Skip to Content
Recipes

How Francesca Marsetti Fuses Branzino with Japanese Flavors

Our contributor shares a recipe from Italian fusion Chef, Francesca Marsetti that marries Branzino and Stracciatella with Teriyaki Sauce.

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce. Photo courtesy of Francesca Marsetti.

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce. Photo courtesy of Francesca Marsetti.

Sesame-crusted Branzino with Stracciatella and Teriyaki Sauce is a signature dish of Chef Francesca Marsetti. This mouthwatering marriage of Italian and Japanese ingredients is what she auditioned with for a spot on the cooking show, La Prova del Cuoco.

Despite the simplicity of its preparation, it packs a flavorful punch. Coating Mediterranean branzino (seabass) in sesame seeds, she lightly pan-fries the fish in extra virgin olive oil. Once cooked, she plates it and layers Pugliese stracciatella on top, before drizzling teriyaki sauce over it.

The dish is garnished with polenta chips, a nod to her home city of Bergamo (in the region of Lambardy), where polenta is a star item on menus.

Check out the recipe below and give Italian / Japanese fusion a try. You won't regret it!

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki

Branzino Crusted in Sesame Seeds with Stracciatella and Teriyaki

Recipe by Francesca Marsetti
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

8

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1 whole Branzino (seabass), about 2 pounds

  • 1/2 pound 1/2 stracciatella cheese (from burrata)

  • 3/4 cup 3/4 sesame seeds (blend of black and white)

  • 1 cup 1 teriyaki sauce

  • 20 20 (approx) polenta chips

  • 1 tbsp. 1 extra virgin olive oil

  • Salt & pepper

Directions

  • Slice the branzino into filets and season with salt and pepper. 
  • Coat the meat side of the fish with the sesame seed mixture (do not coat the skin side).
  • Heat extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet. 
  • Cook the fish fillets on medium heat, for approximately 4 minutes on each side. 
  • Once cooked, plate the branzino and add a layer of stracciatella cheese on top. 
  • Garnish with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and crispy polenta chips.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Appetito

The Cultural Significance of Wine in Italian Cuisine

An overview of a panel discussion at this year's Sicilia En Primeur that focused on the cultural meaning of wine in Italy.

May 27, 2026

How to Make Creamy Balsamic Dressing at Home

Daniel Mancini wants you to your own dressings at home, starting with this recipe for a creamy balsamic to use in myriad ways.

May 27, 2026

Hotel Santa Chiara: Luxury & Serenity on the Grand Canal in Venice

Our Editor-in-Chief has found a boutique hotel on the Grand Canal in a charming, unfettered district of Venice.

May 26, 2026

Cinema Purgatorio: American Movies Set in Italy Are So Bad

Our Editor-in-Chief weighs in on the absurdity of many American movies set in Italy and recommends his own stories as a solution.

May 26, 2026

Sunday Shop: Bridal Era Wardrobe Touches for Late Spring and Early Summer

Morgan Hines seeks out the best in not only food and drink but style, housewares, and more. Welcome to Appetito’s Sunday Shop!

May 24, 2026

Grilled Mortadella & Mozzarella Sandwich for the Holiday Weekend

Joanna Moeller shares an elevated holiday weekend sandwich featuring fresh sliced mozzarella from Lioni Latticini.

May 23, 2026
See all posts