Here’s how I make Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dill (Chả Cá Lã Vọng)… a dish that helped me appreciate cooked fish in a whole new way. When I first started eating seafood a couple of years ago, I preferred sushi because raw fish tasted cleaner and smoother to me. Cooked fish used to feel overwhelming, especially when it had that strong “fishy” smell.

That smell is caused by trimethylamine and the oxidation of fatty acids once the fish dies. But leaner white fish like tilapia is much more neutral and approachable compared to fattier fish like mackerel or salmon.

This recipe has anti-inflammatory ingredients such as turmeric and has the signature aromatic dill. But dill is not just there for its fragrance. It contains antioxidants and compounds that have been studied for their potential to support heart health, including helping reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.

This dish is high in protein and easy to make for a weeknight dinner or meal prep for lunch!

Turmeric Fish with Dill (Chả Cá Lã Vọng)

Vietnamese Turmeric Fish with Dill (Chả Cá Lã Vọng) is a fragrant white fish dish marinated with turmeric and aromatics, then topped with fresh dill. This quick, flavorful recipe is light, protein-rich, and perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Vietnamese

Servings people

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Ingredients

1 lb white fish fillet, tilapia, cut into 1” pieces
½ Tbsp ginger, minced
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1 Tbsp shallots, minced
1 tsp fish sauce
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp turmeric
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp white pepper
½ tsp salt
6 pieces of white parts of scallions, cut in 2” pieces
⅓ onion, sliced
⅓ cup dill, chopped

Garnish

Dill
Peanuts
Lettuce
Green onions, chopped

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Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the fish with the seasonings and gently toss to coat. Marinate for 15 minutes.
1 lb white fish fillet, ½ Tbsp ginger, 1 Tbsp garlic, 1 Tbsp shallots, 1 tsp fish sauce, ½ tsp sugar, 1 tsp turmeric, ½ tsp black pepper, ¼ tsp white pepper, ½ tsp salt
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the white parts of the scallions and sliced onions, sautéing briefly until fragrant.
6 pieces of white parts of scallions, ⅓ onion
Add the marinated fish in a single layer. Sear for about 2 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Avoid flipping too often to prevent breaking the fish.
Scatter the fresh dill over the fish. Cover and cook for another 2–3 minutes, just until the dill softens and becomes fragrant.
⅓ cup dill
Garnish with chopped peanuts and serve with lettuce for freshness
Dill, Peanuts, Green onions, Lettuce

Keyword Nutrition, Quick, Seafood

Hi, I’m Tam!

I’m a Vietnamese American and the creator behind this recipe blog. I was previously a scientist but now do recipe development and content creation. I turned my love for research and food into intentional, science-backed cooking…

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