# Vietnamese braised fish in clay pot (from RunAwayRice)

Video: [Braised Fish in Clay Pot (Ca Kho To)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04) by [RunAwayRice](https://www.youtube.com/@RunAwayRice).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with RunAwayRice. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$3.09 per serving, ~$6.18 for ~2 portions (assumed); saves ~$23.91* per serving (89%) vs ordering out (~$27.00*). * Estimate: 1 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 2 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario seafood entrée at ~$27, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 2 tbsp water water
- 2 tbsp fish sauce fish sauce
- 1 tsp sugar sugar
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper ground black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp sugar sugar
- 1 tbsp finely minced shallots shallots
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic garlic
- 3 red chillies red chillies
- 12 oz tilapia fillets tilapia fillets
- enough water to cover water _(amount estimated)_

## Steps

1. [0:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=27s) Combine water, fish sauce, sugar, and ground black pepper in a measuring cup to make the marinade, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. [1:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=72s) Add vegetable oil and sugar to a clay pot over low heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and turns a honey caramel color.
3. [1:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=87s) Stir in minced shallots and minced garlic to stop the caramel from cooking further, and cook for one minute.
4. [1:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=93s) Pour in the prepared marinade and give it a quick stir.
5. [1:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=98s) Add red chillies and tilapia fillets into the pot.
6. [2:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=130s) Pour in just enough water to cover the fish.
7. [2:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=134s) Simmer on low heat for five minutes.
8. [2:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=135s) Spoon the sauce over the fish several times to coat it well, then cook for another three minutes and spoon the sauce over again.
9. [2:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=141s) Increase heat to medium-high and cook for three to five minutes, spooning sauce over the fish until more than half the liquid evaporates.
10. [2:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DBEHtSA-04&t=147s) Transfer the pot to a cool burner and allow it to cook from residual heat for another ten minutes before serving.

## Equipment

- measuring cup
- spoon
- clay pot
- stovetop burner

## What the video didn't say

- servings not stated
- total preparation and cooking time not stated

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/runawayrice-vietnamese-braised-fish-in-clay-pot