Fish Manchurian Recipe: Fish Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese dish known for its delicious, tangy and spicy taste. This dish is a perfect combination of crispy fish balls coated in a fragrant, aromatic sauce that will satisfy your taste buds. It is often served as an appetizer or main course in restaurants, but you can easily make it at home with a few simple ingredients. In this article, we will guide you through a step-by-step Fish Manchurian recipe that you can enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients for Fish Manchurian Recipe:

To make Fish Manchurian, you will need fresh fish fillets from your kitchen and a few basic ingredients. Here is a list of everything you need:
For the fish balls:
500g fish fillet (boneless, white fish such as tilapia or basa)
2 tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp all-purpose flour (flour)
1 small onion (finely chopped)
2-3 garlic cloves (minced)
1/2 tsp ginger (crushed)
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
1-2 green chillies (finely chopped)
Oil for frying
For the Manchurian sauce:
1 tbsp oil
1 small onion (finely chopped)
1-2 green chillies (sliced or chopped)
1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp red chilli sauce
1 tbsp tomato ketchup
1/2 tsp vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tsp spoon cornflour (mix with water to make a slurry)
Salt to taste
Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
Step by step Fish Manchurian Recipe:
- Prepare the fish balls:
Start by cleaning the fish fillets and removing any bones. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Cut the fish into small pieces or use a food processor to grind into a smooth paste. Transfer the fish paste to a bowl.
To the fish paste, add finely chopped onion, garlic, ginger, green chilies, and salt. Mix everything well. Gradually add the cornflour and all-purpose flour to the mixture. The flour helps bind the fish mixture together and gives the balls a crispy texture when fried.
Shape the mixture into small balls, about 1-inch in diameter. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully fry the fish balls until golden brown and crispy. Remove the fish balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain the excess oil.
- Prepare the Manchurian sauce:
In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil. Add the finely chopped onions and fry them until they are translucent. Add the ginger-garlic paste and fry for another 1-2 minutes until the raw smell disappears. Add the green chillies and cook for a few seconds.
Now, pour in the soy sauce, red chilli sauce and tomato ketchup, stirring to combine. Add vinegar for a tangy flavour. Pour in the water and bring the sauce to a simmer.
Once the sauce has boiled, add the cornflour slurry to thicken it. Stir continuously to avoid lumps. Let the sauce cook for another 2-3 minutes until it reaches a smooth consistency. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt or additional chili sauce if necessary.
- Combine the fish balls with the sauce:
Add the fried fish balls to the prepared sauce. Gently toss the fish balls in the sauce, making sure they are well coated. Let them cook in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors. - Garnish and serve:
Once the fish balls are well coated in the sauce, garnish with fresh chopped coriander. Serve the Fish Manchurian hot with steamed rice or fried rice. You can enjoy it as an appetizer or snack with spring rolls or crispy noodles.
Tips for the Perfect Fish Manchurian Recipe:

Choose the right fish: It is best to use firm, boneless white fish such as basa, tilapia or cod. Avoid using oily fish as they do not hold their shape well during the frying process.
Fry the fish balls crispy: Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the fish balls to make them crispy and golden brown. If the oil is not hot enough, the balls may become soggy.
Adjust the spice level: If you prefer a milder version, reduce the number of green chillies or skip the red chilli sauce.
Add vegetables: You can add some finely chopped bell peppers, carrots or cabbage to the sauce for extra texture and flavour.
Fish Manchurian is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that will delight your family and friends. Whether you serve it as an appetizer or a main course, its crispy texture and rich sauce will tempt everyone even more. With these simple steps, you can bring the taste of Indo-Chinese cuisine right into your kitchen. Try it today and enjoy this mouth-watering dish.
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