What to Cook with Goby Fish? 13 Authentic, Flavorful Western-Style Recipes

Mudskipper (Ca keo) is a familiar type of fish in the Southern river regions, known for its sweet meat, few bones, ease of preparation, and its status as a great accompaniment to rice. However, not everyone knows what delicious dishes can be made with mudskipper, or what is good to cook with mudskipper to maintain its natural richness without any fishiness. In this article, Ola Squid will share details on the most popular dishes from mudskipper, ranging from hotpot, braised dishes, to fried and grilled recipes, along with specific cooking methods that are easy to apply at home for both daily meals and weekend gatherings.

What delicious dishes can be made with mudskipper?

Mentioning mudskipper is synonymous with simple yet highly flavorful dishes. Thanks to its tender meat, thin skin, and distinct taste, mudskipper is excellent for soups, braising, grilling, or frying. If you are wondering what delicious dishes can be made with mudskipper, the list below will provide you with a comprehensive and practical perspective.

Mudskipper hotpot with bitter vegetables

Mudskipper hotpot with bitter vegetables is considered the “soul” of Western Vietnamese cuisine. The mild bitterness of the vegetables combined with the sour and spicy hotpot broth makes this dish addictive, especially on rainy days.

Ingredients:

• Live mudskipper: 500g
• Bitter vegetables: 200g
• Sour tamarind: 30g
• Minced garlic and lemongrass: 1 tablespoon each
• Chili, green onions
• Fish sauce, salt, sugar, MSG
• Broth: 1.5 liters

Instructions:

• Wash the mudskipper thoroughly, keep it whole, do not scale.
• Macerate the tamarind to extract the juice, discard the seeds.
• Sauté garlic and lemongrass until fragrant, add broth and bring to a boil.
• Season with tamarind water, salt, fish sauce, and sugar for a balanced sweet and sour taste.
• When eating, add the fish to the hotpot; once cooked, dip the bitter vegetables.
• Serve with fresh vermicelli and fish sauce with chili.

Mudskipper sour soup

Mudskipper sour soup brings the familiar taste of Southern Vietnamese meals; it is easy to eat and not cloying. This dish is suitable for both the elderly and children.

Ingredients:

• Mudskipper: 400g
• Tomatoes: 2 fruits
• Elephant ear stalks (colocasia gigantea): 100g
• Bean sprouts: 100g
• Sour tamarind or Garcinia atroviridis
• Rice paddy herb, sawtooth herb
• Fish sauce, salt, sugar

Instructions:

• Clean the mudskipper, drain.
• Boil water with tamarind until sour enough, add tomatoes.
• Drop the mudskipper into the pot, cook on medium heat.
• Season with fish sauce and sugar to balance the taste.
• Add elephant ear stalks, bean sprouts, and herbs, then turn off the heat.

If you are looking for dishes from mudskipper that are light and easy to digest, sour soup is a very safe choice.

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Braised mudskipper with Vietnamese coriander

Braised mudskipper with Vietnamese coriander has a distinct aroma and pairs perfectly with white rice. The coriander helps mask the fishy smell and makes the braised dish richer.

Ingredients:

• Mudskipper: 500g
• Vietnamese coriander: 1 small bunch
• Fish sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Sugar: 1.5 tablespoons
• Pepper, chili, purple shallots

Instructions:

• Clean the mudskipper, marinate with fish sauce, sugar, and pepper for about 15 minutes.
• Sauté shallots, add the fish to braise until firm.
• Add enough water to cover, braise on low heat for 15–20 minutes.
• Add the Vietnamese coriander before turning off the heat.

This dish is very popular when considering what delicious dishes can be made with mudskipper for a family meal.

Salt and chili grilled mudskipper

Salt and chili grilled mudskipper is a simple snack, with a bold spicy and salty flavor that is addictive.

Ingredients:

• Mudskipper: 400g
• Coarse salt: 1 tablespoon
• Minced chili: 1 tablespoon
• Satay (optional)

Instructions:

• Clean the fish, keep it whole.
• Crush salt with chili, rub evenly onto the fish.
• Grill over charcoal or in an oven until the skin is slightly charred.
• Serve with raw vegetables and salt with lime.

Mudskipper hotpot with sour leaves (la giang)

Mudskipper hotpot with sour leaves is a typical Southern Vietnamese dish, distinguished by the natural sour taste of sour leaves and tender, sweet mudskipper meat, perfect for cozy gatherings.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• Sour leaves: 100 grams
• Tomatoes: 2 fruits
• Purple shallots: 2 bulbs
• Garlic: 2 cloves
• Chili: 1 to 2 fruits depending on taste
• Ripe tamarind: 1 tablespoon or tamarind juice 20 ml
• Bone broth or water: 1.5 liters
• Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Seasoning powder: 1 tablespoon
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon
• Vegetables such as water spinach, water lily, water mimosa, bean sprouts in sufficient quantity
• Fresh vermicelli

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lemon juice, wash repeatedly until clean
• Wash the sour leaves, crush lightly to release the sour flavor
• Cut tomatoes into wedges, mince shallots and garlic
• Sauté shallots and garlic with oil until fragrant
• Sauté tomatoes briefly until soft
• Pour the broth into the pot, bring to a boil
• Season with salt, seasoning powder, sugar, and tamarind juice for a balanced sour-salty-sweet taste
• Add the sour leaves, cook for 3 to 5 minutes
• When the broth boils again, add the mudskipper
• Cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the fish is cooked, then turn off the heat
• Add sliced chili if you like it spicy

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Satay grilled mudskipper

Satay grilled mudskipper is a rich, mildly spicy dish with an attractive aroma, very suitable as a snack or to change up the family meal.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• Satay: 2 tablespoons
• Minced garlic 1 tbsp + Minced lemongrass 1 tbsp + Minced chili 1 tsp depending on taste
• Cooking oil 1 tbsp + Fish sauce 1 tbsp + Sugar 1 tsp + Salt 1/2 tsp
• Side vegetables such as fresh greens, cucumber, aromatic herbs in sufficient quantity

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash until clean, drain
• Mix satay, garlic, lemongrass, chili, oil, fish sauce, and sugar into a marinade
• Marinate the mudskipper with the mixture for about 20 to 30 minutes
• Heat the charcoal grill or oven
• Place the fish on the rack, grill evenly until golden brown and fragrant
• Turn the fish gently so it doesn’t break

Crispy fried mudskipper

Crispy fried mudskipper is a simple, easy-to-make dish with a crispy skin outside and sweet, tender meat inside, perfect with fresh greens and sweet and sour fish sauce.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• Crispy frying flour: 100 grams
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
• Cooking oil in sufficient quantity to fry

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash repeatedly, drain
• Mix crispy frying flour with cornstarch, salt, and pepper
• Coat the mudskipper with the flour mixture evenly
• Heat oil on medium heat
• Deep fry the fish until golden and crispy
• Remove and drain off excess oil

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Sesame fried mudskipper

Sesame fried mudskipper is a fragrant and rich dish, with a light crispy crust and the aroma of toasted sesame, perfect for a change in the family menu.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• White sesame: 50 grams
• Crispy frying flour: 80 grams
• Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
• Egg: 1
• Cooking oil in sufficient quantity to fry

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash until clean, drain
• Mix crispy frying flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and egg until smooth
• Dip the mudskipper into the flour mixture
• Roll the fish through white sesame seeds to coat evenly
• Heat oil on medium heat
• Deep fry the fish until golden and crispy
• Remove and drain off excess oil

Braised mudskipper with white radish

Braised mudskipper with white radish is a rich dish, with natural sweetness from the fish and radish, clean braising liquid, easy to eat, and very suitable for family meals.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• White radish: 300 grams
• Shallots 2 bulbs + Garlic 2 cloves + Chili 1 fruit depending on taste
• Fish sauce 2 tbsp + Sugar 1 tbsp + Caramel sauce 1 tsp
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
• Cooking oil 1 tbsp + Water 300 ml

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash repeatedly, drain
• Peel the white radish, cut into rounds or bite-sized pieces
• Mince shallots and garlic
• Sauté shallots and garlic with oil until fragrant
• Add the mudskipper and stir gently until firm
• Add fish sauce, sugar, and caramel sauce, stir well
• Add the white radish and water into the pot
• Braise on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes so the fish and radish absorb the seasoning
• Taste and adjust, sprinkle with pepper, then turn off the heat.

Dried mudskipper

Dried mudskipper is a rustic specialty of the Western region, with chewy, sweet meat and a mild salty taste, very convenient to store and easy to process into many delicious dishes.

Ingredients

• Fresh mudskipper: 1 kg
• Salt: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar: 1 tablespoon
• Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Chili powder: 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper, wash thoroughly, drain
• Cut the fish body open, remove guts, wash until clean
• Mix salt, sugar, pepper, and chili powder
• Marinate the fish with the spice mixture for about 1 to 2 hours
• Arrange the fish on a clean rack or tray
• Sun-dry for 1 to 2 days until the surface is dry but the fish is still pliable
• Store in the fridge or freezer

How to use

• Grill over charcoal or oven
• Fry until crispy to serve with rice or mango salad
• Shred and toss into salad

Note when making dried mudskipper

• Do not sun-dry too much to avoid the fish becoming hard
• Choose fresh, firm fish for the best dried product
• Store in an airtight container to avoid odors and insects

Mudskipper braised in clay pot

Mudskipper braised in a clay pot is a familiar dish in Western Vietnamese family meals, with a harmonious sweet and salty taste, tender meat, and a thickened braising sauce, making it very rice-friendly.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• Shallots 2 bulbs + Garlic 2 cloves + Chili 1 fruit depending on taste
• Fish sauce 2 tbsp + Sugar 1 tbsp
• Caramel sauce 1 tsp
• Black pepper 1/2 teaspoon
• Cooking oil 1 tbsp
• Water 200 to 250 ml

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash repeatedly, drain
• Marinate the fish with fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and chili for about 15 to 20 minutes
• Sauté shallots and garlic with oil in a clay pot
• Place the fish inside, stir gently until firm
• Add caramel sauce and water
• Braise on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes until the sauce thickens
• Taste and adjust, sprinkle with more pepper, then turn off the heat

Some notes:

• Braise on low heat so the fish absorbs the flavor and doesn’t fall apart
• Can add pork fat or pork cracklings to make the dish richer and more fragrant
• Serve hot with white rice for best results

Lightly braised mudskipper

Lightly braised mudskipper is a rustic dish, very typical of the Western region, with a mild salty taste and natural sweetness from the fish, perfect with white rice and boiled vegetables. This dish does not use too many spices, so it retains the full characteristic flavor of the mudskipper.

Ingredients:

• Mudskipper: 500–600g
• Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Shallots: 2 bulbs, crushed
• Fresh chili: 1–2 fruits (depending on taste)
• Water or fresh coconut water: 200–250ml
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon

Instructions:

• Clean the mudskipper, wash with diluted saltwater then drain.
• Add fish to the pot, add shallots, chili, fish sauce, and salt, mix gently.
• Pour water or coconut water until just covering the fish.
• Place the pot on the stove, cook on medium heat until boiling, then lower the heat.
• Braise for about 15–20 minutes until the fish is cooked and the sauce reduces slightly, adjust taste.
• Sprinkle with pepper, turn off heat, and serve hot with white rice.

Mudskipper fried with fish sauce

Mudskipper fried with fish sauce is a rich dish, with a light crispy outer layer and sweet, tender meat inside, absorbing the savory fish sauce coating, making it highly appetizing with rice.

Ingredients

• Mudskipper: 500 grams
• Crispy frying flour: 80 grams
• Cooking oil in sufficient quantity to fry
• Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon
• Fish sauce: 2 tablespoons
• Sugar: 1.5 tablespoons
• Minced chili: 1/2 teaspoon depending on taste

Instructions

• Clean the slime off the mudskipper with salt or lime, wash until clean, drain
• Coat the fish with a thin layer of crispy frying flour
• Heat oil, fry the fish on medium heat until golden and crispy
• Remove and drain off excess oil
• Sauté garlic with a little oil
• Add fish sauce, sugar, and chili, cook on low heat until thickened
• Add the mudskipper and stir gently to coat evenly with the sauce
• Turn off the heat when the fish is coated

Mudskipper fried with fish sauce has a balanced sweet and salty taste, very suitable for family meals or as a snack.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of eating mudskipper?

Mudskipper is a nutrient-rich fish with tender meat that is easy to digest, suitable for many people.

• Provides high-quality protein, helping to nourish the body
• Rich in calcium and minerals, good for bones and joints
• Low fat content, suitable for healthy eaters
• Easy to prepare, suitable for both the elderly and children

How much per kg of mudskipper?

The market price of mudskipper may vary depending on the timing, size, and source.

• Fresh live mudskipper usually ranges from about 180,000 to 300,000 VND per kg
• Large, uniform-sized mudskipper is priced higher
• Frozen or pre-processed mudskipper is usually lower priced than live fish

Where is mudskipper a specialty?

Mudskipper is a famous specialty of the Southern Vietnamese river region, living mainly in brackish water areas.

• Common in Western provinces like Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, Soc Trang
• Most abundant in estuaries and mangrove forests
• Wild mudskipper is often highly valued for its sweetness and firm meat

Through the suggestions in this article, delicious dishes from mudskipper have been fully summarized, helping you easily know what delicious dishes can be made with mudskipper and what is good to cook with mudskipper to apply to your daily meals. Depending on your taste and preparation method, mudskipper provides a distinct, easy-to-eat, and nutrient-rich experience. If you are interested in seafood and want to find more high-quality squid products, you can visit the Culinary Corner of Ola Squid to refer to more recipes and choices suitable for the Vietnamese palate.

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