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Home » Recipes » 30 Minute Meals

Mar 2, 2022(updated Jun 9, 2022)

Ca Kho To (Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish)

4.65 from 17 votes

2 Comments

by Becca Du

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
ca kho to recipe

What I love most about food is that every dish has a story. Whenever I watch one of my favorite food shows on Netflix, every chef always has a story about how a dish reminds them of their childhood. Like literally every chef! I think it’s because childhood is one of the best times in your life where you don’t really have a care in the world. For me, there are so many dishes like that. On really cold days like today, I dream about Canh Chua and Ca Kho To.

Canh Chua is a sweet and sour tamarind soup, and Ca Kho To is Vietnamese caramelized catfish. They are very traditional Vietnamese dishes that aren’t served very often in restaurants, so if I want them, I need to make them. I haven’t gotten to writing a Canh Chua recipe yet, but I did have time for a ca kho to recipe this week! So here it is!

ca kho to recipe

What is catfish?

Catfish is not necessarily a fish that people speak fondly of. Even me. It’s a scavenger that feeds off of dead fish parts at the bottom of lakes or oceans. That’s why the meat has a natural muddy flavor. Anything you make with catfish has to have strong flavors to counteract its natural essence. That’s why this recipe is perfect. It includes fish sauce, soy sauce, and a few cloves of garlic.

What does kho mean?

Kho is a method of cooking in Vietnamese cuisine where protein such as beef, chicken, or fish is braised in fish sauce and sugar over low heat. Some popular recipes using this cooking method include thit kho, bo kho, and ca hoi kho. Not only does it make food taste so good, but it’s also an easy way to make a tasty dinner in less than an hour and requires very few ingredients.

ca kho to recipe

Making my ca kho to recipe

This ca kho to recipe is so easy to make! And yes you can do this on a weeknight. First you gotta marinate the fish for 10 minutes in soy sauce and fish sauce. Then heat some oil over medium heat. Make sure to use a small pan because you want the liquid to come up halfway up the fish. Add in your shallots and cook for a few seconds. Then add in your catfish with the marinade, coconut water, and a little more fish sauce. Bring the liquid to a boil and lower to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes and then turn the fish over and simmer for another 10 minutes. Top with black pepper and you’re done!

ca kho to recipe

Notes about this ca kho to recipe

This dish is best eaten with white rice. The rice that I have is the Nishiki Premium rice. It’s literally the best! You can also substitute with quinoa for a dinner that’s a little bit healthier. Another thing to note about this recipe is that it is NOT gluten free. To turn this into a gluten free recipe, substitute soy sauce with tamari.

Disclaimer: If you purchase anything through a link on this site, I may receive a small commission from the purchase at no extra cost to you. I also only recommend products that I would personally use. Thank you so much for the support!

ca kho to recipe

Vietnamese Caramelized Catfish (Ca Kho To)

Becca Du
This dish includes catfish braised in fish sauce and soy sauce served over a bed of rice.
4.65 from 17 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Vietnamese
Servings 4 people
Calories 135 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb catfish fillets cut into chunks
  • 1 tsp dark soy sauce
  • 2 ½ tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • ¼ cup coconut water
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 stalk green onions minced

Instructions
 

  • Marinate catfish in the soy sauce and fish sauce for 10 minutes.
  • After the fish is done marinating, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add in the shallots and cook until shiny and translucent (about 30 seconds). Then add in the garlic and coconut sugar, and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Add in the marinated catfish, the marinade, and the coconut water. Bring the liquid to a boil and lower the heat to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 20 minutes with the pan uncovered. Leaving the pan uncovered will let the fish braise and thicken the sauce at the same time.
  • After 20 minutes, flip over the fish and add in the green onions. Simmer for another 10 minutes. Spoon the sauce over the fish every 3 minutes. Once done, top it off with black pepper.
  • Serve over white rice and enjoy!

Notes

Substitute soy sauce with tamari to make this recipe gluten free.

Nutrition

Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 20gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 957mgPotassium: 497mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 87IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
Keyword ca kho to, Vietnamese caramelized catfish
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rae says

    April 3, 2022 at 3:08 am

    This is our favorite cat fish recipe! Made it for Christmas the first time and everyone has been raving. Been making this at least once month since.

    Reply
    • Becca Du says

      April 3, 2022 at 6:24 pm

      Omg! This comment made my day! I love that this is something you make once a month!

      Reply

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About Me


Hello I'm Becca! I believe any day can be made better with a bowl of noodle soup. Here you will find recipes from my Chinese/Vietnamese heritage and stories from my experience living here in beautiful LA. Grab a drink and stay awhile! Read More

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