When you’ve got endless miles of coastline surrounding a country, thousands of gushing rivers flowing through its inlands, and a large percentage of its population tending towards more carnivorous tendencies, there’s only one guarantee we care about—there are going to be fish preparations and delicacies like nobody could have imagined. People have never been shy to consume anything they could throw a net around and prepare, while quickly realising that the right fish pretty much tastes great in any form. Dunked, fried, or smoked in any of their familiar flavours, this is exactly how much we lucked out by living in this land by the sea.
You know where this is heading, mostly because we’ve done it before. First by compiling the most unique mutton and pork dishes for all meat lovers, followed by a pretty thorough compilation of the best seafood dishes in the oh-so-coasty city of Mumbai, and of course, our most recent prawn trail around the country. This time, however, we’ve got something even more special and palatable.
People who delight in fish come together to journey across this country's refined culinary palate from fried to curried, from thick juicy Pomfret to thin delicate Bombil, from spicy pepper flavours to light tangy gravies - here's 21 delicious drool-inducing fish dishes. And, for all you home chefs, you can even try recreating them at home because we've added some extra special recipe links for you too. Don’t ever say we don’t look out for your stomachs.
I.Bamboo Steamed Fish
Cuisine: Nagaland
Great Place to Get It: Nagaland's Kitchen, Delhi nails the true authentic flavours of Bamboo Steamed Fish.
Unless you have your own Bamboo stick supply, we don't recommend you try this one at home though.
II.Kerala Fish Curry with Coconut
Cuisine: No points for guessing
Great Place to Get It: If a trip to Kerala isn't an option, the next best thing is Taste of Kerala, Mumbai
Making It Yourself? Get the perfect balance of flavours with this recipe
III. Fish Curry with Lotus Stems
Cuisine: Kashmiri
Great Place to Get It: This sinfully rich curry is unbelievable at Utupura, Hyderabad
Making It Yourself? Fill your kitchen with the sweet smell of this Kashmiri curry, and give it a try! Don't forget to call us over if you nail it.
IV. Ilish Machher Jhol
Cuisine: Bengali
Great Place to Get It: The next time you find yourself in Kolkata, drop by Kasturi restaurant to try this seafood specialty
Or just follow this simple recipe and experience Bengal's Ilish Machher Jhol in your own kitchen.
V. Meen Alleppey Curry with Brown Rice
Cuisine: Kerala
Great Place To Get It: Vembanad, Bangalore creates a pretty perfect version of this tangy Pomfret curry.
Alleppey's fish curry in your own home isn't too ambitious either. Just follow these simple steps.
VI. Goan Fish Curry
Cuisine: Goan
Great Place To Get It: Drive up to Starlight the next time you're in Goa for the most authentic version you'll ever find, and start out by ordering two.
Making It Yourself? Try your hand at this Goan specialty and your friends are likely to never leave your house again.
VII. Bommidala Pulusu
Cuisine: Andhra
Great Place To Get It: Befriend a non-vegetarian from Hyderabad and pray you're welcomed into their home for a good fish curry dinner!
Or you could whip it up yourself but we will say that it's the quality of the fish that makes all the difference.
VIII. Machha Besara
Cuisine: Odia
Great Place To Get It: Head down to Little Orissa Restaurant, Bangalore for Machha Besara's rich flavours.
Or Try out your culinary chops and recreate Orissa's classic fish curry at home.
IX. Masor Tenga
Cuisine: Assamese
Great Place To Get It: Delhi's Heritage Khorikaa will transport you straight to Assam and back with their authentic Masor Tenga.
Or you could experience the tangy aroma of fresh Rohu curry right in your own kitchen. It's a pretty easy recipe!
X. Meen Moilee
Cuisine: Kerala
Great Place To Get It: If not in a typical home in Kerala, Chennai's Ayna (Hilton) serves a mean Meen Moilee
Making It Yourself? Sanjeev Kapoor's guide to this delicacy is a sure-shot success.
XI. Meen Kuzhambu
Cuisine: Andhra
Great Place To Get It: Visit Tamarind in Kolkata for this traditional curry - a great meal for any seafood lover.
Making It Yourself? Follow this step-by-step recipe to create the South Indian delight for your own dinner table.
XII. Sanpiau
Cuisine: Mizoram
Great Place To Get It: It doesn't get more authentic that the streets of Mizoram, we recommend you book your tickets as soon as possible!
Making It Yourself? Don't even try. Some dishes are just better left to the experts of street food!
XIII. Nga Atoiba Thongba
Cuisine: Manipuri
This special stew is best kept a homemade affair so give it a shot and try making it yourself.
XIV. Iromba
Cuisine: Manipuri
Making It Yourself? If you're feeling experimental in the kitchen, this simple dish is the perfect choice but it does require some patience.
XV. Tungtap
Cuisine: Meghalaya
Jadoh
For all home-chefs, this North Eastern delicacy is a fantastic spicy challenge.
XVI. Kane Rava Fry
Cuisine: Karnataka
Great Place To Get It: Great news, it's close to home! Stop by Mahesh Lunch Home for the authentic seafood experience
Making It Yourself? Try your hand at this authentic recipe.
XVII. Tandoori Amritsari Fish Tikka
Cuisine: Punjabi
Great Place To Get It: Chandigarh's Amritsari Zaika serves mouth-watering fish tikka that will leave you wanting more.
Making It Yourself? Bring Punjab's authentic grill into your home, before you give it a try.
XVIII. Malvani Fish Curry
Cuisine: Malvani, to state the obvious
Great Place To Get It: For authentic Malvani masala, drop by Zinga in Vashi
Making It Yourself? This recipe is every seafood chef's guide to Malvani excellence.
XIX. Bombil fry
Cuisine: Maharashtrian
Great Place To Get It: Gajalee does crispy fried Bombil like no one else.
And it's easy enough to bring this Maharashtrian dish into your home if you so please.
XX.Meen Gassi
Cuisine: Mangalorean
Great Place To Get It: The Dakshin (Sheraton) in Delhi nails this Mangalorean dish
Making It Yourself? Home-made Meen Gassi is a fairly easily crafted traditional specialty
XXI. Kudampuli Ittu Vachathu
Cuisine: Kerala
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Making It Yourself? Aim for the perfect blend of hot and sour flavours with this recipe
[Have we missed out on some spectacular fish concoction that you know all about? Don't hold out on us, let us know in the comments section below.]