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India, with its vast coastline and rivers, has an extraordinary range of marine systems that are hotspots for fish varieties and dishes prepared with them. Coastal communities who know the sea well are equipped with knowledge, methods and tools that allow them to engage in fishing for generations uniquely. India's coastal cuisines have emerged from these very communities, and fish and seafood always dominate the plates here. Tamil Nadu, which has the Indian Ocean in the south and a long coastal range of the Bay of Bengal in the east—not to mention rivers like Kaveri and Vaigai—is known for its unique fish dishes.
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The coastal water of Tamil Nadu has an extensive repertoire of fish varieties. Signature dishes made from fish, such as Meen Kuzhambu and Meen Varuval, are indispensable dishes in Tamil Nadu. The best thing about fish curries and dishes cooked in Tamil Nadu is each fish has a unique and distinct aroma, flavour, and texture. The type of fish decides the depth of the curry which can be savoured with rice, idli, and dosa.
These are some of the traditional and local fish varieties that are predominantly used in households and signature dishes for Tamil Nadu which you should try without fail!
Seer Fish:
Seer fish is also known as Spanish Mackeral. This is one of the most popular, expensive, and demanding fish because of its meaty texture and slightly sweet distinctive flavour. The versatility of the seer fish is comparatively high with other fish and the seasoning of flavours can be experimented according to the taste buds. This fish can be fried, baked, grilled, and can be used in curries as well. Seer fish is called “Vanjaram” in Tamil and Telugu, “Neymeen” in Malayam, “Anjal” in Kannada, “Surmai” in Hindi. In Tamil Nadu, this fish has a huge fan base for its richness in flavours and the plunging depth of deliciousness it provides in the fish curry. Vanjaram varuval which is a fry and Vanjaram meen kuzhambu is a mandatory try for your taste bud’s goodness.
Pomfret Fish:
Pomfret fish is a popular marine fish variety in Indian cuisine. The texture and flavour of the fish make it one of the most expensive fish in the market. It is also called “Butterfish” which is known for its white flesh and non-fishy flavour. This fish is called “Vavval meen” in Tamil, “Aavoli” in Malayalam, “Pamfret Chepa” in Telugu, “Bala” in Kannada, “Pangat Maas” in Marathi, and “Pamphlet” in Hindi. There are a variety of dishes that establish the flavour of this fish in depth such as fish fry and fish curry. Fish fry can be accompanied by a few drops of lemon juice and chopped onions and fish curry with hot white steamed rice, idli, and dosa. This is a soul-soothing dish that everyone should give a try.
Sankara Fish:
Sankara fish which is called “Red Snapper” or “Red Mullet” is a popular and most consumed fish variety in Indian cuisine. The deliciousness flavour of sweet and nutty taste of this fish makes it one of the favourites of food enthusiasts. With the flaky texture, white flesh with reddish-pink to orange-pink colouration reflects the habitat and age of this fish. The freshness of the fish retains the flavour to give an extraordinary culinary experience. The regional names for Red Mullet are “Sankara Chepa” in Telugu, “Sankara Meen” in Malayalam, “Sankara Meenu” in Kannada, and “Shankar Macchli” in Hindi. Sankara fish curry has a sweet, tangy, and atomic flavour which will make you addicted to the juicy flesh of the fish in the curry. This single-bone fish is extraordinary to savour when it is fried after marinating with exotic fish masala which is made of spices like chillies, coriander, turmeric, etc.
Anchovies:
Anchovies are small, delicate, and very tasty fish that are most beloved in Tamil cuisine for their distinctive flavours and unique characteristics. This fish is very easy to cook and when blended with the right spices, curry leaves, and ingredients its flavour can be highlighted to the next level. This fish from salty riverine water can be consumed fresh but the dry fish curry of this variety is an extraordinary masterpiece especially if you add brinjal to the curry. The blend of the ingredients with this fish brings up the flavours to dance in your taste buds. This fish is called “Nethili Meen” in Tamil, “Netholi” in Malayalam, “Nethallu” in Telugu, “Nethili” in Hindi, and “Bolingei” in Kannada. Anchovies can be made in different dishes such as Nethi Meen Kozhambu, Nethi Meen Varuval, and Nethili Karuvattu Kuzhambu as signature items.
Sardine Fish:
Sardine fish is one of the traditional fish curry prepared in South India. This fish is rich, oily, and very flavourful in characteristics. The natural oily flavour enhances the depth of the sardines in the dishes. With nutty undertones, oily fatty textures, and a slightly salty taste sardine is one of the unique fish. Sardines can taste the next level when it is prepared with the influence of the right kind of masala that makes the flavours soaked and blended in the dish. Even a simple fish fry of this small fish is fantastic in taste due to its earthy, oily, and flavourful crunchy delectable. The curry of sardines is very aromatic and flavourful when accompanied by hot white steamed rice, idly, and dosa. This fish is called “Mathi Meen” in Tamil, “Kavallu” in Telugu, “Bootayi” in Kannada, and “Pedvey Machli” in Hindi.
Ribbon Fish:
Ribbon fish is a long, flat, silver-vark plated-like skin, ribbon-shaped fish that is one of the popular fish varieties in the culinary world. Known for its absorbing nature, the ingredients used in the preparation of this fish dish make it so rich in flavours. This saltwater dish is mild, sweet, and delicate in taste. It is predominantly made into curry for its smooth texture and delicate flesh. The fish curry and fish fry of this fish are extraordinary in taste. This fish is called “Vaala Meen” in Tamil, “Vamme” in Telugu, “Vaala” in Malayalam, “Varaal Meenu” in Kannada, and “Channa” in Hindi. The fish curry can be accompanied with hot white steamed rice.
These are some of the most famous fish varieties in the region of Tamil Nadu and if you are a person who loves food, you should try to know how good each tastes!
