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.

9:07 AM EDT on June 4, 2024

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 Stories

Chef POV: Italian Food News, Gifts and Kitchen Finds

These new releases bring a little fun, flavor and Italian flair to the season.

August 14, 2026

Pasta School with Lowcountry Bella: How to Make Fresh Fettuccine

In Lesson Two, learn how to turn fresh pasta dough into silky ribbons of homemade fettuccine.

August 14, 2026

This Week in Italian Food & Travel News (Aug. 14)

A fresh mix of stories offers plenty to talk about, from what’s new on the menu to what’s unfolding across the Mediterranean.

August 14, 2026

Campari Hosting Campari Spritz Square in Nolita this Weekend

Reservations have been available on a rolling basis and a limited number of walk-in spots are also available.

August 13, 2026

Lolita’s Gelato: Italian Gelato in Santorini, Greece

A tiny gelateria in Oia became much more than a place to stop for something sweet.

August 13, 2026

Borgo Santo Pietro and the Rise of Luxury Borgos in Italy

Italy’s historic villages are giving travelers a new way to experience the country.

August 13, 2026