Soak Fish in This Liquid and the Fishy Smell Disappears Completely

Fish is a nutritious food that provides high-quality protein, healthy fats, and many essential nutrients. However, one reason many people hesitate to cook fish at home is its strong fishy smell, which can easily affect the taste of a dish if the fish is not prepared properly.

Fortunately, there are several simple kitchen tricks that can help eliminate the unpleasant odor and make fish dishes more delicious.

Why Fish Often Smells Fishy

The fishy smell mainly comes from natural compounds that form as fish begins to break down after being removed from water. If fish is not cleaned carefully or stored properly, these compounds can become stronger and create an unpleasant odor during cooking.

Because of this, proper cleaning and soaking methods play an important role in improving the flavor of fish dishes.

Soak Fish in Tea Water to Remove the Odor

One simple but effective trick is to soak fish in tea water.

After cleaning the fish thoroughly, prepare a bowl of brewed tea and allow it to cool. Place the fish in the tea water and soak it for about 7–10 minutes, then remove and rinse lightly with clean water.

Tea contains natural compounds that help neutralize the fishy odor, making the fish smell fresher and taste better after cooking. Fish treated this way also tends to have firmer flesh and a more pleasant flavor.

Some cooks even add a little green tea or tea leaves when braising fish to enhance the aroma and improve the dish’s taste.

Other Liquids That Can Remove Fishy Smell

Besides tea water, several other common kitchen ingredients can help reduce fishy odor.

Diluted salt water
Soaking fish in lightly salted water for about five minutes can help remove impurities and reduce the smell, especially for frozen sea fish.

Rice-washing water
This traditional method has been used for a long time. Rice water helps remove slime and fishy odor naturally, leaving the fish cleaner before cooking.

Lemon and salt
Rubbing salt on the fish and then scrubbing with lemon can clean the surface, remove odors, and make the flesh firmer. Vinegar can also be used as an alternative to lemon.

Tips for Cleaning Fish Properly

To reduce fishy smell effectively, cleaning the fish thoroughly is essential:

• Remove the gills, scales, fins, and internal organs.

• Clean out blood clots along the backbone.

• Remove the dark membrane inside the belly, as this area often produces the strongest odor.

Once cleaned and soaked using the right method, fish can be cooked into many delicious dishes such as braised fish, grilled fish, fried fish, or soups without the unpleasant smell.

A Simple Trick for Better Fish Dishes

Fish is highly nutritious and can be part of a healthy diet, but the fishy smell sometimes discourages people from cooking it. By soaking fish in simple liquids such as tea water, rice water, or salted water, you can easily remove the odor and enjoy more flavorful homemade fish dishes.