Japanese-Style Fried Smelt
Japanese-style fried smelt—crispy, light, and full of flavor. A quick and delicious seafood snack. Try this easy recipe today!
Japanese-Style Fried Smelt
By Walleye Direct
Prep time:
30 minutes
Cook time:
20 minutes
Servings:
4
Ingredients
- 1 pound of smelt, gutted
- 1 to 2 cups of vegetable oil
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. fine sea salt
- Lemon wedges
- Thinly sliced radishes
- Cooked jasmine rice, optional
- For Dipping Sauce:
- 2 tbs. soy sauce
- 2 tbs. mirin
- 2 tbs. mentsuyu noodle soup base
- 2 tbs. of water
- ½ tsp. sugar
Instructions
- Combine dipping sauce ingredients and set aside.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, combine flour and sea salt. In a wok or frying pan, heat frying oil to 350° Fahrenheit.
- Toss smelt in the flour mixture to lightly coat, shaking off excess. Deep fry coated smelt in batches until crispy and lightly golden; allow the oil to come back to temperature before adding each new batch. Drain fried smelt on paper towels or lined cooling rack.
- Lightly squeeze lemon juice over the fried smelt, and serve immediately with the dipping sauce, sliced radish and cooked white rice (optional).
