The world consists of 92% of non-veg eaters. Of this 92%, around 3.2 billion people rely on fish for their daily animal protein. These numbers show the importance of seafood and its knowledge. Maharashtra is one side covered with water. Hence, it is the most significant contributor to seafood in India. Zooming in, we land in Malvan. It is a significant tourist attraction for its authentic cuisine and old forts. The authentic cuisine here includes a variety of dishes made with fish. Today, let’s spec into this rich diversified Top 20 fishes to try in Malvan, Maharashtra.
1. Indo-Pacific King Mackerel
The Indo-Pacific King Mackerel comes first in the Top 20 Fishes to try in Malvan due to its amount and taste. It is a type of Mackerel. Local people call them Surmai or Iswon. It tastes like Chicken sometimes. Dishes like Surmai Fry, Tawa Surmai, Surmai Curry, Surmai Kalvan (thick curry), and Ambat Surmai (sour curry) are prevalent in Malvan.
2. Silver Pomfret
The Silver Pomfret is an elitist fish. It is one of the costliest fishes in Malvan. There are two types of Pomfrets. They are the Silver and Golden pomfret. Both are delicate and are known to have a mild sweet taste. Tawa Pomfret, Pomfret Tandoori, Stuffed Pomfret, Pomfret Curry, and Pomfret Kalvan are some dishes made using Pomfret.
3. Indian Mackerel
Indian Mackerel takes third place in the list of top 20 fishes to try in Malvan, Maharashtra. The reason is its availability in large quantity and cost. Locals call it Bangda. It is the most affordable fish among people. It is mostly salt incorporated and taste very unique. Dishes made from Indian Mackerel include Bangda Fry, Bangda Pickle, and Bangda Kalvan.
4. Wahoo Fish
Wahoo fish is also known as Karli locally. It is a tiny baby-hand-sized silver oily fish. It is found in large quantities and has many spikes as compared to other fishes. People use it in sauces, pickles, dry fish, for garnishing, etc. It is canned and used on pizza, pasta, and other western delights.
5. Indian Butterfish
The Indian Butterfish is a popular among the tourists of Malvan. It is widely known as Black Pomfret or Halwa. It is sold in big pieces and has similar costs as Pomfret. It is dark in color and is fleshy with a mild taste. Masala Pomfret Curry, Masala Pomfret Fry, and Pomfret Tandoori are some famous dishes.
6. Silver Barfish
Silver Barfish is in the top 20 fishes to try in Malvan due to the way it is cut. It is one of the spiky fishes found in Malvan. It is cut lengthwise, and it is one of the fascinating things to watch. The Barfish Curry is a popular dish in Malvan.
7. English Sole
Locals consume the English Sole on a large scale. Locals call it Sole. It has a slightly mild sweet taste comparable to Tilapia crossed with cods. It is better known for its overpowering fishy odor. Lemon fried sole, baked sole fillet, Sole Curry, and Dover Sole Fillet are some dishes which have sole in it.
8. Red Snapper
Generally known as Tamoshi, The Red Snapper is eaten occasionally. Just a handful people know its taste. It is moist, delicate, and sweet to the taste. It goes well with every flavor. The Sankara Meen Curry, Indian Fried Snapper, Snapper fish curry, and Kember style fried fish curry are some dishes made using Red Snapper.
9. Barracuda
Barracuda is a giant ray-finned predator fish. In Malvan, it is known as Toll and is caught when small due to its predatory behavior. Taste wise is mildly sweet like a wild Tuna. Barracuda Masala Curry, Barracuda Fry, Sheela Fry are some recipes out of Barracuda.
10. False Trevally Fish
Saundala or the False Trevally Fish is very similar to Indian Mackerel in quantity and price. It is found mainly during the Pre-rain season. It is a fish with chewable bones. People use it to make Curry, Chutney, Fried fish, and Pickles. They tend to have a good taste when fried.
11. The Lizardfish
The Lizardfish marks 11th place in the top 20 fishes to try in Maharashtra. Its shape is long length-wise. It has a moist texture and is eaten dry. The fish is marinated with salt and left to dry in the hot sun near the sea shores. This dried fish is eaten raw, used in pickles, steamed, or boiled.
12. Clam
Clam usually reminds of finger-sized black clams. However, in Malvan white, off-white, and skin color, small clams are found. One can find them in the sea as well as lake water. The Locals sometimes sell them without shells. Mostly, people eat the Shivle (Clam) Curry in Malvan.
13. Shark
It is called Mori in the regional language. People love mori even after knowning that it is a predator fish. It has a very reasonable price in the towns of Malvan. The taste of Mori is very much like chicken. People make Coconut based curry using Shark. It is rarely fried and eaten.
14. Golden Anchovies
Anchovies come in large quantities, and people sell them in the markets of Mumbai. They are similar in taste to Prawns but are a bit fleshy. People fry the Mandeli (Anchovies) and eat it entirely along with the spike. More giant anchovies’ spikes are not edible. Children mostly prefer eating crunchy tails.
15. Catfish
Of the top 20 fishes to try in Malvan, handful of people know catfish. Its Indian name is not so popular, which makes it disappear in the crowd. Catfish is known as Shingle. Average Catfish Curry and Catfish Coconut Curry are two dishes to try when traveling to Malvan.
16. Catla
Catla is a robust meaty fish found on the coastlines of Malvan. Taste-wise, it is meaty. It has a unique flavor and is not fishy. This helps it combine with any dish easily and gives the eater a natural feel of delicacy. Fisherman catches it during the post-rain period in Malvan.
17. Sardines
Just like Mackerels and False Trevally Fish, Sardines too come in large quantities, and people sell it at an affordable price. This is the everyday fish for many locals. The fish has a very salty taste. The taste is less salty as compared to Anchovies. They use them into Chutney, Curry, and Pickles.
18. Salmon Fish
The Salmon Fish, popularly in the foreign country, is known as Ravas in Malvan. People eating Salmon daily know that it has a mild, meaty taste. This meaty taste, when combined with the spices of India, makes a heavenly combination. Salmon Curry, Salmon Fried pan, and tandoori salmon are some popular dishes in Malvan.
19. Squid Fish
The local name for squid fish is Mhakul. It has a jellyfish-like structure. It turns out to be chewy, soft, and delicate if cooked properly. It tastes a bit sweet, just like Shrimp or Lobsters. Squid Masala Gravy, Squid Masala Dry, Squid fry, and Mangalore style squid from the south are famous.
20. Tilapia Fish
This fish is grown in Bio floc Fish Farm. It is an inexpensive fish which do not taste fishy. Hence, it has a massive demand among non-fish eaters. Dishes from Tilapia include Tilapia Fish Fry, Tilapia pot Curry, and Tilapia masala.
