Until now, dried croaker fish has mostly been known for its fried dishes, right? But today, Khô bò CALI will reveal some brand-new recipes using dried croaker fish. Let’s head to the kitchen and try out 4 delicious dishes made from dried croaker fish!
Dried Croaker Fish with Garlic Sauce

Ingredients (Serves 2):
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Dried croaker fish: 1 kg
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Shallots: 2 bulbs
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Garlic: 2 cloves
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Bird’s eye chili: 2
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Roasted peanuts: 1 tbsp
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Fish sauce: 4 tbsp
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Vinegar: 1 tsp
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Palm sugar: 30g (1 piece)
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Cooking oil: 315 ml
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Start by using a knife to split the dried croaker fish in half lengthwise along the belly, then remove the bones.
Next, peel the garlic and shallots. Finely mince the garlic, thinly slice the shallots. Remove the seeds from the chili, then finely chop them as well.
Step 2: Fry the dried fish
Place a pan on medium heat with 300ml of cooking oil. Once the oil begins to bubble slightly, add in 1kg of dried croaker fish. Fry for about 10–13 minutes until both sides turn golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the garlic sauce
In another pan, add the remaining 15ml (1 tbsp) of oil along with the minced garlic, chopped chili, and sliced shallots. Sauté until fragrant.
Then, add 4 tbsp of fish sauce, 1 tbsp of crushed roasted peanuts, 30g (1 piece) of palm sugar, and 1 tsp of vinegar.
Stir the sauce for about 5–7 minutes, then add the fried dried croaker fish and continue stirring for another 5–7 minutes. Once the fish absorbs the sauce and is evenly coated, adjust the seasoning to taste and remove from heat.
Final Result:
Now it’s time to plate and enjoy your flavorful garlic-glazed dried croaker fish! This dish is a perfect choice for a weekend treat.
The dried croaker fish is crispy and golden, coated with a savory-sweet sauce that’s incredibly appetizing. For an extra kick of flavor, try topping it with a bit of toasted garlic—it makes the dish even more aromatic and delicious!
Dried Croaker Fish Simmered in Garlic Fish Sauce

Ingredients (Serves 3):
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Dried croaker fish: 300g
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Garlic: 4 cloves
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Bird’s eye chili: 2
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Chili sauce: 1 tbsp
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Vinegar: 1 tbsp
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Fish sauce: 1 tbsp
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Cooking oil: 7 tbsp
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Sugar: 2 tbsp
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the sauce
In a small bowl, mix together 1 tbsp water, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1 tbsp vinegar, and 2 tbsp sugar. Stir until well combined.
Step 2: Fry the dried fish
Heat 4 tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil starts to sizzle, add 300g of dried croaker fish and fry for 10–13 minutes until both sides are golden and crispy. Remove from pan and set aside.
Step 3: Simmer the fish
In another pan, heat 3 tbsp of oil. Add the minced garlic (4 cloves) and chopped chili (2 chilies), and sauté until fragrant. Then pour in the sauce mixture and stir for about 3 minutes.
Finally, add the fried dried croaker fish to the pan and simmer for 7–10 minutes, allowing the fish to fully absorb the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then remove from heat and serve.
Final Result:
So, what do you think of this dried croaker fish simmered in garlic fish sauce? At Điện máy XANH, we’re absolutely hooked on it!
Each crispy bite of dried croaker fish is coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce, with a gentle kick of heat from the chili and garlic. This dish is guaranteed to be a rice-scooping favorite at your table!
Dried Croaker Fish Simmered in Tamarind Sauce

Ingredients (Serves 3):
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Dried croaker fish: 200g
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Tamarind: 20g (1 pressed portion)
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Garlic: 2 cloves
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Cooking oil: 230ml
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Sugar/MSG: a pinch
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the tamarind sauce
In a bowl, combine 20g of tamarind with 70ml of hot water. Use a spoon to gently press and stir until the tamarind dissolves, then strain out the solids, keeping only the tamarind juice.
Add ½ tsp of MSG and 4 tsp of sugar to the juice and stir until fully dissolved.
Step 2: Fry the dried croaker fish
Heat 200ml of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, fry the 200g of dried croaker fish for 10–13 minutes, until both sides are golden and crispy. Remove and drain excess oil.
Step 3: Simmer the fish
In another pan, heat 30ml (2 tbsp) of oil and sauté 2 finely chopped garlic cloves until fragrant. Add the tamarind sauce and stir for about 3 minutes.
Then, add the fried dried croaker fish to the pan and simmer for 15–20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then turn off the heat and serve.
Final Result:
And that’s it—your dried croaker fish simmered in tamarind sauce is ready to serve! Just a few simple tweaks can elevate your family meal to the next level.
The crispy dried croaker fish pairs perfectly with the tangy, sweet tamarind sauce and the bold aroma of garlic. It’s simply irresistible—best served hot with a bowl of steaming white rice!
Steamed Dried Croaker Fish with Pork Belly

Ingredients (Serves 2):
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Dried croaker fish: 100g
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Pork belly: 100g
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Shallots: 5 bulbs
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Bird’s eye chili: 2
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Green peppercorns: 20g
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Annatto oil: 1 tbsp
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Basic seasonings: a pinch (salt, sugar, MSG)
How to Choose Fresh Pork Belly:
High-quality pork belly should have a natural pinkish color with no dark spots, discoloration, or black specks.
When pressed, it should feel firm and springy, not slimy or overly soft.
For the best flavor, fresh pork belly is recommended over frozen.
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the ingredients
Rinse the dried croaker fish with clean water and let drain. Gently rub the pork belly with salt, then rinse thoroughly.
Cut the dried fish in half and chop the pork belly into bite-sized pieces.
Peel the shallots and slice thinly. Cut the chilies into short segments.
Step 2: Marinate
In a mixing bowl, combine 100g of dried croaker fish, 100g of pork belly, 5 sliced shallots, 2 chopped chilies, 20g of green peppercorns, ⅓ tsp MSG, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tbsp annatto oil.
Mix well and let the ingredients marinate for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Step 3: Steam
Transfer all the marinated ingredients to a small clay pot and place it in the top tier of a steamer.
Add 200ml of water to the lower tier of the steamer, cover, and steam over low heat for 60 minutes, until the dried fish and pork belly are fully cooked and tender.
Final Result:
Your steamed dried croaker fish with pork belly is ready to enjoy! The moment the rich aroma fills the kitchen, it’s sure to draw everyone in.
Tender dried fish meets juicy pork belly, all infused with savory spices. The sauce is mildly spicy, with the kick of green peppercorns adding a unique twist. It’s the perfect dish to pair with a steaming bowl of white rice—don’t wait, dig in!
Buy Premium Dried Croaker Fish at Khô Bò CALI – Rich Flavor, Authentic Quality!
If you’re looking for high-quality dried croaker fish to make delicious dishes like fish rimmed with garlic fish sauce, tamarind sauce, or steamed with pork belly, then Khô Bò CALI is the perfect choice you shouldn’t miss.
At Khô Bò CALI, our dried croaker fish is carefully selected from the freshest catches, naturally sun-dried to perfection, retaining the right chewiness and natural sweetness—completely free from preservatives.
👉 Guaranteed quality – Traditional flavor – Nationwide delivery available.
👉 The more you buy, the better the price – Perfect for family meals or as a meaningful gift.
Order now via Khô Bò CALI’s Fanpage or call our hotline for personalized support and exclusive offers!


