Pla Pao, Thai Salted Grilled Fish
Pla Pao, or Thai salted grilled fish, is a tasty Thai street food with salted, smoky, and flavorful fish. Its crunchy salt crust and juicy inside make it perfect for fish lovers. The ingredients are simple, and you can easily mix in your favorite herbs for a personal touch!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 20 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish (sea bass, tilapia, or red snapper)
- 2-3 lemongrass stalks, smashed to release flavors
- 3-4 Cilantro roots or 1 oz cilantro stems, smashed to release flavors
- 2/3 cup coarse salt
- Water. 1-2 tablespoons or as needed to rub salt onto the fish's skin.
- 2 quarter-sized galangal slices, roughly smashed.
- 3-4 kaffir lime leaves. Add a small handful of kaffir lime leaves for extra herbaceous flavors.
- 2-3 stalk green onions, smashed lightly to release flavors
- 2-10 Thai bird chilies, as needed for spice level.
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 1+1/2 tbsp Sugar. White, brown, or palm sugar will work.
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup shallot
- 3 sprigs fresh cilantro leaves, chopped small
- 1 fresh red or green chili pepper, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Clean the fish thoroughly. Remove the scales, but leave the gills and skin on to help seal the moisture. Next, slice the belly with a sharp knife, remove the insides, rinse it all out, and then pat it dry with a paper towel. You're all set!
- 2
Insert lemongrass stalks, cilantro roots, and any of your favorite herbs into the belly of the fish. This infuses the fish with aromatic flavors.
- 3
Rub the fish lightly with water to help the salt stick. Then, coat it evenly with coarse salt. The salt will form a crust from the coarse paste during grilling.
- 4
Place the fish on a grill over medium-low heat. Grill for about 10-12 minutes on each side or until the flesh is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
- 5
Chop all the herbs into small pieces. Mix fish sauce, lime juice, and the other ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust to taste. This spicy, tangy sauce is perfect for dipping the grilled fish.