Fried Fish with Balado Sambal

Here’s a flavorful Fried Fish with Balado Sambal recipe — a spicy, tangy, and deeply satisfying Indonesian/Malay dish where crispy fried fish is topped with a bold chili sambal. It’s simple but packs serious flavor.

🐟 Fried Fish with Balado Sambal Recipe

🔹 Servings: 2–4

🔹 Prep Time: 15 mins

🔹 Cook Time: 25 mins

🧂 Ingredients:

For the Fried Fish:

• 1 whole fish (like snapper, tilapia, or mackerel), cleaned and scored

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp salt

• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

• Oil, for deep frying

For the Balado Sambal:

• 8 red chilies (adjust to taste)

• 5 shallots

• 3 cloves garlic

• 2 tomatoes (ripe)

• 1 tsp sugar

• Salt to taste

• 2 tbsp lime juice or 1 kaffir lime (optional but recommended)

• 3 tbsp oil (for sautéing sambal)

🔪 Instructions:

1. Marinate & Fry the Fish:

1. Rub fish with turmeric, salt, and minced garlic. Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the fish until golden and crispy on both sides. Set aside on paper towels.

2. Prepare the Balado Sambal:

1. In a blender or mortar & pestle, coarsely blend chilies, shallots, garlic, and tomatoes.

2. Heat oil in a pan. Sauté the chili mixture over medium heat for about 10–15 minutes until the sambal darkens and the oil starts to separate.

3. Add sugar, salt, and lime juice. Stir to combine and adjust seasoning.

3. Combine:

• Place the fried fish on a plate.

• Spoon the sambal generously over the top of the fish.

🍚 Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with steamed jasmine rice or nasi uduk (coconut rice).

• Add a side of cucumber or sautéed greens for balance.