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Pesang Isda with Ginger and Pechay

A gentle fish and ginger soup with potatoes and pechay that lets the clean flavor of fresh fish stand out.

Updated August 25, 2026By Sarap Recipe Editorial
Chicken Tinola with Sayote and Malunggay Filipino recipe
Prep20 minutes
Cook30 minutes
Serves4
LevelEasy

A gentle fish and ginger soup with potatoes and pechay that lets the clean flavor of fresh fish stand out.

Ingredients

  • 800 g whole tilapia or bangus steaks, cleaned
  • 1 large onion, quartered
  • 2 thumbs ginger, sliced
  • 2 medium potatoes, quartered
  • 6 cups water or light fish stock
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 2 bunches pechay, trimmed
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • Spring onions for serving

How to cook it

  1. Bring water, onion, ginger and peppercorns to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
  2. Add potatoes and cook until almost tender.
  3. Season the broth with fish sauce.
  4. Slide in the fish pieces in a single layer. Simmer gently without stirring hard so the fish stays intact.
  5. Cook until the fish is opaque and flakes easily at the thickest part.
  6. Add pechay and cook for 2 minutes, just until wilted.
  7. Taste the broth, add spring onions and serve immediately.
Kitchen tip: Keep the soup at a gentle simmer after the initial boil. Taste near the end and adjust fish sauce or salt gradually, especially after the broth has reduced.

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