How to Choose Fresh Fish?

Ah! buy fresh fish? Maybe not. That would be my first response as a younger Millennial Singaporean homeowner. Buying fresh fish is a daunting experience. Unlike older generations who are familiar with wet markets, younger people like myself may have grown up primarily shopping in supermarkets. This shift means they might feel less comfortable or confident in wet markets, where bargaining or assessing freshness is common.

Preparing fresh fish can seem intimidating for those without much cooking experience. Dealing with whole fish, descaling, and filleting requires skills that many younger people may not have or want to learn.

However, buying fresh fish versus frozen, packaged fish each has its advantages. Fresh fish generally has a more delicate texture and vibrant flavour compared to frozen fish. When fish is consumed soon after being caught, it tends to have a firmer, more succulent texture, which enhances the eating experience.

Fresh fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential nutrients that may degrade slightly with freezing. While freezing preserves most nutrients, fresh fish can sometimes retain a marginally higher nutrient profile, especially if eaten shortly after purchase.

Buying fresh fish from local fishmongers or wet markets often means supporting local fishermen, which can promote sustainable practices and benefit the local economy. Additionally, local fishmongers may provide information on where the fish is sourced, allowing you to make more environmentally conscious choices.

Willing to try buying yourself some fresh fish now?

Singapore offers a variety of places to buy fresh fish, ranging from traditional wet markets to supermarkets and specialised fishmongers. Here are some popular places to buy fresh fish in Singapore:

1. Wet Markets

Tekka Market (Little India): Known for its vibrant selection of fresh seafood, including a wide variety of fish.

Chinatown Complex Market (Chinatown): One of the largest wet markets, with a great selection of seafood at reasonable prices.

Tiong Bahru Market (Tiong Bahru): Offers a good range of fresh fish, and the vendors are knowledgeable about different types.

Geylang Serai Market (Geylang): A popular spot with a large seafood section that includes a variety of fresh fish and other seafood.

2. Supermarkets

NTUC FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra: Many FairPrice outlets, especially FairPrice Finest and Xtra, carry a decent selection of fresh fish and often work directly with local suppliers.

Cold Storage: Known for its selection of imported seafood, Cold Storage offers both local and international fish varieties.

Sheng Siong: A more affordable option, Sheng Siong has outlets with a fresh seafood section, including live fish tanks in some locations.

Market Fresh sections at Giant stores: Giant hypermarkets offer fresh fish in addition to packaged seafood.

3. Specialty Fishmongers and Online Shops

The Fishwives: Sells high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood, including wild-caught fish from New Zealand and Australia.

Dishthefish: Offers both online and physical shops and is known for its responsibly sourced fish and seafood.

Swee Chioh Fishery: A family-run business that sells fresh seafood online, including wild-caught and farmed fish.

Tankfully Fresh: An online fishmonger that offers same-day delivery and a wide selection of fresh fish.

4. Pasir Panjang Fishery Port

For early risers, the Pasir Panjang Fishery Port opens to the public in the early morning hours (typically from 2-4 AM). It’s a wholesale market, so you’ll need to buy in bulk, but the prices are excellent, and the selection is vast.

These options provide a variety of fresh fish and other seafood, suitable for different tastes and budgets. If you prefer convenience, many of these places also offer online ordering and delivery services.

How to Choose Fresh Fish?

1. Gills

When choosing fish, we are told to always check the gills. They must be red or the fish is not fresh.

The gills of a freshly caught fish are bright red, but will darken over time. However, they should not be dark red or brownish red.

2. Colour

They should be a bright colour and not slimy. They should be clean and cold. Mucus builds up with age.

3. Eyes

The eyes should be bright, plump and shiny, not sunken and cloudy. Cloudy eyes means that deterioration has set in.

4. Fins and tail

The fins and tail must not be torn or ragged, showing poor handling after the fish was caught.

5. Flesh

The flesh of a fresh fish is firm. When pressed, it should spring back to its natural shape. Soft flesh means the fish is not fresh.

6. Scales

The scales should also be shiny and firm, and should not come off when you run your hand over them.

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Part this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 21, 2017, with the headline 'How to choose fish'.