Two ways to serve the slipper fish or sand tongue fish (沙舌鱼)

This fish is very sweet and is so crunchy when deep fried. Another way to cook it is with taucu (bean paste) which goes very well with plain congee.

Tongue soles or sand tongue fish (沙舌鱼) are flat fishes similar to soles. The Malay name is ikan lidah pasir and in hokkien it is called ‘kah teh hoo’ which literally means the sole of the feet fish. I call this fish the slipper fish because it is flat and looks like slippers. The body is flat and oval tapering at the tail like an elongated tear-drop shape. The eyes are on the left side of the body. They often seen buried in sand or hovering over the surface. 

Ingredients

A fish that measures about 6 – 7 inches is best, as it will have more meat compared to smaller ones

Clean the fish and cut into smaller pieces

Season with a little salt

Heat up the oil to fry the fish

You have to be careful when frying because it breaks easily if handled too roughly

Dish up and serve

Cooking with taucu bean paste

Heat up a little oil and fry 2 tsp chopped garlic until slightly brown

Add 2 tbsp tauchew bean paste and ½ tsp sugar

Fry until fragrant

Add 100 ml water and mix well

Put in the fried fish slices

Mix thoroughly

Dish up and serve

During confinement, sprinkle some ginger strips fried with sesame oil.

Alternatively you can fry it whole

Serve it as it is

Cook the taucu sauce and pour over the fish

Garnish with chopped red chilli and spring onions to make it look attractive