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Heads on the Fish Curry
Singapore
Fish Head Curry has a well-known reputation in Singapore, its origin an amusing narrative about the multicultural identity in the country. When an Indian chef tried to make a typical curry more palatable, he incorporated fish head in his recipe—a favorite among local customers. Since then, the dish has become a hit and a treasured part of Singaporean cuisine. It can now be found in various restaurants as a main course, accompanied by other curried seafood and vegetables as side dishes. Pass on the rice! Visit these long-established favorites and new ventures known for their excellent takes on the country’s iconic Fish Head Curry.
Updated 2 years ago
Make the legendary Muthu’s Curry your first stop for a Fish Head Curry fix. This Michelin-starred restaurant established in 1969 serves theirs South-Indian style—a seamless fusion of tangy curry, tender fish head, okra, and pineapple chunks. The show-stopping dish features a seasonal choice of Sea Bram, Sea Bass, or Red Snapper, each variation containing robust flavors that has continuously won the hearts and palates of many.
- +65 6392 1722
138 Race Course Rd, #01-01, Singapore 218591
There’s nothing more authentic than eating off a banana leaf when it comes to Indian cuisine. Prepare to get down and dirty as people often skip the cutlery here! The bistro serves their delectable dishes on leaves, as their name suggests. Their recipe features fish head submerged in a flavorful curry stewed with assorted vegetables, best enjoyed with rice for a subtle and earthy meal.
- +65 6293 8682
54 Race Course Rd, Singapore 218564
Situated in Upper Paya Road, this curry house is a top choice among East siders. Served in a typical clay pot style, their Fish Head Curry packs a punch with its fresh ingredients: a sea bream head served with an abundance of brinjal, ladyfingers, tomatoes, and tau pok (fried beancurd). If you’re not a fan of extremely piquant dishes, there’s an option to customize the spiciness to your liking.
- +65 6286 0491
147 Upper Paya Lebar Rd, Singapore 534849
Relative to other restaurants, the curry here isn’t cheap. One bite of their lip-smacking Claypot Fish Head Curry, however, is said to send you to seafood heaven. Ocean Curry takes pride in three decades of serving this stellar dish made with grade A ang goli fish, sour and spicy gravy, Sarawak pineapples, and vegetables.
- +65 6324 9226
181 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068629
Foodies in the West know that there’s nowhere else they should have Fish Head Curry but in the famed Zai Shun. Crowds flock to this restaurant for their Steamed Fish and gigantic Soo Me, but the real star on the menu is the iconic Curry Fish Head. Made with only the freshest Red Snapper and Assam-style curry, the dish is light yet full-bodied with a sweetness to the fish head that pairs perfectly with the tanginess of the curry.
- +65 6560 8594
253 Jurong East Street 24, #01-205, Singapore 600253
Having been around since 1989 with four outlets and a Michelin recognition under its belt, Na Na offers guests a gastronomical delight with its thick and incredibly flavorful Fish Head Curry. With the addition of a savory yam, a secret ingredient that gives the dish some serious melt-in-the-mouth goodness, their recipe widely appeals to Singaporeans looking to try curry on the spicier side.
- +65 9776 3240
303 Jurong East Street 32, Singapore 600303
Touted as one of the country’s favorite places for Fish Head Curry, Gu Ma Jia is known for its unique take on the dish that continues to garner praise from locals. The recipe is immensely top-secret. Yap Geok Loong, the restaurant’s head chef and owner’s brother, is the sole person who knows how to cook the signature dish! It is said that it takes 13 different spices to create their outstanding curry and they only use the freshest fish acquired daily from the market.
- +65 6285 2023
45 Tai Thong Cres, Sennett Estate, Singapore 347866
Located in the heart of Dempsey Road for five decades now, Samy’s Curry has grown to be a beloved and award-winning landmark for authentic Indian dishes in Singapore. You won’t find a table without their signature Fish Head Curry, which offers a symphony of warm and complex flavors to please one’s palate. Each bite leans on the sour side, which balances the flavor of the fish head, best appreciated with their steamed basmati rice.
- +65 6472 2080
25 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249670
For a delicious, Halal-certified Fish Head Curry, look no further than West Co’z Cafe. For SGD20, you get traditional Assam Curry Fish Head served with an abundance of vegetables, tau pok, and fried bean skin. A real value for money, it might be the cheapest on this list, but certainly one of the ones worth indulging in.
- +65 6779 1303
154 W Coast Rd #02-23 West Coast Plaza, Singapore 127371
A wonderful gastronomic adventure awaits you at Hooked on Heads, all puns intended. The key to their well-loved Fish Head Curry is their South Indian Assam style of cooking, which incorporates a hint of coconut cream sweetness in the dish. If you still want to savor the flavorful curry without the fish head, the restaurant offers an option to change the fish head to fishtail or fish fillet.
- +65 6455 4948
6 Sin Ming Rd, Tower 2 Sin Ming Plaza #01-01/02, Singapore 575585
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