River Cobbler, What's Your Views On This Fish?

[RATTER15]

There as been a lot of controversy about this fish. I stopped eating it a couple of years ago but started eating it again now, its a reasonably tasty bit of fish at a fair price.

[EDDIE51]

Vietnamese catfish.

[Baldric]

As I have no idea what it is, I really can't comment.

[Islay]

Yeah its one of the few fish I enjoy as its not a fishy fish.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't recall ever having tried it. But I recall the warning that the Vietnamese river it lived in was a poisonous environment and that it wasn't advisable to eat it.

[RATTER15]

Well I think the fish are reared in the Mekong Delta, being a highly polluted river in Vietnam. Surely the fish are regularly tested for pollutants.

[Buenchico]

It's acceptability might vary with the cooking technique used.

IMO, it doesn't take too well to 'aggressive' cooking. For example, the mobile chippie van that serves nearby villages was trying to promote it and, as I'd not tried it battered and fried, I decided to give it a go; I loathed it! It also seems to dry out far too quickly if it's baked or grilled. However it might well be ideal for poaching.

[Tilly2]

I won't eat it.

[rockyracoon]

I've tried it a couple of times and I really don't like it.

[RATTER15]

I see it as a very cheap smoked haddock, but clearly not as tasty. we usually cook it in the oven wrapped in foil with a nob of butter.

[Old_Geezer]

A quick google found this. No idea how accurate it is. Sounds like it might be nice steamed.

[DTCwordfan]

(half a pound of butter - and loads of herbs?)

[NoMercy]

I've never fancied it. Give me salmon or swordfish any day.

[Togo]

Vile stuff, cobblers really, now a cod loin, or a piece of halibut is worth the cost.

[sandyRoe]

Is it sold as Basa Fillets? I like it but didn't know where it came from.

[EDDIE51]

Yes Basa is another name for it.
Tasteless , which is why it is often sold in something like 'Chilli sauce'

[Palustris]

We like it. cooked in foil with various herbs and spices. And the source is not as polluted as the North Sea which is where a lot of the fish people mention come from. Nor is it as dangerous to eat as farmed salmon and trout which are full of antibiotics.

[RATTER15]

Eddie, I certainly dont see it as tasteless and I have never seen it served with any sauce, we get ours from Tesco from the fresh fish counter, just smoked.

[DaisyNonna]

Never come across it in my part of the world

[hc4361]

It is often sold frozen and battered and described as 'white fish' on the front of the packaging.
I have eaten it in a local pub when it was sold as 'traditional fish and chips'. No mention of it being river cobbler, basa, Vietnamese catfish and I stupidly assumed it was traditional cod. Hated it and reported the outlet to trading standards who made them change their menu.

I just don't like the texture.

[hc4361]

Also called panga.