Congee of any kind is one of my ultimate comfort foods, though as someone who loves seafood, fish congee is among my very favorites. This comforting dish comes through with a silken texture, made from a chicken broth base. The addition of marinated and tender-cooked fish touched with a hint of nutty sesame oil creates a very comforting and satisfying result. I sometimes order this dish in the restaurant as a side, along with other vegetables and protein dishes. However, sometimes I like to enjoy a big bowl as a main dish, especially when I’m feeling a bit unwell.
Ingredients
Like my chicken congee, fish congee is incredibly simple and relies on the freshness of some very common ingredients.
What type of rice to use
Speaking of rice, I highly recommend using short grain rice (sometimes labeled as sushi rice in the US). It’s the best type of rice for fish congee because short grain rice releases more starch. This is what makes congee have that dreamy texture we all love – the starch renders it silky and creamy. If you do not have short grain rice, medium grain rice is OK. But I would avoid long grain rice.
White fish
As for what fish to use in Chinese fish congee, choose a fresh white fish. Anything like sea bass or tilapia is ideal. Since you’ll be slicing it thin, fresh fish will make this process much easier without the fish falling apart. I usually avoid cod since it’s quite fragile and falls apart easily.
How to make fish congee
Making fish congee is super easy with an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. You can use your stovetop instead of the Instant Pot, but it will take longer. If you use the stovetop, you may require a bit more broth or water as the liquid evaporates during the cooking process. Once the congee gets its signature texture, you can then add the marinated fish, cooking it for just a minute or so until it turns white.
How to serve fish congee
Enjoy fish congee hot for the most soothing and delightful textures, tastes, and aromas, ideally with a Chinese salad or a stir-fry dish to make it a complete meal. Although you can also serve it as a light main. If you want to make it a one-pot meal, you can also add a small handful of spinach at the end along with the fish, to add color and nutrition to your meal.
More delicious side dishes
Chinese Sauteed Potato (Cumin Chili Home Fries) Vegetable Fried Rice (蔬菜炒饭) Air Fryer Garlic Green Beans Dry Pot Cauliflower (干锅菜花) Chinese Zucchini Stir Fry
