Crispy Fried Elephant Fish with Ginger Fish Sauce: CA Tai Tuong Chien Xu

Name: Crispy Fried Elephant Fish with Ginger Fish Sauce: CA Tai Tuong Chien Xu
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons fish sauce; 3 tablespoons white vinegar; 4 ounces water; 4 tablespoons fresh ginger, julienned; 1 tablespoon chopped chile; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic (about 3 cloves); 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1 (1 1/2 pounds) whole elephant fish, unscaled (or snapper, scaled)* (See Cook's Note); Vegetable oil, for frying (about 4 cups); 3 sprigs fresh coriander (cilantro), for garnish; Steamed jasmine rice, for serving