• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mikha Eats
  • Recipe Index
  • Fall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • TikTok
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Fall
  • About
  • Resources
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Fall
    • About
    • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Wooden chopsticks adding salmon sushi bake to seaweed chip with avocado.
      Salmon Sushi Bake
    • White plate with tuna sushi bake on seaweed chips with cucumber slices.
      Tuna Sushi Bake
    • A silver spoon scooping pork from a pot of sinigang na baboy on a white table with vegetables.
      Sinigang na Baboy (Filipino Pork Sinigang Recipe)
    • White plate of yaki onigiri with chopsticks on a white table.
      Easy Yaki Onigiri (Japanese Grilled Rice Balls)
    • Salmon onigiri rolled in furikake on a white & brown rimmed plate.
      Easy Salmon Onigiri (Japanese Salmon Rice Balls)
    • White rectangle plate with three tuna onigiri with black sesame seeds on a white table.
      Easy Spicy Tuna Onigiri (Japanese Tuna Rice Balls)
    • Photo collage of entrees and vegetable dishes to serve with fried rice.
      What to Serve with Fried Rice - 32 Top Cheap & Easy Ideas!
    • Adobo fried rice omelette on a white plate with silver spoon & fork on woven placemat.
      Adobo Fried Rice Omelette
    • Filipino eggplant omelet on a banana leaf plate with rice, mango, and banana ketchup.
      Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelette)
    • White plate of adobo fried rice with a silver spoon and woven placemat.
      Adobo Fried Rice
    • White bowl of rice with char siu chicken slices and bok choy on a white table.
      Char Siu Chicken
    • White bowl of rice with char siu pork slices and bok choy on a white table.
      Char Siu Pork
    Home » Recipes » 30-Minutes or Less

    Chinese Steamed Fish

    Published: Aug 19, 2021 · Modified: Oct 2, 2023 by Mikha S. · This post may contain affiliate links

    Sharing is caring!

    6 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • WhatsApp
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Round plate with steamed fish in sauce and topped with chilies and green onions.

    This is going to be the easiest fish recipe you’ve ever made! Yep, I went there. I have a few salmon recipes on my blog (all of which are easy btw!), but there’s something special about this Chinese steamed fish recipe. It’s light, delicate, and still SO satisfying… Even my skeptical husband ended up finishing the entire thing to himself!

    Serve it up with super easy Asian Garlic Noodles or Spicy Peanut Sauce Noodles done in under 15 minutes! If you have the extra time & want to feast, you can serve it with SUPER juicy & tender Char Siu Pork or Char Siu Chicken!

    Best Type of Fish to Steam

    For this light and healthy fish recipe, we’re using fish fillets. While you can steam whole fish, I generally prefer fillets because they’re quicker to cook and prep!

    Save This Recipe - Optin Form

    WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

    Enter your email below & save it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get key tips & recipes to make cooking easier every week!

    When deciding which kind of fish to choose, I highly recommend avoiding oily fish (such as mackerel, trout, or salmon) and stick with white fish, such as:

    • Cod
    • Flounder
    • Halibut
    • Haddock
    • Sea bass
    • Snapper
    • Tilapia

    Cooking Time for This Healthy Fish Recipe

    The steaming time will vary depending on the type of fish and the thickness of the fillet. I’ll usually cook the fillet for about 10 minutes, then check its doneness from there. 

    You don’t want to cook it for too long, otherwise, you’ll end up with a tough fillet. You’ll know the fish is done when you can easily flake the fish using a fork or dull butter knife.

    Round plate with steamed fish in sauce and topped with chilies and green onions.

    If You Don’t Have a Steamer…

    Although I enjoy cooking, steaming food is a method I don’t do often. Because of this, I don’t own a steamer, but that’s never stopped me from steaming delicious food!

    If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry, I got you covered with a makeshift steamer hack. All you need are 3 kitchen tools you probably already have: a large pan with a lid, heat-proof plate, and wire rack or aluminum foil molded into a ring shape. 

    All you have to do is place the wire rack or aluminum foil ring at the bottom of the pan. Then, lay the heat-proof plate on top with the fish. Carefully, pour water into the pan until it’s just below the plate. Avoid getting any water on the plate or fish. 

    Cover it up with a lid and voila! You’re ready to steam away!

    Delicious Sides to Enjoy with Your Chinese Steamed Fish

    • Spinach Garlic Stir-Fry (SUPER Quick & Easy!)
    • Garlic Edamame Recipe (5 Minutes Only!)
    • Miso Roasted Cauliflower (Easy & Healthy!)
    • 10-Minute Chili Garlic Noodles (Viral Favorite!)
    • Bok Choy in Garlic Sauce (Restaurant-Quality Made Easy!)

    Let's Get Cooking!

    Subscribe to my Goody-Packed Newsletters stuffed with time-saving tips, game-changing cooking tools, & first access to new recipes that makes life easier & more delicious! Get them straight to your inbox so you never go hangry 😉

    For drool-worthy step-by-step videos, follow along @MikhaEats on Instagram & Tiktok - and don't forget to tag @MikhaEats for a chance to be featured!

    A white plate of steamed fish topped with green onions & dried chilies.

    Chinese Steamed Fish

    Author: Mikha S.
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
    This is the EASIEST fish recipe you'll EVER make! Steamed fish may sound boring but this recipe proves that theory wrong! It's boldly flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Even non-believers will be asking for seconds!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
    Total Time: 15 minutes mins
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 196 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Sauce

    • ½ tablespoon water
    • 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine
    • ½ teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Ingredients

    • 1 10- oz tilapia fillet* or halibut or sea bass
    • 1 garlic clove thinly sliced
    • 2 inches ginger thinly julienned
    • 3 dried chilies cut in 1-inch slices
    • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
    • 1 green onion thinly julienned

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients and stir until salt and sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
    • Place tilapia fillet on a heat-proof plate, then place in a steamer. If you don’t have a steamer, you can use a large pan or wok and place the plate of fish on a wire rack or aluminum foil shaped into a ring. Carefully, pour enough water into the pan so it’s just below the plate, avoiding getting water onto the plate. Steam for 7 - 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. It’s better to check earlier and cook a little longer so the fish doesn’t turn tough. You’ll know it’s done when the fish easily flakes using a fork or butter knife. Once the fish is cooked, drain any excess liquid from the plate and transfer to a serving plate.
    • Heat a small pan on medium-low heat. Add about a tablespoon of oil then saute garlic, ginger, and dried chilies for a few seconds, or until fragrant.
    • Pour in the soy sauce along the rim of the pan to create smokey charr, then add the sauce mixture, stir, and cook for a few seconds.
    • Pour the sauce on top of the fish and garnish with green onions on top. Serve immediately with freshly steamed rice, if desired. Enjoy!
    Last Step: Please tap to leave a rating & comment sharing how you liked the recipe! This helps us create high-quality content for you & a food-loving community where we can all learn from each other 🙂

    Notes

    • Fish: If you don't like tilapia or it's not available, other white flakey fish fillets would work. You'll just want to avoid oily fishes, such as salmon or trout. See the "Best Types of Fish to Steam" section above for a list of alternatives!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 5ozCalories: 196kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 34gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 1238mgPotassium: 593mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 259IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg

    Exact calculations may vary. For the most accurate nutritional information, use your preferred nutrition calculator, actual ingredients, and quantities used for the recipe. Please consult with your physician or registered dietitian if more precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

    Mikha using chopsticks to eat a bowl of noodles.

    HEY, I'M MIKHA!

    ...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!

    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • Pinterest

    More About Me →

    Fresh Hot Bites!

    • Chicken Adobo in a black pan topped with green onions and black peppercorns.
      Adobong Manok | Easy Chicken Adobo Recipe
    • Black pan full of garlic noodles topped with grated cheese and green onions.
      Best Asian Garlic Noodles Recipe
    • White bowl and silver spoon with rice and tomato egg stir-fry topped with green onions.
      Easy Chinese Egg Tomato Stir Fry Recipe
    • Panful of Rabokki with ramen noodles, rice cakes, and hard-boiled eggs.
      Rabokki | Tteokbokki Ramen

    ⭐ Comments

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Mikha eating spicy noodles from a bowl.

    HEY FRIEND, I'M MIKHA!

    ...A fellow food lover who believes anyone can whip up a delicious meal - no matter your skill level! These quick & easy Asian recipes will help you transform simple ingredients into a drool-worthy meal for you & the people you love most - without spending all day in the kitchen.

    Now come on - Grab a seat & let's eat!

    More About Me →

    Follow for More
    Drool-Worthy Content!

    YouTube
    Pinterest
    TikTok
    Instagram

    Fall Faves

    • Chopsticks pickup up japchae.
      Korean Vegetarian (Veggie) Japchae
    • Chicken Adobo in a black pan topped with green onions and black peppercorns.
      Adobong Manok | Easy Chicken Adobo Recipe
    • Filipino eggplant omelet on a banana leaf plate with rice, mango, and banana ketchup.
      Tortang Talong (Filipino Eggplant Omelette)
    • White plate of adobo fried rice with a silver spoon and woven placemat.
      Adobo Fried Rice
    • White bowl of rice with char siu chicken slices and bok choy on a white table.
      Char Siu Chicken
    • Ginitaang Laing with rice and chili vinegar.
      Ginataang Laing Recipe

    Popular Recipes

    • Eggplant tofu stir-fry topped with sesame seeds & green onions in a white bowl.
      Stir Fry Eggplant Tofu
    • Square plate of miso mushrooms garnished with chopped chives.
      Miso Mushrooms (with Soy Sauce)
    • Chopsticks holding a piece of spicy garlic edamame.
      Spicy Edamame with Garlic
    • Holding two halves of Japanese egg salad sandwiches with chives sprinkled on top.
      Japanese Egg Salad Sandwich (Tamago Sando)
    • Baking pan of sushi bake with green onions and nori.
      Immitation Crab Sushi Bake
    • Close-up of ladle of chicken sinigang above the pot.
      Sinigang Na Manok (with Chicken)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Quick Links

    Explore Recipes

    Shop Kitchen Essentials

    About Mikha

    Privacy Policy

    Accessibility Statement

    Keep in Touch!

    Get in Touch!

    Subscribe

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    Tiktok

    Mikha Eats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

    Copyright © 2022 MIKHA EATS