What Delicious Dishes Can You Make With Goby Fish? 10+ Delicious Goby Fish Recipes

Goby fish is a familiar freshwater fish found in the rivers, canals, and fields of Vietnam. Despite its small body, the goby’s meat is firm, naturally sweet, and develops a characteristic aroma when prepared; therefore, they often appear in many family meals, especially in the river regions of the Mekong Delta and Central Vietnam.

Thanks to its rich flavor and ease of seasoning, goby fish is used to prepare many braised, fried, and soup dishes that go perfectly with rice. It is because of this variety that many people wonder “what goby dishes are delicious” or “what to cook with goby fish” to change the flavor of their daily meals. In this article, Ola Squid will compile a complete set of delicious goby dishes with detailed instructions so you can confidently prepare them and succeed from your first attempt.

What goby dishes are delicious?

Below is a collection of more than 10 delicious goby dishes, from traditional braised dishes to more unique preparation methods. Each dish is presented in detail, helping you easily enter the kitchen and fully feel the characteristic flavor of this type of fish.

Goby fish braised with pepper

Goby fish braised with pepper is a classic dish in Vietnamese cuisine. When braised correctly, the goby fish keeps its sweetness and firm meat, combined with the spicy heat of pepper to create a rich flavor that is incredibly appetizing with rice. This is also the dish that housewives often choose when they want to enhance the family meal.

Ingredients:

• 300-500g fresh goby fish
• 1 tablespoon ground pepper and 1 tablespoon peppercorns
• Dried shallots, garlic, chili
• Premium fish sauce, sugar, salt, cooking oil
• A little green onion and pork fat cracklings (optional)

Detailed instructions:

• Clean the goby fish with salt and lemon, then drain.
• Sauté the shallots and garlic, add sugar to make a caramel color.
• Add the fish and stir gently to coat with color, then add fish sauce, pepper, chili, and a little boiling water.
• Lower the heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes until the sauce thickens.
• Sprinkle with peppercorns, green onions, and add a little pork fat cracklings if you want it fragrant and rich.

This dish eaten with hot rice is very appetizing, especially suitable for chilly weather days.

Goby fish braised with turmeric

If you are looking for a dish that can warm the body and support digestion, goby fish braised with turmeric is the perfect choice. Turmeric helps effectively deodorize the fish while creating a beautiful golden color.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 400g
• Crushed fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
• Shallots, garlic, chili
• Seasoning: salt, sugar, fish sauce

Method:

• Clean the goby fish, marinate with salt and turmeric for 15 minutes.
• Sauté garlic and shallots, add the remaining turmeric and stir-fry until fragrant.
• Add the fish, stir gently, then add fish sauce and sugar.
• Pour in boiling water to just cover the fish, braise on low heat until the fish meat is firm and the sauce thickens.
• Season to taste and turn off the heat.
• The aroma of turmeric blends with the sweetness of the fish to create a fragrant braised dish.

Goby fish braised in a clay pot

The dish of goby fish braised in a clay pot is a symbol of Southern Vietnamese meals, carrying a very characteristic sweet – salty blend. When braised in a clay pot, the flavor will be even richer and more fragrant.

Ingredients:

• 500g goby fish
• Premium fish sauce
• Caramelized sugar
• Garlic, chili, pepper
• Clay pot

Method:

• Caramelize sugar to a wing-brown color in the clay pot.
• Add fish already marinated with sauce and pepper, stir gently to avoid breaking the fish.
• Add boiling water, braise on low heat for at least 45 minutes to let the fish absorb deeply.
• Turn off the heat when the sauce thickens, and the fish surface looks clear and glossy.
• This dish goes very well with white rice and boiled vegetables dipped in the braising sauce.
• Goby fish braised with ginger

Goby fish braised with ginger brings a warm spicy flavor and a characteristic aroma. Ginger effectively helps deodorize and makes the braised dish richer.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 300-400g
• Shredded ginger
• Garlic, shallots
• Fish sauce, sugar, cooking oil

Method:

• Clean the fish, marinate with fish sauce, sugar, and ginger for 20 minutes.
• Sauté shallots and garlic, then add the fish to braise on low heat.
• Add boiling water, season and braise until the water is almost gone.
• Add a bit of fresh ginger when turning off the heat to keep the aroma.

See also: What dishes are delicious with barramundi? 14 irresistible barramundi dishes

Goby fish braised with fermented bean paste

The characteristic sweetness of fermented bean paste combined with the firmness of goby fish creates a dish with a true countryside taste, extremely suitable for those who like a light but deep braised flavor.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 300–500g
• Fermented bean paste (tuong ban or tuong hat)
• Garlic, chili, sugar, cooking oil

Method:

• Mix the fermented bean paste with warm water to dissolve easily.
• Sauté garlic then pour in the fermented bean paste.
• Add the fish and braise on low heat until the sauce absorbs and thickens.
• Season with sugar to taste, add a little pepper for fragrance.

Goby fish braised with galangal

Among the traditional braised dishes of Northern people, goby fish braised with galangal is a dish that carries a strong mark of home. The pungent, slightly spicy aroma of galangal creates a deep layer of fragrance that whenever the pot lid is opened, the entire kitchen bursts with an unforgettable scent. This is also a dish that often appears in reunion meals.

Ingredients:

• 400g fresh goby fish
• 1 galangal root (sliced or crushed)
• Premium fish sauce, sugar, salt
• Shallots, garlic, peppercorns
• Fresh chili

Detailed instructions:

• Clean the goby fish, drain, and lightly marinate with fish sauce and pepper for about 15 minutes.
• Line the bottom of a clay pot or cast iron pot with sliced galangal.
• Sauté shallots and garlic, add the fish and stir gently then place over the galangal layer.
• Add fish sauce, sugar, and a little boiling water.
• Braise on low heat for 40 minutes so the fish absorbs the flavor and the galangal releases its aroma.
• Sprinkle peppercorns and add chili when turning off the heat.

This dish has a very characteristic aroma, a perfectly balanced salty-sweet braised flavor, and is extremely good with rice.

Goby fish braised with Vietnamese coriander

Vietnamese coriander has a light aroma and a slightly pungent taste that is very suitable for braising with goby fish. When braised together, Vietnamese coriander not only reduces the fishiness but also creates a unique, gentle fragrance. This dish is suitable for both adults and children, especially in intimate family meals.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 300–500g
• 1 bunch of Vietnamese coriander
• Shallots, minced garlic
• Fish sauce, sugar, pepper, and cooking oil

Method:

• Clean the goby fish, drain.
• Sauté shallots and garlic, add the fish and stir lightly.
• Add fish sauce, sugar, and then boiling water to cover.
• When the fish is almost dry, add Vietnamese coriander and stir gently.
• Braise for another 5 minutes to release the aroma, then turn off the heat.
• The smell of Vietnamese coriander blending with the sweetness of the fish creates a light but still very rich braised dish.

Fried goby fish with piper sarmentosum leaves

This dish has a simple preparation method but is extremely attractive thanks to the fragrance of piper sarmentosum leaves blending with the crispy, chewy fish meat. This is an ideal snack dish but also goes very well with rice.

Ingredients:

• 300g goby fish
• A few piper sarmentosum leaves, shredded
• Garlic, shallots
• Crispy frying flour (optional)
• Seasoning: salt, pepper, fish sauce

Method:

• Clean the fish, marinate with salt and pepper for 10–15 minutes.
• Fry the fish until golden and crispy over medium heat.
• Sauté garlic, then add piper sarmentosum leaves and stir well.
• Add the fried fish, add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce to create a rich taste.
• Toss evenly then turn off the heat.

The aroma of piper sarmentosum leaves when meeting the heat spreads very attractively, creating a dish that is both strange and familiar.

See also: What is the best dish to make with grouper? Revealing 12 attractive grouper dishes

Crispy fried goby fish

This is a basic dish but very easy to score points with every member of the family. Crispy fried goby fish can be eaten with rice, rolled in rice paper, or used as a light snack dish.

Ingredients:

• 300–400g goby fish
• Cornstarch or wheat flour (not required)
• Salt, pepper
• Cooking oil

Method:

• Clean the fish and drain thoroughly.
• Marinate with salt, pepper and toss well.
• Roll the fish through a thin layer of flour to increase crispiness (optional).
• Fry the fish in hot oil until golden brown.
• The crispy crunch of the fish makes this dish a “best seller” in every family party.

Fried goby fish with garlic and chili

A richer variant of the crispy fried dish. Golden sautéed garlic combined with chili creates a rich, spicy coating that is extremely appetizing with rice.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 300g
• Minced garlic, minced chili
• Sugar, fish sauce
• Cooking oil

Method:

• Crispy fry the goby fish as in the basic method.
• Fry the garlic until golden, add chili and 1 tablespoon fish sauce + ½ tablespoon sugar and stir well.
• Add the fish and toss evenly so the sauce coats the fish.

This dish is suitable for days when you want to change your taste, enjoying a bit of spiciness while still maintaining the crispiness of the fish.

Goby fish soup with Vietnamese coriander

A refreshing soup but with a characteristic fragrance thanks to Vietnamese coriander. This is an easy-to-make soup, suitable for cleansing the palate after oily fried or braised dishes.

Ingredients:

• Fresh goby fish: 200–300g
• Vietnamese coriander
• Shallots, ginger
• Fish sauce, salt

Method:

• Sauté shallots, add the fish and stir gently.
• Pour in boiling water, cook for 5–7 minutes.
• Add Vietnamese coriander and ginger slices.
• Season lightly and turn off the heat.

The smell of Vietnamese coriander rises gently, creating the characteristic sweet flavor of a rural soup.

See also: What is the best dish to make with pomfret? Top 13 ways to prepare delicious pomfret

Goby fish soup with mustard greens

A gentle combination between the sweetness of the fish and the refreshing taste of mustard greens, very suitable for eating on hot days.

Ingredients:

• 300g goby fish
• Green mustard greens or leaf mustard
• Ginger, shallots
• Basic seasoning

Method:

• Stir-fry the fish briefly with sautéed shallots.
• Pour in water and bring to a boil.
• When the fish is cooked, add the mustard greens and season again.
• Turn off the heat immediately when the vegetables are just cooked to keep the beautiful color.

Goby fish soup cooked with star fruit

Sour star fruit creates a light sour taste, stimulating the taste buds and helping the soup become more appetizing. This is a very suitable dish for hot summer days.

Ingredients:

• Goby fish: 200–300g
• Sliced sour star fruit
• Tomato (optional)
• Scallion and coriander
• Basic seasoning

Method:

• Stir-fry the fish briefly until firm.
• Pour in boiling water and add star fruit + tomatoes.
• Cook for 5–7 minutes.
• Season and sprinkle with scallion and coriander.

Health benefits of goby fish

Among freshwater fish, goby is highly rated thanks to its abundant natural nutrient content and versatility in preparation methods. The nutritional value of goby fish brings practical benefits for children, adults, and the elderly.

• Rich in protein and essential amino acids: Goby meat contains high protein and is low in fat, helping the body absorb nutrients quickly without feeling heavy. The source of amino acids in the fish supports the tissue regeneration process, good for people recovering their health.
• Good for cardiovascular health: Goby fish contains natural omega-3, helping to reduce bad cholesterol and enhance heart health. Although the content is not as high as in saltwater fish, for those who eat little seafood, goby is a very suitable alternative.
• Supports bone health: Calcium and phosphorus in goby fish help increase bone strength, which is especially necessary for children, the elderly, and active people.

• Enhances digestion: Dishes such as goby soup with mustard greens, goby soup cooked with star fruit, and goby fish braised with Vietnamese coriander often have a light sweetness and little grease, making them easy to digest, suitable for people with sensitive digestive systems.
• Supports weight loss: Low calorie and high protein content make goby an ideal food in eat clean, fat-loss, or carbohydrate-restricted diets.
• Good for postpartum women: In many Vietnamese rural areas, goby fish braised with pepper or goby fish braised with turmeric is used as a dish to help enrich the blood and restore postpartum health thanks to the warm properties of the spices.

Thanks to those practical benefits, when researching “What to cook with goby fish?”, you can flexibly choose a dish suitable for the age, physical condition, and nutritional needs of each person in the family.

How to choose fresh goby fish

To make dishes with authentic flavor, the stage of choosing goby fish is extremely important. Goby fish are small but very easy to spoil if poorly preserved. Below are detailed instructions for you to choose delicious, firm fish, minimizing the fishy smell during preparation.

Observe the fish eyes:

• Fresh fish have clear, slightly bulging eyes, not cloudy.
• If the eyes are sunken or have turned milky white, the fish has been kept for a long time.

Check the fish body:

• Fresh goby fish have firm bodies; they feel firm when held.
• The skin layer has a light smooth sheen, is not overly slimy, and has not changed color.
• Press lightly on the fish; if the flesh bounces back quickly, it is freshly caught fish.

How to choose fresh goby fish

Smell the fish:

• Fresh goby fish only has a natural fishy smell.
• If there is a strange, slightly sour or pungent smell, absolutely do not buy it.

Prioritize field goby or river goby: These types have a fragrant taste, sweet meat, soft bones, and less mud smell. For those specialized in cooking goby fish dishes, the difference in water sources clearly affects the quality of the dish.

Choose goby fish by season

• The season for fatty, firm goby usually falls between March and August.
• In the cold season, the fish are often smaller and thinner.

With the list of delicious goby fish dishes and the accompanying detailed instructions, we believe you will no longer wonder what goby dishes are delicious for your daily meals. Whether braising, frying, or cooking soup, goby fish always brings a rich, easy-to-eat flavor suitable for all family members. We hope the suggestions from Ola Squid will help you find more inspiration in the kitchen and make simple meals more flavorful every day. Besides fresh fish, if you are looking for premium seafood gifts or high-quality ingredients, don’t forget to explore our dried squid shop for the best products in Vietnam.