Thai Fish Cakes are a popular appetizer made from a blend of fish paste, aromatic spices, and red curry paste, deep-fried to golden perfection. Served with a tangy cucumber salad or sweet chili dipping sauce, these cakes are packed with bold Thai flavors.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 400g white fish fillets (e.g., cod or tilapia)
- 2 tablespoons red curry paste
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup green beans, finely chopped
- 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
For Cucumber Dipping Sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1/4 cup cucumber, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon red chili, finely chopped
Preparation
- Make fish mixture:
- Place fish fillets, red curry paste, egg, fish sauce, and sugar in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Transfer to a bowl and fold in chopped green beans and kaffir lime leaves.
- Shape fish cakes:
- Wet your hands and form the mixture into small patties (about 2-3 inches wide).
- Fry fish cakes:
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the fish cakes in batches until golden and cooked through, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Make dipping sauce:
- Combine rice vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce in a small bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add cucumber and red chili.
- Serve:
- Arrange fish cakes on a plate, garnish with cilantro and chili slices, and serve with the cucumber dipping sauce or sweet chili sauce.
Preparation Time
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
Serves
- 2-3 people
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
Notes
- Vegetarian option: Substitute fish with firm tofu and use vegetarian red curry paste.
- Adjust spice level: Add more or less curry paste to taste.
- Make ahead: Shape patties in advance and refrigerate for up to 1 day before frying.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet.
Enjoy these flavorful and crispy Thai Fish Cakes for a perfect appetizer or snack!