Baked Ginger Salt Sea Bass

A gorgeous way to prepare and serve fish for special occasions and Christmas mealtimes. As seen on the Hallmark channel.

Baked Ginger Salt Sea Bass for Christmas

Ingredients

Serves 4-6

SAUCE

  • 5 Tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 Tablespoons mirin
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 (1.5 inch) knob fresh ginger, peeled and finely julienned
  • 2 teaspoons roasted sesame seeds
  • ½ teaspoons grated or minced garlic
  • large pinch of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), or a few slices of fresh red chilies, if you like

FISH

  • 1 large whole seabass, cleaned an gutted (3lbs about)
  • 5 thick slices of ginger, cut on an angle
  • 5 large cloves of garlic, smashed
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
  • 3 cups coarse salt
  • 1 egg white

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Wash the fish well and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff the cavity with the thick slices of ginger and garlic. Rub the outside of the entire fish with vegetable oil.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together the salt and egg white. Add a dash of water until the mixture becomes pasty like sand and sticks together.
  3. On a baking sheet, spread out a layer of salt approximately the size of the fish about a quarter of an inch thick. Place the fish on top, and scoop the rest of the salt over and around the fish. Make a ¼ inch thick “shell” around the fish, creating a tight seal, leaving the tail and the head exposed.
  4. Place in oven and bake for about 30 – 40 mins, and let rest for 10 mins. Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature, should read about 145 degrees F.
  5. Meanwhile, make the soy ginger sauce. In a small bowl whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, ginger, sesame seeds, garlic and chili flakes. Set aside.
  6. When the fish is done. Crack open the crust, and remove the fish, and serve immediately with soy ginger sauce on the side or drizzled on top.

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@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageDid you know Koreans prefer to raw fish totally differently than Japan? 🍣🇰🇷

In Korea, it’s called hoe (회, pronounced hwe) — sliced thinner, eaten straight from the ocean, and traditionally dipped in spicy-sweet chojang (gochujang + vinegar) instead of soy sauce+ wasabi. Sometimes even wrapped in lettuce with garlic + perilla for that bold Korean flavor. 🌶️🥬

🇰🇷 Korean Hwe vs. Japanese Sashimi

•⁠ ⁠Texture: Koreans prefer raw fish firm + chewy (served right after it’s caught in the rigor mortis stage). Japanese sushi leans tender + buttery after resting and aging.
•⁠ ⁠Freshness: Hwe is all about immediacy — caught, sliced, and served for that bouncy bite.
•⁠ ⁠Fish: Korea favors lean white fish like fluke (gwang-eo) + sea bream (domi). Japan prizes fatty tuna (toro) + salmon (sake). 
•⁠ ⁠Flavor: More chewing = more flavor release. Koreans prize this sweet, deep taste that develops as you chew. Sashimi melts on the tongue.

This prized chewiness even has its own word: 쫄깃쫄깃 (jjolgit-jjolgit) — that springy bite Koreans love in raw fish, rice cakes (tteok), and noodles (jjolmyeon).

At Seoul’s famous Noryangjin Fish Market, you’ll find it all: delicate flounder, whole grilled mackerel, fiery stews, and even live octopus (sannakji). 🐙

And when fish is served whole, head to tail, it’s more than flavor — it’s a symbol of prosperity and unity, especially at New Year. 🎎✨

Pick your team:
🍣 Raw Hoe with Chojang
🔥 Grilled Mackerel
🐟Canned Tuna in Kimbap 

Drop your choice in the comments ⬇️ 

#JudyJoo #KoreanCuisine #KoreanFoodCulture #Hoe #Hwe #NoryangjinMarket #WholeFish #SeafoodLovers #TasteOfKorea #FoodieTravel #ViralEats #HiddenGemsKorea #쫄깃쫄깃1 day ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageWelcome back to K-Viral Kitchen — where Korea’s most iconic bites get the @judyjoochef treatment. 

Chungmu Kimbap — a seaside classic with a spicy Seoul revival. 🐙🍚🔥

This minimalist rice roll hails from the fishing town of Chungmu, where it started as a humble lunchbox from a wife to her husband at sea. 

Today, it’s a cult favorite for good reason: no filling in the roll, but all the flavor on the side. 

🍚 Baby rice rolls brushed with sesame oil
 🔥 Spicy-sweet pickled radish salad
 🐙 Marinated squid + tender fish cakes
 🌿 Finished with chives, scallions, and sesame seeds

It’s bold, briny, and balanced — with heart and heat in every bite. 

📍 Ingredients via @koreafoodsuk 
 💄 Glam by @jonesroadbeauty & @justbobbidotcom
 👩🏻‍🍳 Pro tip: Give your squid a quick ice bath after blanching — it keeps the texture just right.

💬 Comment “CHUNGMU” and I’ll DM you the full recipe
 📌 Save this for your next flavor adventure
 👯‍♀️ Tag someone who’d be all over this spicy seafood platter 

#KviralKitchen #ChungmuKimbap #JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #KoreanStreetFood #RiceRolls #SpicySquid #DanmujiSalad #DishesThatBrokeTheInternet #EasyKoreanRecipe #ViralKoreanFood #KRecipeReel #CoastalKoreaEats #ChefApproved #SeafoodSnacks #SeoulEats #TongyeongClassic #WomenInFood2 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageIt was a pleasure sharing my story with Bella Wu for her project “Out of the Shadows”, which spotlights women forging their own paths.

From engineering, to finance, to reinventing myself through the kitchen, food media, and television — my journey has always come back to joy, authenticity, and embracing both wins and failures. 

Today, success feels quieter: peace, the people I love, and the simple things beyond the spotlight.

And, I’m so proud of Bella — Even while still in high school, she has already founded evermorehues, a sustainable candle company that supports female entrepreneurs. Her creativity and drive at such a young age are truly inspiring.

Thank you Bella and the @outoftheshadows.bw community for sharing my story. 💛

#OutOfTheShadows #WomenInLeadership #AuthenticJourney #KoreanFood #JudyJoo #KQuick #KoreanFoodMadeSimple #SeoulBird #KoreanCuisine #Korea #Korean3 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imagePart of my K-Quick Recipe Series — quick, bold Korean dishes from my newest cookbook!
Savory. Earthy. Umami heaven 🍲🔥

My comfort stew of choice — loaded with tofu, courgette, potatoes, and spicy chilies. Serve it with rice or next to a sizzling BBQ spread.

I make this warming little stew on repeat—it’s a bubbling bowl of comfort that’s as nourishing as it is bold. I always sneak in extra tofu (my fave!), and if you can get your hands on Korean zucchini, do it—they’re sweeter, crunchier, and totally up the game. Trust me, this one’s a hug in a bowl with serious flavor cred.

Comment Umami for the recipe.

Save this for your cozy night rotation 🍲🔥

💡: @samsunguk
 🛒: @koreafoodsuk
 📚: K-Quick — From my latest cookbook, K-Quick — link in bio if you want the full collection!

@quartobooksuk @quartobooksus @whitelionpublishing
#JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #KQuick #KoreanRecipes #KoreanSoulFood #SamsungUK #SamsungKitchen #KoreanCooking #Korea #Seoulplaza #DoenjangJjigae #KoreanStew #Umami #tofustew6 days ago via Instagram
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