Crispy Fish Sandwich Recipe with Wasabi Tartar Sauce

A homemade fish sandwich has never been easier – or tastier! This Crispy Fish Sandwich Recipe with Wasabi Tartar Sauce gets an Asian-style makeover, packed with flavor. Plus, it’s on the table in 30 minutes!

If you are fan of fish sandwiches, you’ll also want to try these Salmon Burgers!

This is one of those recipes that I remade after a few years, and immediately thought – why did it take me so long to make this again!

These crispy fish sandwiches are so delicious, and luckily, super easy and fast to make, too. You start with an easy homemade tartar sauce that is given an Asian twist with wasabi and soy sauce. The tartar sauce alone is worth making these sandwiches over!

You’ll also add a piece of crispy fish that is coated in a panko crust and pan fried. Top it all off with some veggies, and you’ll have your new favorite sandwich!

Ingredients

For the Tartar Sauce: Most of the ingredients for the tartar sauce are pretty basic – mayonnaise, relish, soy sauce, and lime juice. The one item you might not have is the wasabi paste. It’s usually easy to find, my grocery store carries it, or you can order it online if needed.

For the Fish: You will want a firm, white fish. I used cod, but tilapia, halibut, or pollock are some others that will work. You will also need a few spices – old bay, ground ginger, and garlic powder. A couple of eggs will act as the “glue” for the crispy coating, made from panko breadcrumbs.

For the Sandwich: A good sturdy bun is your best option here. I used brioche buns, and they were a little bit soft and got soggy quickly. You’ll also need the toppings – cucumber, radish, cabbage, and cilantro.

How to Make This Crispy Fish Sandwich Recipe

STEP 1: Make your Wasabi Tartar Sauce by simply mixing all of the ingredients together. Put this in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

STEP 2: Season your fish. Sprinkle the old bay on both sides of the fish, as well as salt and pepper.

STEP 3: Now it’s time to coat the fish! Start by dredging it in the flour.

STEP 4: Then transfer the fish to the beaten eggs. You want to make sure the fish is coated so that the breadcrumbs will have something to stick to.

STEP 5: Last, the fish goes into the breadcrumbs. Coat each side well, using your hands to press it in, if necessary.

STEP 6: Shallow fry the fish in a heavy skillet over medium heat. It will cook fairly fast. You want to watch for golden brown fish.

STEP 7: Assemble your sandwiches! I spread the tartar sauce on both buns, then build by adding the fish, then the toppings, and then place the bun top back on top.

Tips and Tricks

These sandwiches are best eaten right as they are made. They will get soggy if they sit for very long.

If you like the heat from the wasabi, feel free to add more. Or add less if you don’t like the heat.

This makes a good amount of the wasabi tartar sauce. You can cut back if you’d like, but it really does add tons of flavor!

More Favorite Fish Recipes

Panko Crusted Salmon with Homemade Tartar Sauce
Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Fish Sticks

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Crispy Fish Sandwich Recipe with Wasabi Tartar Sauce

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Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Asian

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A homemade fish sandwich has never been easier – or tastier! This Crispy Fish Sandwich Recipe with Wasabi Tartar Sauce gets an Asian-style makeover, packed with flavor. Plus, it’s on the table in 30 minutes!

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Ingredients

Wasabi Tartar Sauce

• ▢ 1 cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• ▢ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon lime juice
• ▢ 1 teaspoon wasabi paste
• ▢ Salt to taste

Fish Sandwiches

• ▢ 4 (6 oz) each pieces of firm white fish (such as halibut, tilapia, or cod)
• ▢ 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• ▢ 1/2 cup flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• ▢ Vegetable oil for frying
• ▢ Fresh lime slices
• ▢ 4 firm buns
• ▢ Sliced cucumbers, sliced radishes, shredded cabbage, and cilantro

Instructions

• In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, relish, soy sauce, lime juice, and wasabi paste. Taste and season as needed with salt. Refrigerate until needed.
  1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon wasabi paste, Salt
• Sprinkle both sides of the fish with the old bay seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4 (6 oz) each pieces of firm white fish, 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• In a shallow dish, (I like to use a pie plate), combine the flour, ginger, and garlic powder.
  1/2 cup flour, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• In another shallow dish, whisk the eggs until combined.
  2 eggs
• Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third dish.
  1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Working with one piece of fish at a time, lightly coat the fish in the flour mixture. Then dip in the eggs to coat, followed by the panko. Use your hands to lightly press the panko into the fish, if needed.
• Heat about 1/4-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the fish until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to a cooling rack over a baking sheet and squeeze a slice of lime over each piece of fish.
  Vegetable oil, Fresh lime slices
• To assemble, spread the wasabi tartar sauce on the inside of the top and bottom of each bun. Place the fish on the bottom, then top with sliced cucumbers, sliced radishes, shredded cabbage, and cilantro. Place the top half of the bun on and serve.
  4 firm buns, Sliced cucumbers, sliced radishes, shredded cabbage, and cilantro

Recipe Notes:

Adapted from Every Day with Rachael Ray June 2013

I like to use pieces of fish that are about the same size as my buns.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guide. The nutritional value for the frying oil is based on a retention of 1/4 cup of vegetable oil. Cooking time and temperature can cause this number to change. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sandwich, Calories: 949kcal (47%), Carbohydrates: 52g (17%), Protein: 43g (86%), Fat: 61g (94%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 31g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 206mg (69%), Sodium: 1886mg (82%), Potassium: 848mg (24%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 5g (6%)

Keywords: crispy fish, fish sandwich recipe