Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets
Lightly battered fish fillets tossed in a vibrant Shanghai-style sweet and sour sauce for a balanced dish of tangy and savory flavors. This Chinese-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs cornstarch, egg white, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 400 g white fish fillets (such as tilapia), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 80 g cornstarch
- 1 large egg white
- for frying, about 500 ml vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
- 4 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp light soy sauce
- 100 ml water
- 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water)
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 1 large egg white until frothy, then coat 400 g white fish fillet pieces with 80 g cornstarch, dip into egg white, and coat again lightly with cornstarch for a crisp batter.
- Step 2: Heat about 500 ml vegetable oil in a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry fish pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 3: In a separate pan, combine 3 tbsp white vinegar, 4 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tsp light soy sauce, and 100 ml water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced green bell pepper and 1 medium sliced red bell pepper to the sauce and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 5: Stir in cornstarch slurry made from 1 tbsp cornstarch and 2 tbsp water to thicken sauce, cooking for 1 minute until glossy.
- Step 6: Toss fried fish fillets gently into the sauce to coat evenly. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Shanghai-Style Sweet and Sour Fish Fillets?
Chinese seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
