Make sure the fish is cleaned well. Make 2 slits cross-wise on the flesh on both sides. Soak in a bowl of water for a few minutes to make sure all blood is removed.
1 medium-size whole Pompano
Cut off the root from green onions and cut it into 3-inch pieces. Then cut them thinly and lengthwise. Soak in cold water until ready to use. Put aside the leftover tips that are too short.
2 stalks green onions
Peel the ginger and cut it into 8 batons, then take 2 batons and cut it into matchsticks, set it aside.
3- inch ginger
Take the fish out of the water and insert one to two of the ginger batons and the leftover green onions in the cavity.
On a plate or big shallow bowl big enough to fit the whole fish, spread the remaining ginger batons then place the fish on top of them. Brush the whole fish with a layer of oil including the head and tail. Sprinkle some fine salt over the fish.
4 tablespoon oil, Fine salt
In a steamer or pot fitted with a steamer stand, bring enough water to a boil over medium heat. Place the plate/bowl with fish in the steamer and steam for 8 - 10 minutes. Take out the plate/bowl of fish and check through the slits if cooked thoroughly. The meat should be opaque down to the bone.
While waiting, in a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, mirin, and water.
¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Mirin or Shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoon water
Transfer the fish to a serving plate. Pour the sauce all over the fish. Mix together ginger sticks, green onions, bell or chili pepper, and chopped cilantro and spread them over the top of the fish.
3 stems cilantro, 1 small red bell pepper or chili pepper
Heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil until very hot but not smoking. Pour this on top of the garnishing over the fish.
Serve.