Pan-Seared Saury with Popping Roe
A Fun and Delicious Grilled Saury Recipe with Bursting Roe
This recipe recreates the delicious image of saury grilled golden brown on a stall at Jumunjin Port market on the East Sea, which is in season right now. I tried pan-frying it, and when the roe inside cooked, it popped and splattered outwards – I thought a war had broken out! *Handle with care*. The unique texture of the popping roe makes this a fun and flavorful dish.
Ingredients- 6 Saury fish
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (to remove fishiness and enhance flavor)
- Pinch of coarse sea salt (for seasoning)
- Vegetable oil (for greasing the pan)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Saury fish do not have scales, so rinse them thoroughly under running water. Pat them completely dry with paper towels, as excess moisture can cause oil splatters. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of mirin evenly over the prepared saury and let it marinate for 10 minutes. Mirin is excellent for removing any fishy odor and adding a savory depth.
Step 2
After 10 minutes, gently pat off any excess moisture from the mirin with fresh paper towels. This step helps to ensure a cleaner surface for frying, leading to a more delicious result.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to start cooking. Heat a frying pan over medium-low heat and add a generous amount of vegetable oil. Once the pan is moderately hot, carefully arrange the prepared saury fish in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other for even cooking.
Step 4
Once the bottom side of the saury is golden brown and crisp, gently flip them over using a spatula or tongs. Continue to cook until both sides are beautifully golden brown and cooked through. You want a nice crispy exterior and a tender, flaky interior.
Step 5
If the saury has roe inside its belly, be extra cautious as the roe can pop and splatter oil. Maintain medium-low heat and place the saury belly-side down in the pan to cook the roe. To prevent splattering, it’s advisable to loosely cover the pan with paper towels or a lid. The delightful popping sound of the roe as it cooks adds to the experience!
Step 6
Once both sides are perfectly golden brown and the roe is cooked through and deliciously popped, your dish is ready! Transfer the hot, freshly grilled saury to a serving plate and enjoy this delightful crispy and tender saury with its unique popping roe texture.
