Fish Head Curry

[Travailes]

Keen to try this local dish but need some advice.
Seems Sami's at Dempsey has a good reputation for this but
sure all are pretty similar to a novice !

What is the etiquette in eating it ?
Cutlery, Chopsticks or fingers ...

What do you actually eat of the fish ?
Can't imagine there is much meat on a fish head and I'm not into
eating skin, bones, eyes etc

Someone told me the head is just in there to add flavour to the sauce
which I doubt.

Advice appreciated.

[Travailes]

Obviously not a popular dish amongst expats judging by the response !

[ecureilx]

Obviously not a popular dish amongst expats judging by the response !

It is popular, but, for me, I am wondering what you are upto No offense ..

You should, if you are a 'good expat', by now, been introduced to Fish Head curry and had some local friends along with you to learn to eat it (gee, that is a very Singaporean thing to say - learn to eat the food .. )

[JR8]

Keen to try this local dish but need some advice.
Seems Sami's at Dempsey has a good reputation for this but
sure all are pretty similar to a novice !

What is the etiquette in eating it ?
Cutlery, Chopsticks or fingers ...

I'd use a fork and spoon. I expect they'd give you a bit of a weird look if you asked for chopsticks in an Indian restaurant. Wouldn't bother eating by hand unless you are proficient, it is slow and messy.


What do you actually eat of the fish ?
Can't imagine there is much meat on a fish head and I'm not into
eating skin, bones, eyes etc

Maybe why you did not get a lot of replies to your question? There is meat on a fish head, principally the 'cheeks' which I imagine are the jaw muscles, plus where the fillets have been separated. Just not as much meat as you might like. Frankly I prefer a decent fish curry, than fish-head. I wouldn't be surprised if it originated as a real poor-mans food.


Someone told me the head is just in there to add flavour to the sauce
which I doubt.

Well, it probably does that too.


Advice appreciated.

Probably worth a go. Best with a group of friends where you can also order a number of other dishes as well.

If you do give it a go, why not post back here and let us know how it went?

[sundaymorningstaple]

There are two delicacies on fishhead, one, as noted are the cheeks (most tender bits on the whole fish) and two, the eyeballs. Other than that, if it's a big head, maybe the fish lips as well.

[ecureilx]

I'd use a fork and spoon. I expect they'd give you a bit of a weird look if you asked for chopsticks in an Indian restaurant. Wouldn't bother eating by hand unless you are proficient, it is slow and messy.

Actually one of the famous Fish head joints, a few years ago, and was nice and not spicy and palatable to those who are not used to extremely spicy stuff, is / was run by chinese at Prinsep Street .. I hope it is still there ..

And yeah, a fish head curry alone or with fewer people is a waste .. more the merrier .. (and of course the little game that whoever the fish' mouth is pointing has to bear the bill .. )

[Travailes]

Thanks for the feedback.
Will definitely give it a go this weekend.

[Jess828]

Sammy's Curry at Dempsey...Two thumbs up.

[ecureilx]

Sammy's Curry at Dempsey...Two thumbs up.

Gayatri, nothing comes close

haha .. how is that ??

[the lynx]

There are two delicacies on fishhead, one, as noted are the cheeks (most tender bits on the whole fish) and two, the eyeballs. Other than that, if it's a big head, maybe the fish lips as well.

Interestingly, I discovered that many Westerners do NOT know that one can eat something off the fish head.

Was on board with about 10 tourists (I'm the only Asian tourist) for few nights off Halong Bay (a junk boat) and when we were served fish for the first time, they were surprised when I made a go for the cheeks.

For the rest of the boat stay, they asked me to dig out the cheek for them whenever fish was served