Chilean Sea Bass: Everything You Need to Know

In recent years, Chilean Sea Bass has become one of the most popular fish dishes at premium restaurants and in homes around the world. But what makes this fish so special? And where does it come from?

We will cover everything you need to know about Chilean Sea Bass in this article, so keep reading. 

What is Chilean Sea Bass?

Chilean Sea Bass is a cold-water fish that lives deep beneath the surface of the ocean. But despite the word sea bass in the name, this fish isn’t a type of bass at all, rather it is a fish by the name of Patagonian toothfish, and unfortunately, it’s a bit on the ugly side. 

Patagonian Toothfish are large, often growing over 6 feet in length, with the capability to weigh over 200 lbs.—you wouldn’t want to run into one of these on a diving trip! But their large size does make it easy to fish for them sustainably. 

Plus, Patagonian Toothfish have the ability to live over 50 years, which is impressive for a fish! Currently, they are fished exclusively from the coasts of Chile, though they do have an Antarctic cousin known as the Antarctic Toothfish. 

In the 1970s, as chefs around the world began to taste this fish, they fell in love with it, but they knew that the name had to go. Thus, Lee Lantz invented the name Chilean Sea Bass and began importing it in mass in the United States. Today, the US is the largest consumer of the fish, importing nearly 20% of what Chile produces directly to US restaurants and stores. 

What is the Difference Between Chilean Sea Bass and Patagonian Toothfish?

Patagonian Toothfish and Chilean Sea Bass are the same. The second is simply a name created to make the Patagonian Toothfish more marketable and less intimidating for potential buyers. Just imagine seeing the name “Patagonian Toothfish” on a restaurant menu! 

What Does Chilean Sea Bass Taste Like?

Chilean Sea Bass is one of the best types of fish (in our opinion) thanks to its buttery and sweet taste that makes it practically melt in your mouth. Despite its large size, this fish isn’t overwhelmingly salty or fishy tasting and instead has a mouth-watering umami flavor that is hard to resist. 

Along with the delicious taste, Chilean Sea Bass is also tender and flaky, making it truly versatile and easy to prepare using a variety of methods. 

Many people compare Chilean Sea Bass to cod, but we are here to tell you that this fish is 10x better. While cod may be a good introduction to white fish, there is nothing quite like the rich and savory flavor of Chilean Sea Bass. 

Why is Chilean Sea Bass so Expensive?

The Chilean Sea Bass is an extremely popular fish, and after being featured in the Jurassic Park film in the 1990s, it was overfished, and the species neared extinction. As a result, the fishing of the Patagonian Toothfish is controlled, and only a certain number of the fish can be fished each year. This means if you want to try the delectable buttery flavor, you’ll need to be willing to pay a bit more than you would any other type of fish. 

How Are Sea Bass Fished?

There are a couple of different methods of capturing Chilean Sea Bass. The most popular is line catching, which means the fish was caught in the ocean and is likely fresher and less likely to contain chemicals than the other types of Chilean Sea Bass.

Chilean Sea Bass is also farmed in South America, following its near extinction. While farmed fish isn’t necessarily bad, it’s important to know the rules and regulations of the farm you intend to buy from to ensure they produce a quality of fish you want to eat. 

In general, if you can’t discern where a Chilean Sea Bass fish is farmed, we recommend choosing the line-caught one to ensure quality and freshness. 

How to Prepare Chilean Sea Bass

Chilean Sea Bass is one of the most versatile fishes on the planet. Below are all the ways you can prepare it.

1. Sear

Chilean Sea Bass sears really well with just a little oil, making it an easy dish to make after a long day of work. Simply add a little olive oil to the pan and sear each side over high heat for 3-5 minutes.

2. Bake

All fish bake well, and Chilean Sea Bass is no exception. Marinate your fillets with miso or lemon and then bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through. 

3. Fried

Chilean Sea Bass can be fried, but honestly, this fish is so good seared or baked that we recommend reserving frying other, tougher types of fish that need the extra help to become tender!

4. Steamed

Steam your Chilean Sea Bass for 15 minutes using just a pan with a lid and a little bit of butter.

Can You Eat the Skin of Chilean Sea Bass?

It is possible to eat the skin of Chilean Sea Bass, but it won’t taste nice unless it is cooked to the point where it is crisp. You can do this via pan-frying and ensuring the skin comes in contact with the pan for a few minutes or until crispy. Steamed and baked Chilean Sea Bass skin doesn’t generally taste good, so you’ll want to skip eating it when using these cooking methods. 

Where Can You Buy Chilean Sea Bass

Chilean Sea Bass is considered a specialty product, and as such, it isn’t available in all stores. While you can always check your local grocery store, we recommend ordering online to ensure you get the freshest line caught Chilean Sea Bass possible!

Kolikof Caviar and Gourmet is a premium online seafood company that can ship Chilean Sea Bass filets and all the fixings you need to your door in just 48 hours. That’s the Kolikof difference!