• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chili to Choc logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipe Index
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Fish

    Lahori Fried Fish

    Published: Sep 17, 2020 · Modified: Dec 28, 2021 · By Qashang · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    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 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.

    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
    • Instant Jalebi
    • Crispy Pakoras (Vegetable Fritters)

    Let’s stay connected! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest updates. And subscribe to my YouTube channel for video recipes.

    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 mins
    Cook Time: 15 mins
    Total Time: 25 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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.
    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)

    « Green Tamarind Chutney
    Easy Greek Meatballs (Keftedes) »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review 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.

    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

    Primary Sidebar

    headshot image

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

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    • Quick And Easy Mini Blueberry Muffins
    • German Potato Pancakes (Kartoffelpuffer)
    • Homemade Caramel Latte
    • Quick And Easy Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
    • Garlic Chili Oil Noodles
    • Chicken Malai Boti (Murgh Malai Tikka)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Contact

    COPYRIGHT © 2023 BY CHILI TO CHOC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.