Ukha

Name: Ukha
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 lb white fish (cod, pike, or perch), with bones and head if possible; 8 cups water or light fish stock; 3 medium potatoes, cubed; 1 large onion, quartered; 2 medium carrots, sliced; 1 parsnip, sliced (optional); 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp black peppercorns; Salt, to taste; 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped; 1 lemon, cut into wedges

A clear, golden fish soup perfumed with dill — the ancient riverbank meal of Russia, and the purest expression of fresh fish there is.

⏱ 25 minPrep time

🔥 45 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 Russian KitchenCategory

☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet

Ukha is the fisherman’s soup — a crystal-clear broth of white fish, potatoes, and root vegetables that tastes of rivers, campfires, and cold air. The finest ukha is made from freshly caught fish, heads and all.

Served piping hot with a scattering of dill and a wedge of lemon, ukha is a warm-weather tradition along Russia’s waterways. Purists insist on a shot of vodka alongside — the perfect pair to a steaming bowl.

Russian recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Simmer the fish bones, head, onion, and peppercorns in the water for 30 minutes, then strain the stock.
Return the stock to the pot, add the potatoes and carrots, and simmer until nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
Cut the fish fillets into large pieces, add them with the bay leaves, and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until just cooked.
Season with salt, scatter with dill, and serve with lemon wedges.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Cook the fish gently and never let the soup boil hard once the fillets are in. For the clearest broth, skim the surface and strain through cheesecloth.

Recipe details

Prep25 min

Cook45 min

Servings6

CategoryRussian Kitchen

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Ukha

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

Rate this recipe

Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Log In

Get free recipes every week

Ukha

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

Rate this recipe

Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Join the conversation

Keep browsingYou might also like

Beef Stroganoff

Napoleon Cake Russe

Zharkoye

Log In