These fried fish fingers are how you get them on the streets of Pakistan. Light and crispy from the outside, flavourful and spicy from the inside this Lahori Fried Fish makes an incredibly delicious appetizer.
What Is Lahori Fried Fish
They are deep-fried, crispy fish fingers sold in the streets of Lahore but now widely available all over Pakistan. Strips of fish are coated in a batter made of gram flour and some authentic South Asian spices and then deep-fried in hot oil till crunchy.
How To Serve Lahori Fried Fish
As soon as this fish is out of the oil, it is sprinkled with chaat masala (a tangy South Asian spice mix) to spruce it up. The fish fingers can be served alongside any kind of Pakistani chutney or even tartar sauce. But I highly recommend pairing it with my Green Tamarind Chutney. And don't forget to make some crispy Masala Fries on the side for the ultimate street food experience.
Usually Lahori Fried Fish is enjoyed as an appetizer but you can also have it as a main course by combining it with some Pakistani Roghni Naan (Fluffy Flatbread) and adding the bold and tangy Achari Chicken on the side.
Which Fish To Use
Any white boneless fish will work for this recipe. I live in Germany and use the Pangasius found here. Other great choices are: tilapia, catfish, cod, pollack, basa.
Is It Necessary To Double Fry The Fish
Double-frying makes the fish fingers extra crispy! If you want to keep it light, you can fry once till they are fully cooked or even shallow fry.
Watch How To Make It
Other Pakistani Street Food You Might Like
- Street Style Bun Kabab
- Instant Jalebi
- Crispy Pakoras (Vegetable Fritters)
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Lahori Fried Fish
Ingredients
- 500 g white fish fillets boneless and cut in 2 cm strips
- chaat masala for sprinkling
- vegetable oil for frying
BATTER
- ½ cup gram flour
- ¼ cup cornflour
- 2 tablespoon rice flour
- 3 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds roasted and crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
- a pinch orange food colour optional
- water as required
Instructions
- Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel.
- In a big bowl, mix together all the batter ingredients with a whisk. Make a smooth, thick batter with water.
- To the bowl add the fish and coat it well with the batter. Keep aside for 15 minutes. Don't leave the fish for too long or it will get way too soft.
- Heat oil for deep frying in a big pot. On medium heat, drop the fish fingers in batches. Don't overcrowd. Flip over so that they are equally golden on both sides. When they are half-way cooked and the coating has stuck to the fish, remove to a paper towel.
- Let cool for 15-20 mins while you fry the remaining batch.
- Then re-fry the fish fillets for extra crispiness till they are cooked through and are golden brown.
- Sprinkle chaat masala as soon as they are out and enjoy them with your favourite chutney.
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JG says
Hi, lovely recipe. Can I prepare this ahead and reheat in air- fryer or oven in batches to serve in a party? How best to maintain the crispness?
Qashang says
Hi, yes this fish re-heats quite well in the air fryer/oven and will also crisp up there. You can also fry it once and do the second frying before serving.
Amirah says
This sounds so easy and yummy. Wanted to ask can we subtitute rice flour or leave it out? Thanks
Qashang says
Rice flour helps make the fish crunchier but you can leave it out if you don't have it.
Reen says
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺
Love the fish pics. Saved the ingredients list to make the batter but I noticed in food videos esp in Karachi that they give a chutney & alo a bowl of spices to dip hut fish in. Does anyone know what ingredients go in the spice mix? It looks yummy.
Qashang says
Thank you! I am not sure but it could be some form of chaat masala. 🙂
Mina says
Pictures look great. I'm just following the batter recipe but you don't mention water?
Qashang says
Thank you! Yes please make the batter with some water.
Jasmine says
I'm excited to try this! Any chance you have the ingredients by weight?
Aisha says
Can we bake or air fry the fish?? If so then at what temperature?
Qashang says
The batter is slightly runny so I wouldn't recommend it for the air fryer. Try my Spicy Fish Nuggets instead. I have included the air frying instructions in the recipe:
https://www.chilitochoc.com/spicy-fish-nuggets/
Jon says
Absolutely delicious! I made this for dinner tonight and posted it on Instagram to let people know. 🙂 Thanks for an amazing recipe!
2pots2cooks says
Oh dear ! Thank you so much for double frying tip !!!!!! Absolutely will do !
Chili to Choc says
Glad you find it useful. Thanks!
Aysha says
I was looking for perfect lahori fish recipe for so long and here you got us. Can't wait to give it a try soon.
I will come back with feedback but for now u got my 5 star already ?. Thank you so much ❤️
Chili to Choc says
Aw you are so kind! Hope the recipe turns out great.