquid from the plate. Place 2/3 of the julienned scallion and ginger on the fish. Heat cooking oil (about the amount you’d use for stir-frying, covering 2/3 of the wok bottom) until very hot, then pour it over the scallion threads. The scallions will wilt. Top with the remaining 1/3 of fresh scallion threads for a nicer presentation. Finally, pour the prepared sauce along the edge of the plate — not directly on the fish — since you’ll pick up the fish and dip it into the sauce as you eat.