Fried Fish

Fried fish refers to any fish or shellfish that has been prepared by frying. Often, the fish is covered in batter, or flour, or herbs and spices before being fried.

Fish is fried in many parts of the world, and fried fish is an important food in many cuisines. For many cultures, fried fish is historically derived from pescado frito, and the traditional fish and chips dish of England which it inspired. The latter remains a stable take-out dish of the UK and its former and present colonies. Fried fishcakes made of cod (and other white fish, such as haddock or whiting) are a widely produced seafood available in the frozen food sections of U.S. grocery stores and at fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald's Filet-O-Fish. Long John Silver's, Skipper's, Captain D's, and Arthur Treacher's are well-known North American chain restaurants that serve fried fish as their main food offering. Catfish are also a prevalent farm-raised type of fish that is often served fried throughout the world. A classic fried fish recipe by the French is the Sole meunière.

Community fish fries are popular in the southern region of the United States. These social gatherings may center around a church, a civic organization or serve as a fundraiser for a club, volunteer fire department, a school or other organization. In the U.S., especially the Upper Midwest, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic states, community fish fries are slightly popular, sometimes having a religious connection when held in church basements or lots, in observation of Lent, for example. A fish fry is generally an informal. A "shore lunch" is a tradition in northern U.S. and Canada, where outdoor enthusiasts cook their catch on the shores of the ocean, or lake depending where the fish was caught.