Crispy Oven-Baked Eel
BBQ Glaze

Savor the rich, savory flavors of this crispy oven-baked eel. Marinated with aromatics and glazed with soy sauce and BBQ spices, it's an irresistible seafood delight.

Ingredients

• 1 whole sea-caught eel
• 2 stalks scallion
• 1 knob ginger
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 2 tbsp Huadiao wine
• to taste salt
• for brushing cooking oil
• for brushing dark soy sauce
• to taste dry BBQ seasoning

Instructions

1. 1Slice and debone the eel

   

   Using a cleaver, carefully slice open the raw sea-caught eel starting from the belly and debone it on the cutting board.

   Tip: Make sure to follow the natural line of the backbone to keep the fillets clean and intact.
2. 2Cut the eel into sections

   

   Take the deboned raw eel fillet and slice it down the middle into two even sections to prepare for marinating.

   Tip: Cut evenly so that the pieces marinate and cook at the same rate.
3. 3Add the aromatics

   

   Transfer the portioned eel sections into a large mixing bowl. Add in the prepared scallion segments, sliced ginger, and Sichuan peppercorns, along with salt and Huadiao wine.

   Tip: The combination of ginger, scallion, and Huadiao wine is excellent for neutralizing any unwanted fishy odors from the sea eel.
4. 4Marinate the eel

   

   Pour enough water into the bowl to fully submerge the eel fillets and aromatics. Gently mix to distribute the flavors, then set it aside to marinate for 20 minutes.

   Tip: Ensure the eel is completely submerged so it absorbs the flavors evenly throughout the marination time.
5. 5Pat the eel dry

   

   Take the marinated raw eel out of its seasoning liquid and use white kitchen paper towels to gently pat it completely dry.

   Tip: Drying the surface thoroughly ensures a better texture and helps the oil and seasoning adhere during baking.
6. 6Prepare the baking tray

   

   Line a metal baking tray with a sheet of tin foil. Use a brush or spread a generous, even layer of cooking oil across the surface of the foil to prevent the eel from sticking.

   Tip: Dont skip greasing the foil, as eel skin is delicate and can easily tear if it sticks during the high-heat baking process.
7. 7Arrange on the baking tray

   

   Line a baking tray with tin foil, brush it evenly with oil, and lay the prepped dried raw eel fillets flat across the tray.

   Tip: Oil the foil well to prevent the fish skin from sticking during the baking process.
8. 8Bake the eel

   

   Place the prepared baking tray with the eel into the preheated oven, setting top and bottom heat to 190 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.

   Tip: Ensure the oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature before inserting the tray.
9. 9Brush with oil mid-bake

   

   Take the partially baked eel out of the oven after the first baking cycle and brush an even layer of oil over the surface.

   Tip: This helps maintain moisture and enhances the crispness of the outer skin during the next baking stage.
10. 10Brush with soy sauce

    

    Take the eel out of the oven after 30 minutes of total baking time, brush a layer of soy sauce evenly over the fillets for rich coloration, and place them back into the oven to bake for another 5 minutes.

    Tip: Apply the soy sauce evenly to ensure a nice, consistent dark color across all the eel fillets.
11. 11Season with BBQ spices

    

    Take the baked eel out of the oven once more and sprinkle a generous amount of dry BBQ seasoning evenly across the surface of the glazed eel fillets, then return to the oven briefly until the spices become fragrant.

    Tip: Be careful not to bake it too long after adding the dry seasoning to prevent the spices from burning.
12. 12Slice and plate the eel

    

    Remove the finished eel from the oven, transfer it to a cutting board, and slice it up into neat bite-sized pieces. Arrange the sliced eel on a serving plate and garnish with chopped green onions.

    Tip: Use a sharp knife or spatula to keep the crispy exterior and tender texture intact while slicing.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions