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Home » Recipes

Lahori Fried Fish

Modified: Jan 10, 2025 · Published: Sep 17, 2020 by Qashang · This post may contain affiliate links.

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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.

Stack of fish fingers with garnish on top and two glasses of milk tea on the back

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.

Closeup of cut up fish finger with a lemon wedge behind it

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 Sweet 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.

Fish fingers called Lahori Fried Fish (street food in Pakistan) on a newspaper

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
  • Fish Pakora 
  • Instant Jalebi
  • Crispy Pakoras (Vegetable Fritters)

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📖 Recipe

Lahori-style fried fish fingers on a newspaper with garnish on top

Lahori Fried Fish

Deep-fried, battered, spicy fish fingers just how you get on the streets of Pakistan.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 25 minutes mins
Servings: 20 fish fingers
Author: Qashang

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
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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.

Video

Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and a review in the comments. You can also tag @chilitochoc on Instagram. I love hearing your feedback!

PIN ME FOR LATER

Lahori Fried Fish - crispy fish fingers sold in the streets of Pakistan (collage for Pinterest)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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  1. JG says

    March 31, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    5 stars
    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?

    Reply
    • Qashang says

      April 01, 2022 at 3:18 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Amirah says

    February 07, 2022 at 6:31 pm

    This sounds so easy and yummy. Wanted to ask can we subtitute rice flour or leave it out? Thanks

    Reply
    • Qashang says

      February 07, 2022 at 11:01 pm

      Rice flour helps make the fish crunchier but you can leave it out if you don't have it.

      Reply
  3. Reen says

    December 26, 2021 at 7:20 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
    • Qashang says

      January 06, 2022 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you! I am not sure but it could be some form of chaat masala. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Mina says

    December 15, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    Pictures look great. I'm just following the batter recipe but you don't mention water?

    Reply
    • Qashang says

      December 19, 2021 at 10:29 am

      Thank you! Yes please make the batter with some water.

      Reply
  5. Jasmine says

    September 03, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    I'm excited to try this! Any chance you have the ingredients by weight?

    Reply
  6. Aisha says

    April 20, 2021 at 8:08 pm

    Can we bake or air fry the fish?? If so then at what temperature?

    Reply
    • Qashang says

      April 25, 2021 at 1:35 pm

      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/

      Reply
  7. Jon says

    March 31, 2021 at 4:50 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I made this for dinner tonight and posted it on Instagram to let people know. 🙂 Thanks for an amazing recipe!

    Reply
  8. 2pots2cooks says

    September 18, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    Oh dear ! Thank you so much for double frying tip !!!!!! Absolutely will do !

    Reply
    • Chili to Choc says

      September 24, 2020 at 10:09 am

      Glad you find it useful. Thanks!

      Reply
  9. Aysha says

    September 17, 2020 at 6:23 pm

    5 stars
    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 ❤️

    Reply
    • Chili to Choc says

      September 24, 2020 at 10:09 am

      Aw you are so kind! Hope the recipe turns out great.

      Reply

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Hi, I am Qashang! I share fuss-free recipes from around the world that are rich in flavour and made with easily available ingredients.

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