There are three pomfrets at our stall: Chinese pomfret (斗鲳), golden pomfret (金鲳) and black pomfret (黑鲳). Chinese pomfret is the prized fish for steaming, golden pomfret is the affordable everyday fish, and black pomfret is the one for frying and curry. Here is how to tell them apart and which to buy.
Pomfret names
| Pomfret | Chinese | Malay | Hokkien and other names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese pomfret | 斗鲳 (dou chang) | Tao chew | |
| Golden pomfret | 金鲳 | Bawal emas | Gun chew |
| Black pomfret | 黑鲳 (hei chang) | Bawal hitam | Orh chiu |
Which pomfret to buy
| Pomfret | Where from | Best cooked | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese pomfret | Indonesia, wild caught | Steamed | 400 to 800G |
| Golden pomfret | Malaysia, farmed | Steamed, pan fried, braised, grilled | 400 to 650G |
| Black pomfret | Indonesia, wild caught | Pan fried, deep fried, braised, curry | 400 to 700G |
Chinese pomfret
Chinese pomfret sits at the top for steamed fish, alongside red grouper. It is best steamed simply, with ginger, light soy sauce and hot oil. It is the pomfret everyone wants at Chinese New Year, and the price per kilo climbs steeply in the weeks before. We price it by size, and the price moves daily with the catch, so check the product page on the day you order.
Golden pomfret
Golden pomfret is farmed in Malaysia, which keeps the supply fresh and regular and the price low. It is not as fine as Chinese pomfret, but it is one of the most popular fish for a normal weeknight dinner, alongside grouper and sea bass. Steam it, pan fry it, braise it or grill it. We clean and gut it for you.
Black pomfret
Black pomfret is the one to fry. It also works in curry and braised dishes, while the other pomfrets are better steamed. It is a local favourite, very popular with the elderly and with children, and it is caught wild in Indonesia.
How to steam a pomfret
- Make two or three cuts on each side of the fish and lay it on ginger slices.
- Steam over rapidly boiling water for about 8 to 10 minutes for a 500G fish, until the flesh near the bone turns white.
- Pour away the steaming liquid, top with spring onion and coriander, then pour over hot oil and light soy sauce.
For black pomfret, pat it dry, salt it lightly and pan fry it in hot oil until both sides are crisp.
Order pomfret
See all three in our pomfret range, cleaned at our Jurong West stall and delivered islandwide, free for orders over $75. Planning a Chinese New Year dinner? Order early, because the price of Chinese pomfret climbs in the weeks before. Questions? WhatsApp Xavier.
