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What it is
Sea bass is a lean white fish with a delicate flavour and a fine flake. We prepare it to order at the counter, whole and scaled and gutted for roasting, or filleted skin on for the pan. Farmed and wild in season, priced by weight, scaled, filleted and pin-boned by hand at no charge.
Why choose it
Sea bass is the fish for a clean, quick supper and for roasting whole when you want something that looks the part with almost no work. The skin crisps to a crackle and the flesh stays delicate, so it suits Mediterranean and Asian flavours equally.
How it tastes
Delicate, slightly sweet and clean, with a fine tender flake. Wild sea bass is firmer and deeper in flavour, farmed is milder and softer. The skin is thin and crisps well, which is half the reason to cook it. The flesh is lean so it cooks fast and dries out if you push it.
How to cook it
Roast a whole fish at 200C with lemon and herbs in the cavity, pan-fry fillets skin-side down for a crisp skin, grill or barbecue whole, or steam fillets with ginger and spring onion. Score the skin of a whole fish so it cooks evenly.
What goes with it
Lemon, fennel, dill and new potatoes. Cherry tomatoes, olives, capers and a splash of white wine. Soy, ginger, chilli and sesame for a steamed direction.
How long it takes
A skin-on fillet pan-fries in 3 to 4 minutes skin-side down and a minute on the flesh, a whole fish roasts in 20 to 25 minutes, and fillets steam in 6 to 8 minutes. Times vary with size.
Nutrition
Sea bass is high in protein and lean, with a moderate amount of omega 3. A typical fillet carries around 18 to 22 grams of protein. It is a good source of selenium and B vitamins.
Sustainability
Ask at the counter for the day's sourcing. We can advise on farmed versus wild sea bass and on responsibly sourced options, and suggest an alternative like sea bream if you want one.
Where to buy it
At the counter at 18 Barnes High Street, cut to order, or delivered across south west London and shipped across the UK.
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Common questions
How do I get crispy skin on sea bass?
Dry the skin well, score it, season it and lay the fillet skin-side down in a hot pan with a little oil. Press it flat for the first few seconds and leave it until the skin is crisp before you turn it.
Can I cook a whole sea bass in the oven?
Yes. Scale and gut it, score the skin, fill the cavity with lemon and herbs and roast at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes until the flesh is opaque at the bone.
Is sea bass farmed or wild?
We sell both, farmed all year and wild in season. Farmed is milder and softer, wild is firmer and deeper in flavour and usually costs more. Ask at the counter for what we have.
Can I freeze sea bass?
Yes. Fresh sea bass freezes well for up to three months. Wrap it tightly, freeze it quickly and defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Can I eat sea bass raw?
Very fresh sea bass is fine to eat raw and slices thin for a ceviche or sashimi. Ask at the counter and we will cut you a piece from fish suitable for eating raw.
Is sea bass high in protein?
Yes. A typical sea bass fillet carries around 18 to 22 grams of protein and is low in fat, which makes it a lean high-protein choice.
Common questions
How do I get crispy skin on sea bass?
Dry the skin well, score it, season it and lay the fillet skin-side down in a hot pan with a little oil. Press it flat for the first few seconds and leave it until the skin is crisp before you turn it.
Can I cook a whole sea bass in the oven?
Yes. Scale and gut it, score the skin, fill the cavity with lemon and herbs and roast at 200C for 20 to 25 minutes until the flesh is opaque at the bone.
Is sea bass farmed or wild?
We sell both, farmed all year and wild in season. Farmed is milder and softer, wild is firmer and deeper in flavour and usually costs more. Ask at the counter for what we have.
Can I freeze sea bass?
Yes. Fresh sea bass freezes well for up to three months. Wrap it tightly, freeze it quickly and defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking.
Can I eat sea bass raw?
Very fresh sea bass is fine to eat raw and slices thin for a ceviche or crudo. Ask at the counter and we will cut you a piece from fish suitable for eating raw.
Is sea bass high in protein?
Yes. A typical sea bass fillet carries around 18 to 22 grams of protein and is low in fat, which makes it a lean high-protein choice.
