How to Choose Fresh Whole Fish for Everyday Cooking

Choosing fresh whole fish may seem quite daunting at first, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. So, here’s a simple and practical guide on how to choose fresh whole fish, using just a few basic observations, along with smell and touch. These tips are easy to follow and helpful for selecting fresh whole fish. After practising a few times, you’ll remember these simple steps by heart.

5 TIPS on How to Choose Fresh Whole Fish

Tip 1: Start with the eyes
Fresh fish should have eyes that look bright, clear, and slightly bulging. Avoid fish with cloudy, dull, or sunken eyes, as this usually means the fish is no longer fresh.

Tip 2: Check the gills carefully
Lift the gill cover and look for gills that are moist and vibrant red or pink in colour. Avoid fish with brown, greyish, or dry gills. Occasionally, you may notice a clear, jelly-like liquid around the gills — this usually indicates an extremely fresh fish, although it’s not something you’ll see often.

Tip 3: Feel the fish body
Gently press the flesh with your finger. Fresh fish should feel firm and spring back immediately without leaving a dent. Flesh that feels soft or stays indented is a sign the fish is past its prime.

Tip 4: Smell the fish
A fresh fish should smell clean and mild, similar to the sea. It should not have a strong fishy, sour, or unpleasant smell. If the odour is overpowering, it’s best not to buy it.

Tip 5: Look at the skin and scales
Fresh fish usually has shiny skin with scales that are firmly attached. Dull-looking skin or scales that come off easily may indicate the fish is not very fresh.

Watch Video on How to Choose Fresh Whole Fish:

Buy from a trusted fishmonger

A good fishmonger stores fish properly and is happy to answer your questions. Buying from someone you trust makes it much easier to consistently get good-quality fish.

My favourite fishmonger: Ah Seng at Seksyen 17 Morning Market.

Steamed Fish Recipes you may like:

If you enjoy simple steamed dishes, you may also like my steamed fish recipes, where I share light and nourishing Chinese-style meals that are easy to prepare at home. Some recipes listed below:

Steamed Whole Fish with Fragrant Garlic Soy Sauce

This Steamed Whole Fish with Fragrant Garlic Soy Sauce is my family’s favourite Chinese Style Steamed Fish recipe. You’ll love the sauce for this recipe — it’s incredibly fragrant with the crispy fried garlic and the savoury umami light soy sauce. Recipe link here.

Steamed Egg with Fish Slices

This Steamed Egg with Fish Slices is a simple, nourishing, comforting dish you can make in less than 30 minutes — perfect for everyday meals . After steaming, the egg is tender and smooth and the fish is moist, soft and tender. The lovely natural sweetness from the fish pairs very well with the soft, tender and savoury steamed egg. Recipe link here.

Teochew Chinese Style Steam Pomfret Fish with Beehoon Recipe

Teochew Chinese-style steamed fish is a flavorful dish with a savoury, tangy, and umami-rich broth. Teochew style steam fish incorporates preserved vegetables (salted mustard greens), sour plums, mushrooms, and ginger. Recipe link here.

Lemongrass Steamed Fish Recipe

The sauce for this Lemongrass Steamed Fish is light and aromatic with balanced flavours – it is savoury, sweet, and fragrant from the lemongrass and brightened with zesty kick from the lime juice. There’s also hint of heat from the added chilies. One bite and you’ll feel instantly refreshed by its lemony fragrance and sharp citrusy flavours. It takes less than 30 minutes to cook —perfect for everyday meals. Recipe link here.

Quick Checklist: How to Choose Fresh Whole Fish

When you’re at the market, keep these points in mind:

• Eyes: Clear, bright, and not sunken
• Gills: Moist and red or pink
• Texture: Firm flesh that springs back
• Smell: Fresh and mild, not fishy
• Skin: Shiny and intact
• Source: A trusted fishmonger

Why Choosing Fresh Fish Matters

Choosing fresh fish makes a big difference in flavour, texture, and overall enjoyment — especially when you’re cooking light dishes like steamed fish, soups, or stir-fries.

Fresh fish is especially important for steaming, so that there is no unpleasant smell and have better texture. Good-quality fish allows you to use keep the seasonings minimal and ensures the steamed fish taste fresh, without any fishy smell.