Spicy Panfried Pompano – Buttery mild white fish spiced with turmeric, red chili powder, ginger, garlic and coated with rice flour and pan fried to make the flavor packed fried fish.
Spiced, shallow fried Pomfret is a delicacy back home in Maharashtra. Pomfret, also known as pompano or butterfish is very popular in South Asia as it is abundant in the surrounding oceans.
In 2003, Arti, my sister from Singapore was visiting and while shopping at the local Korean store she noticed the fish, labeled pompano, in the seafood department. Arti makes the most amazing fish and was very confident it will taste similar to my favorite pomfret.
It had been years since I had the delicious fish. Arti, had the fish monger cut us perfect steaks and when we made it that evening it felt like I was back home eating my mom’s fried pomfret. Since that day, I have made pomfret in many different ways but this simple recipe is still my favorite.
I often pair this fried pompano with a mild, flavorful fish curry and served it with steamed basmati rice and homemade chapati’s for a wholesome meal.
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Buttery mild white pompano spiced with turmeric, red chili powder, ginger, garlic, coated with rice flour and pan fried to make the flavor packed fried fish.
- 1 large Pompano cut into 1 inch steaks
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic grated
- 1/2 tablespoon red chili powder medium hot
- 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Wash the pompano steaks thoroughly and drain all the water. Apply lime juice evenly and set aside for 5 mins. Drain all the lime water out. Lime water will help take away any fishy smell.
Mix together ginger, garlic, red chili powder, turmeric and salt. Apply it evenly to the fish steaks.
- Add a pinch of salt, turmeric, red chill powder and garam masala to the rice flour and mix well.
- Heat a medium grilling pan and spread half tbsp of oil evenly. Roll the fish steaks individually in the rice flour, shake off any excess flour and arrange the fish on the pan. Apply the rest of the oil on top side of the fish using a brush. Cook each side uncovered on medium heat for 3-4 mins or until the fish looks golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with lime wedges.
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Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
Hans Susser says
Looks very beautiful and tasty 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Hans!
Aayushi Manish says
yummy!!
Archana says
Thank you Aayushi!
healthyindiankitchen says
This looks amazing! We usually do it with Rava (semolina) but I am sure the rice flour version will do wonders! 🙂
Archana says
You are right Monalisa! Rava also tastes great with this fish.
Sumith Babu says
Fish fry with rice flour. Yummy…would like to try.
Archana says
Let me know how you like it.
Sumith Babu says
That was amazing. I tried with semolina earlier. First time trying with rice. Thanks for the post Archana.
Archana says
Thanks you so much for letting me know! I am glad you liked it.
Fijay says
Gosh this sounds good …..I don’t think we can get pomfret in the UK tho ….I wonder if it would work with Halibut steaks? ….I might give it a go next week it sounds delicious and really quick and easy too :):):):)
Archana says
Thank you Fijay! I would love to know how you like this simple recipe.
Archana says
This recipe would work well with Halibut steaks too!!
Fijay says
Yes I will let you know …delicious food that’s quick and easy to prepare like this is a godsend to me…so Thankyou:):):):):)
Sheryl says
mmm. . . This fish looks absolutely wonderful.
Archana says
Thank you Sheryl! It is super simple to make and so flavorful.
Karen says
Pomfret, or Pompano as I know it, is a favorite fish of mine because of its nice taste and texture. Your preparation sounds very good, thank you for sharing your recipe.
Archana says
Thank you Karen!! I hope you like this simple recipe.
Karen says
I’m sure I will.
Fijay says
Well Archana …we had this for tea last week ….I substituted the Pomfret for Halibut steak as couldn’t get Pomfret here BUT it was sooooo quick, easy and delicious …Thankyou ….I think you should put your recipes in a book and sell it on Amazon ….these are lifesaving recipes for working Mum’s who like to feed themselves and their families well ….I took a picture of it ( I think I was showing off :D:D:D
ANYWAY I tried to upload it here as reply but couldn’t so I blogged it instead and …yes ….yes ….don’t worry ….you have all the credit ….get that book together and get it sold on Amazon I say:D:D:D
Archana says
Thank you so much!! I am humbled with your kind words. So glad you tried it and enjoyed it! Thank you for re blogging it!!
Loretta says
I remember pomfret so vividly growing up in Kenya. You are right, some of our Asian stores here carry pompano and we’ve found it to be very close to the taste of pomfret. Your pan fried steaks look so yummy!
Archana says
Thank you! I Love the light and buttery taste of Pompano.