What Does Barramundi Fish Taste Like?

For those of you who have been to Asia, then you already know about the Barramundi. It’s a very popular fish there. But, have you ever wondered what does barramundi fish taste like? It’s hard to imagine eating this fish, especially based on how it looks.

What is barramundi anyway? Well, barramundis typically have a long body with a unique upper jaw that makes it easy to identify them. The fish also has an oblique mouth so it’s not really the most beautiful animal out there.

The great news is that it’s not that bad to eat. The fish has a nice mild flavor with a succulent texture. So, if you have been wondering what it tastes like before catching it with a downrigger, then you can rest assured that it’s a tasty fish to eat.

Nonetheless, there are some factors that may affect the ultimate flavor of this fish. For example, younger fish are far tastier than aged and full-grown barramundis.

The flavor will also be determined by where the fish is caught. Ocean farmed barramundi is a bit more pungent and has a certain buttery taste that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

So, What Does Barramundi Fish Taste Like

As with most foods and meats, the barramundi flavor typically comes down to how you prepare it. For people who aren’t used to eating wild fish, you’ll need some time to get used to the flavor. But once you do, you’ll grow to appreciate the subtlety in taste and flavor associated with this fish.

Nonetheless, barramundi has a nice buttery, soft, and sweet feel to it. You’ll also be happy to know that the smell isn’t that bad either.

Although most fish like salmon and tuna have a pungent odor that can turn off even the most ardent fish lovers, barramundi is a bit different. This makes it a good choice for people who are asking what does barramundi fish taste like.

Besides, the meat from this fish is versatile. Remember it’s white fish so it can be paired with a wide range of other dishes as well. Barramundi also has a relatively long shelf life. As long as it’s stored nicely in the freezer, you can keep it for days until you are ready to cook.

How to Cook Barramundi

As noted above, the most important thing when it comes to fish is how you prepare it. The good thing is that barramundi has a lot of fat content. This may sound like a bad thing at first but it’s not.

The fat simply makes the meat versatile as far as cooking goes. You can grill the meat, sauté, fry in a pan, deep fry, or even steam.

All these cooking techniques will also determine the answer to the question what does barramundi fish taste like. For instance, a sautéed barramundi will have a different flavor palette compared to a steamed one.

However, what if you’re a beginner who is just developing a taste for wild fish? Well, the best way to enjoy barramundi would be to pan fry it. This will bring out the best possible barramundi taste description.

To do this right, start off by patting the skin a bit. This will dry out any moisture, something that will ultimately make the fish crispy after it’s cooked.

Once the fish is dry, take a stake knife and score the skin. This means making several cuts along the skin. Don’t cut too deep though.

Scoring the skin allows the heat to get in there and cook the meat. It also helps to ensure the seasoning reaches every angle of the fish. Scoring also helps to prevent the fish from drying up under the excess heat before it cooks perfectly.

You don’t need a lot of seasoning for the fish since it’s already beaming with flavor. Simple salt and pepper should be enough to get things going. You can also add some butter in there to soften the meat further and some herbs as well to deepen the flavor.

It’s highly recommended to cook barramundi under high heat. This will make it crisp and will of course cook faster. As long as the pan is super hot, it shouldn’t take more than two minutes to cook either side of the fish. But what if you want to bake it? Well, it’s still a nice way to bring out the flavor of this fish.

Although you can easily slow cook the barramundi in the oven over a long period of time, it’s advisable to just cook it under high heat for a few minutes. This will make the fish crispy which is a big plus. So, start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

After that, prepare the fish by seasoning it with salt and pepper. Add a touch of paprika for color and a few herbs as well. You can also put in some garlic and spring onions for increased taste. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes, remove it, and let the fish cool for a few minutes.

Where Can I Buy Barramundi?

Now that we have answered the question of what barramundi fish taste like, it’s time to give you details about where to buy this fish.

Barramundi is actually a popular fish so it’s easy to find it in most grocery stores and seafood markets around the world. The fish is typically sold while frozen which should make it fresh once you start cooking.

How to Clean Barramundi Fish

It’s important to clean the fish very carefully before you start cooking. This isn’t only healthy and hygienic but it also helps to maintain the flavor. Start by removing the scales.

They are quite large compared to normal fish so this may take some time. After that, run the fish in freshwater and dry it with paper towels before cooking.

In conclusion, eating the barramundi and enjoying it is possible. This popular fish has a depth in flavor that you won’t get in any other fish out there. The trick is to cook it under high heat with simple and basic seasoning.