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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Social media

@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageEvery time I see a Seoul Bird stand in full swing, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude — and our spot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was no exception. Serving up Korean fried chicken to thousands of hungry fans during the Beyoncé concert? A total “pinch me” moment. 🍗🐝✨

I used to hide my school lunches in embarrassment, hoping no one would catch a whiff of kimchi. Now? Those same flavors are center stage — devoured by the BeyHive in one of London’s most iconic arenas.

Huge thanks to the incredible @tottenhamhotspurstadium team led by @regionallondonchef and every fan who came hungry — from the stands to Club Renaissance. 💛

And of course, to the unstoppable @seoulbirduk crew and the amazing @chefandrewhales — thank you for bringing the flavor and the Seoul every single day.

#SeoulBirdUK #JudyJoo #JudyJooChef #TottenhamHotspurStadium #Beyonce #BeyHive #KoreanFriedChicken #KoreanSoulFood #StadiumEats #KoreanFood #ChefLife #WomenInFood #FullCircleMoment #Korea #LondonEats2 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageLondon, you really brought the heat this past weekend! 🔥🇰🇷

Had an absolute blast teaching at the K-Food BBQ Cook School at @tasteoflondon — it was such a joy to share the bold and totally addictive flavors of Korean BBQ with so many hungry (and K-BBQ-loving!) Londoners.

I served up one of my all-time favorites: Korean marinated beef short ribs — galbi, of course! 🥩✨

I even had the honor of meeting Korea’s Ambassador to the UK, Yoon Yeocheol — a proud moment made even better by the scent of char grilling meat in the air.

Huge thanks to everyone who came through to cook, taste, and celebrate Korean food with me — and to the brilliant @julian_d_brown_chef for bringing the BBQ magic alongside me! This is what I call BBQ with Seoul. ❤️

Big thanks to our friends at @koreafoodsuk for making it all happen, and to @hexclad_europe and @firemadeuk for keeping the setup sharp and the flames steady 🔥

You can even find the recipe in K-Quick, my latest cookbook 📚@quartobooksuk @quartobooksus @whitelionpublishing4 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageDinner at @losmochislondon LUNA—an intimate omakase-style chef’s table—was an absolute knockout. Think fiery fiestas and delicate umami whispers, all artfully plated under the glow of moonlight. 🇲🇽✨🇯🇵 And the best part? It’s all helmed by the brilliant Chef Leo, who is Filipino. I adore this beautiful collision of cultures—it’s fusion with soul.

Chef Leo @chef_leonard1 has crafted something truly transportive, with the moon as his muse (hence the name). Each course arrived with elegance, flair, and a little theatrical sparkle. The wagyu katsu sando? Pure decadence—meltingly tender, rich with flavor, and gone far too quickly. And that tuna and caviar dish? Let’s just say I didn’t leave a single glistening pearl behind. 

We ended on a high note: a soufflé crowned with a scoop of fresh wasabi ice cream. A little heat, a little sweet—chef’s kiss.

Huge thanks to the stellar team for a night that dazzled from start to finish. Already plotting my return orbit…

@markusthesleff @luna.omakase 

#LosMochisLondon #LUNAExperience #FusionDoneRight #JudyJooEats #TacoMeetsTempura #WagyuWonder #CaviarCravings #LondonEats #MexicanMeetsJapanese #ChefLife #WhereToEatLondon6 days ago via Instagram
@judyjoochef Instagram profile imageRest in peace, Anne.

We shared some incredible moments recently—whether at Citi Field or on set on “House of Knives”—and I’m still in disbelief that you’re gone. Your talent was boundless, your spirit magnetic and your passion lingered long after the plates were cleared. It’s hard to say what dazzled more—your food or your luminous energy.

I’ll never forget our last conversation… you were glowing, telling me how in love you were. You were so full of joy. That light, your light, stays with me.

#rip #anneburrell #gonetoosoon1 week ago via Instagram
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