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Lizardfish is a marine fish (saltwater fish), commonly caught in the central and southern coastal regions of Vietnam. The fish has a slender body, white flesh, a mild sweet taste, and is not overly fishy, making it very easy to prepare. Thanks to its firm texture, lizardfish can be used in many dishes from frying, grilling, and braising to cooking soup or making salad. Besides, lizardfish also provides good nutritional value for health and comes at a very reasonable price. This article will sequentially suggest delicious dishes from lizardfish, the benefits of eating it, and information on lizardfish price per kg for your convenient reference when choosing to buy.

What to cook with lizardfish?

Lizardfish cake

Lizardfish cake is a dish that makes excellent use of the natural chewiness and sweetness of the fish’s flesh. Compared to many other types of fish, lizardfish is less fishy, easy to scrape, and has high binding properties, making it very suitable for making cakes. When mentioning what to cook with lizardfish, fish cakes are always among the most searched groups.

Ingredients:

• Fresh lizardfish (deboned): 500g
• Dill, scallions: 30g
• Minced garlic: 1 tablespoon
• Ground pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Tapioca starch: 1 tablespoon
• Cooking oil

Detailed method:

• Clean the lizardfish, pat dry, cut into small pieces, and place in a mortar or blender.
• Pound or blend the fish with salt first until sticky, then add fish sauce, pepper, and garlic.
• Add tapioca starch and continue to mix until the mixture is smooth and chewy.
• Mix in chopped scallions and dill at the end.
• Shape the paste into bite-sized pieces; you can either fry or steam them.
• If frying: heat the oil and fry over medium heat until both sides are golden brown.

Lizardfish cakes go very well with rice vermicelli, bread, or hot rice, and can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Breaded fried lizardfish

Breaded fried lizardfish is an easy-to-eat dish, especially suitable for children thanks to its crispy outer layer and soft, sweet fish meat inside. If you are looking for what delicious dish to cook with lizardfish in a quick and simple way, this is an ideal choice.

Ingredients:

• Lizardfish: 500g
• Breadcrumbs: 1 packet
• Egg: 1 egg
• Crispy frying flour: 100g
• Salt, pepper
• Cooking oil

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, cut into bite-sized pieces, and marinate with salt and pepper for about 10 minutes.
• Roll the fish in crispy frying flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
• Heat oil and deep-fry the fish.
• Fry until the fish is golden brown, then remove and drain the oil.

This dish is best served hot, dipped in chili sauce or mayonnaise.

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Dried lizardfish

Dried lizardfish is a familiar reserve dish for many coastal families. Sun-dried lizardfish retains a deep sweetness and slight chewiness, making it perfect for frying or grilling. For many people, this is a familiar answer to what to cook with lizardfish when they want food that lasts a long time.

Ingredients:

• Fresh lizardfish: 1kg
• Sea salt: 1 tablespoon
• Strong sunlight, airy wind

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, gut it, and wash again with diluted salt water.
• Drain well, and arrange the fish on a drying rack.
• Dry in 1–2 suns until the surface is dry and the meat is chewy.
• Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Crispy fried dried lizardfish served with white rice or shredded green mango is very tasty.

Fried lizardfish with lemongrass and chili

The dish of fried lizardfish with lemongrass and chili has a mild spicy and pungent aroma, which is very appetizing with rice. This is a dish chosen by many families when they want to change the flavor from familiar braised fish.

Ingredients:

• Lizardfish: 500g
• Minced lemongrass: 3 stalks
• Minced chili: 1-2 peppers
• Minced garlic
• Fish sauce: 1 tablespoon
• Cooking oil

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, cut into pieces, and drain.
• Deep-fry the fish until golden, then remove.
• Sauté minced lemongrass, garlic, and chili until fragrant.
• Add the fish and toss quickly with fish sauce.
• Turn off the heat when the lemongrass evenly coats the fish.

Grilled lizardfish with scallion oil

Grilled lizardfish with scallion oil preserves the full natural sweetness of the fish, adding a rich aroma from the scallion oil, perfect for a weekend meal.

Ingredients:

• Lizardfish: 600g
• Scallions: 50g
• Cooking oil: 3 tablespoons
• Salt, pepper

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, make light incisions, and marinate with salt and pepper for 10 minutes.
• Grill the fish over charcoal or in an oven until cooked.
• Heat the oil and quickly sauté the scallions.
• Drizzle the scallion oil over the fish and serve hot.

Grilled lizardfish with salt and chili

Grilled lizardfish with salt and chili is a flavorful dish, highlighted by a layer of spicy and salty salt-chili mixture evenly absorbed on the outside, which releases a very characteristic aroma when grilled. Lizardfish meat is white and firm; when grilled to perfection, it won’t be dry but still retains its natural sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh lizardfish
• 1–2 fresh chilies (depending on desired spiciness)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• 1 teaspoon satay sauce (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon MSG (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice (or calamansi)

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, remove entrails, wash with diluted salt water, and drain. You can make a few light cuts on the body to help the seasoning absorb better.
• Pound the sea salt and fresh chilies, then mix with chili powder, satay sauce, sugar, MSG, cooking oil, and lemon juice.
• Rub the salt-chili mixture evenly over the fish and let it rest for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Grilling over charcoal: place the fish on the rack, grill over medium heat, flipping frequently until golden and the skin is slightly charred.
• Oven/Air fryer: grill at 180°C for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Grill until the fish is golden and fragrant.

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Sour soup with lizardfish

Sour soup with lizardfish has a refreshing taste and is very easy to eat, making it perfect for meals on hot days.

Ingredients:

• 400–500g fresh lizardfish
• 2–3 tomatoes
• 1/2 pineapple
• 50g okra
• 50g taro stems or bean sprouts
• 1–2 tablespoons tamarind paste
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 2–3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1–2 chilies (optional)
• Rice paddy herb, Thai basil (optional)

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish and cut into pieces. Wash with diluted salt water or lemon juice to reduce the fishy smell, then drain.
• Place tamarind in a bowl, mash with hot water, filter for the juice, and discard the seeds.
• Sauté shallots and garlic with a bit of oil, add tomatoes and stir-fry until softened to create color and sweetness for the soup.
• Add water to the pot, bring to a boil, then add the lizardfish. Next, add tamarind juice, pineapple, okra, and taro stems.
• Season with fish sauce, salt, and a bit of sugar for a harmonious sweet and sour taste. When the vegetables are cooked, add chili and herbs, then turn off the heat.

Lizardfish salad

Lizardfish salad is suitable when the fish is very fresh and the meat is firm.

Ingredients:

• 400–500g fresh lizardfish
• 1 onion
• 1 carrot
• 1 cucumber
• Vietnamese coriander, Thai basil
• Roasted peanuts (crushed)
• Fried shallots
• Fresh chili (optional)

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or calamansi)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, fillet the meat, and remove bones. Wash the fish with diluted salt water or lemon juice, then quickly blanch in boiling water with ginger until just cooked. Drain and shred into bite-sized pieces.
• Thinly slice the onion and soak in ice water to reduce the pungency. Shred the carrot and slice the cucumber. Wash and chop the herbs.
• In a large bowl, combine the fish, vegetables, and herbs. Pour the dressing over and toss gently so the fish doesn’t break.
• Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with roasted peanuts and fried shallots.

Braised lizardfish with pepper

Braised lizardfish with pepper is a familiar savory dish that goes very well with rice.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh lizardfish
• 2–3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 1–2 chilies (optional)
• 1–2 teaspoons ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce (or brown sugar)
• 1–2 tablespoons fresh coconut water or filtered water

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, remove entrails, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash with diluted salt water or lemon juice to remove the fishy smell, and drain.
• Marinate the fish with fish sauce, sugar, salt, ground pepper, shallots, and minced garlic for about 15–20 minutes.
• Place a pot on the stove, add cooking oil, and sauté shallots and garlic until fragrant. Arrange the fish in the pot, add caramel sauce and coconut water, and cook over medium heat until boiling.
• Lower the heat and simmer until the seasonings are absorbed and the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste and add chili at the end.
• Turn off the heat and sprinkle more ground pepper on top to enhance the aroma.

Braised lizardfish with turmeric

The turmeric-braised dish has a beautiful color and a light aroma, which is good for digestion.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh lizardfish
• 1–2 teaspoons crushed fresh turmeric (or 1 teaspoon turmeric powder)
• 2–3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1 shallot (minced)
• 1–2 chilies (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1–2 tablespoons fresh coconut water or filtered water
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• Ground pepper (optional)

Method:

• Clean the lizardfish, remove entrails, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Wash with diluted salt water or lemon juice to remove the fishy smell, and drain.
• Marinate the fish with turmeric, fish sauce, sugar, salt, shallots, and minced garlic for about 15–20 minutes.
• Place a pot on the stove, add oil, and sauté shallots and garlic. Arrange the fish in the pot, add coconut water, and bring to a boil.
• Lower the heat and simmer until the fish is tender and the sauce has thickened. Adjust seasoning to taste and add chili and pepper at the end.
• Turn off the heat, let the fish rest for a few minutes to absorb the flavors, and serve hot.

Turmeric-braised lizardfish has a beautiful yellow color, a light turmeric scent, and a balanced sweet-salty taste. This dish is perfectly rounded when served with white rice, along with some boiled vegetables or pickles.

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Health benefits of lizardfish

Lizardfish is a marine (saltwater) fish, featuring white meat with few small bones and easy digestibility, making it suitable for many people. When eaten correctly, lizardfish provides several notable health benefits:

• Provides high-quality protein: Lizardfish meat is rich in protein, helping to maintain muscle, supporting body recovery, and creating a long-lasting feeling of fullness.
• Good for cardiovascular health: Lizardfish contains natural omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to reducing inflammation, supporting stable blood lipid levels, and benefiting the cardiovascular system.
• Supplements essential minerals: The calcium, phosphorus, and selenium content in lizardfish helps strengthen bones, support immunity, and provide antioxidants.
• Easy to digest, low in fat: Lizardfish meat is not too fatty, making it suitable for dieters, the elderly, or children.

How much does lizardfish cost per kg?

The lizardfish price ranges from approximately 40,000–80,000 VND/kg depending on the season, size, and region. Compared to its nutritional value, lizardfish is an economical choice for family meals. Seasoned or frozen lizardfish is sold for about 210,000 – 450,000 VND/kg depending on the type and brand.

Through this article, we hope you have found clear answers for what to cook with lizardfish and feel more confident when choosing lizardfish for your daily menu. If you are also interested in other high-quality dried seafood products, don’t forget to visit the Ola Squid store to explore premium options such as whole dried squid. Keep exploring our Culinary Corner at Ola Squid for more knowledge and delicious recipes!