What Does Basa Fish Taste Like?
Basa fish is slightly sweet and mild in flavor. When cooked, it is moist and white in color with a delicate texture. Basa fillets contain no bones and make a pleasant light meal.
Vietnamese basa catfish is viewed as an alternative to American catfish. People who don’t like catfish may find they enjoy basa. The fish is used in a wide variety of recipes but is often served as a fillet. In addition to its pleasant taste, basa is low in fat. A six-ounce piece of basa has about 6.9 grams of fat and 22 grams of protein. However, it is not a source of omega-3 fat.
Basa fish is farmed in the Mekong River region of Vietnam and imported into the U.S. There is some controversy as to the safety of imported basa. There have been accusations that basa are raised in polluted water, which makes it unsafe to eat. States that have banned Vietnamese basa are Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Basa is increasingly popular in North America, Europe and Australia. It is recommended that consumers and restaurants perform a thorough background check on the supply source chain before buying basa for consumption. The safety of eating basa greatly depends on obtaining it from a trusted seafood supplier.