Common name: Pangasius, Basa, Tra, Swai, Basa catfish, Royal basa, Bocourt’s catfish

Japanese name: パンガシウス

Scientific name: Pangasius bocourti Sauvage, 1880

Nigiri sushi detail: Pangasius Nigiri sushi

Characteristics:

Pangasius is found in brackish and freshwater areas from Pakistan in South Asia to Borneo in Southeast Asia. The family includes more than 30 species, including the endangered giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas ), one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world.

Pangasius, which is less familiar in Japan, is a well-known white fish in Southeast Asia, the United States, and Europe. It is used in the national dish “fish and chips” popular in the United Kingdom and Australia, and in fish curry called “អាម៉ុក” in Cambodia.

It is also inexpensive and can be used to make Kabayaki (grilled eel with soy based sauce) instead of Japanese eel (Unagi). It is often distributed in Japan under the trade name Pangasius, or simply White Fish, but may also be described as Basa, Tra, or Swai.

AEON Group, one of the largest distributors, is planning to aggressively expand sales of Pangasius in the context of the SDGs. It is characterized by its light flavor. It is recommended to be served as meuniere or sauteed with rich butter.

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