A fish by another name

[Fishy]

In the shops I see fish that looks nothing like it's description.

For example NTUC sell 'halibut', and yet it looks to me more like tilapia fillets or similar. In my experience halibut is meaty and white, this is pink if not red in parts, 1/4" thick, and off a circa 12" long fish.

Takashimaya sell 'Sole fish', which looks exactly the same as the 'halibut' above.

Also, what's with all the restaurants selling 'Dory fish'. Is this really John Dory? Just, I don't really expect to see one of the most expensive fish in Europe, being sold breaded and with chips in streetside bars as finger food.

I appreciate that different places give fish different names (don't even get me started on much of the 'Dover Sole' sold in New York), but it is very confusing.

Now, about cod...! 

[Old Mike]

"Dory" here is most likely " Cream Dory" one of the cheapest fish you see in C.S.

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Oh, I saw a terrific book the other day in Popular, but I was in a rush so didn't want to queue to buy it. It looks like it's locally produced, it's basically an encyclopedia of local seafood, with photos, names, descriptions and likely uses. I want this book - I'm always stumped at the market and half the time just try my luck with whatever looks like what I'm supposed to be cooking.

Sorry I don't have the title or author.

[AFBAN]

Lili, it your public duty (no less) to go and find out what that book is called, so that we can all check it out! 

[Lili Von Shtupp]

I accept this duty that has been handed to me and shall report forthwith...stand by...

[cod]

So whats cod called here?

We usually buy seabass and thats it.  Ive never seen Dory sold in supermarkets other than  cold storage(unless its called something different). 

Please enlighten me.  I like Dory as its nice and light.

[AFBAN]

Well the 'cod' here, is called cod, but is not cod as I know it in Europe. The cod here is from Alaska (Takashimaya), and has a bold black and white almost checkerboard skin. European cod has a uniform smooth silver/greeny skin.

If the sea-bass here is sea-bass as in Europe then I might be happy to cook that pretty often... it is a damned fine and versatile fish.

My bird and I went for brunch at the Hilton this w/e (it was very good!). One dish was steamed Dory, and it was very tasty indeed.

p.s. John Dory (unrelated to the kind of local Dory above?) is a fish that you rarely see on menu's in the UK, and when you do it is always very very expensive.

Confused, you will be, well I am! ... 

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Status report: I went back to Popular over the weekend and (sigh) didn't find that book anywhere (I even checked the pets section  ). I will keep looking, though, as I want one for myself. When I find it I will post...

[stevec]

i can help out lili here and give the books that you need.

1. Know your seafood by Lim Chuan Fong & Johnson Lee.  ISBN 981-04-2622-4.  the book has photos and the various names of the majority of local fish available in the wet markets of singapore.  it also contains a bunch of local recipes.

2. Seafood of South East Asia by Alan Davidson.  ISBN 1-58008-452-4.  This a more comprehensive guide but the pictures are hand drawn in black and white.  detailed explanations are given for each species as well as the local names.  there is also a cookery section at the back.

I have them both and reckon the first book does the trick for helping you identify the fish

hope this helps folks

[2Basil]

Ooh, good work Steve, thanks for that!

I will deffo have to go and find that book now.

[glossy glam]

I brought frozen 'talipa' from Giant a while ago and broke out in a very strange nasty rash after eating it.  I'm not really a break-out rash kind of girl but that got me worried about the toxins in the water where some of this fished is farmed.

[veggie lover]

Anything like those books for local vegetables?

[Lili Von Shtupp]

Steve C, what a guy! Thanks for that. I'm still looking for a copy but it's easier now I know exactly what I'm looking for.

To veggie lover, wouldn't a book like that be great too? I've never seen anything like it, though.   

[stevec]

Happy to be of help.  there is also a book for vegetables.  I do not have the details with me but will track down for you and post

[veggie lover]

Thanks Stevec, that is mondo helpful!  I looked online at Borders for the Know Your Seafood book but they don't have it in their data base.  Is there a bookstore where I'd be likely to find it?