How to Eat Fish on the Bone

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Things You'll Need

  • Knife

  • Spoon

Fish is sometimes served whole which may mean the bones need to be removed before eating. If you're in a restaurant, the waiter should be able to do this for you if you ask. If not, you can do it yourself. Follow these steps to eat fish on the bone.

Step 1

Slice down the center of the fish from the head to the tail using a knife--a table knife is OK. Press gently until you feel the backbone and cut slowly to the tail end.

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Step 2

Slide the knife gently underneath one side of the fish along the top of the vertebrae. Lightly lift the fish meat from the bones.

Step 3

Use a spoon to aid you with the other hand and gently work your way down the fish, loosening it from the bones. Slide the fish fillet away from the bones.

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Step 4

Perform the same procedure for the other half of the fish. If the fish has been cooked properly, this should be easy.

Step 5

Turn the fish over and repeat Steps 1 through 4 for the other side of the fish. When you're finished you should have four fillets ready for eating.

Tip

Bones can be removed from the fish either before or after cooking, but after cooking is usually easier. If you’re preparing your own caught fish, the fish also needs to be cleaned and gutted before cooking. The skin can be removed either before or after cooking.

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