Here are the top six spots in Klang Valley, Malaysia for wholesome and delicious fish head curry
Restoran ZK
This long-standing institution open three hours a day for lunch. In this short time, there’s an unceasing line of customers waiting to pile their plates with the variety of ready-made dishes. Sitting centre stage is a large vat of fiery red fish head curry, swimming with red snapper heads, okra an taufu pok. The server manning this all-important station takes his duties seriously, intently choosing and doling out outsized fish heads onto big plastic plates. The curry is brightly flavoured, and the fish meat is firm and sweet. Complement the fiery bite with a side dish of mixed green chillies and onions with black sauce.
76 Jalan Kampung Attap, KL. Tel: +603 2273 9786
Kumar’s
Kumar’s history dates back to 1969, to a little stall in Brickfields famous for its fish head curry. This upscale version in Oasis Ara Damansara is Dato’ Anath Kumar Alagu’s tribute to his mother’s culinary legacy, combined with a personal obsession with food. The food is reassuringly good, with consistency a key part of Kumar’s operations. The indulgent fish head curry is coconut milk-free and redolent of spices. The fish, bought daily, is substantial, and each serving is enough to feed a few good appetites. The restaurant is idyllically placed in a piazza by a canal, perfect for walking off the hearty meal.
R-03 Central Piazza 2 Jalan PJU 1A/7A Oasis Ara Damansara, PJ. Tel: +603 7734 7742
Ah Lye Curry Fish Head
This excellent restaurant tucked away in Subang’s suburbs is one of those well-known secrets you just have to know. The proprietors hail from the original Ah Lye in Taiping, Perak; the son and his wife brought their superb cooking skills to KL. The highlighted fish head curry is rich and indulgent. Cooked to order in clay pot, each serve is a merry bubble of aromatic curry filled with the red snapper head, okra, taufu pok, and brinjals. Chinese-style fish head curry differs from its Indian counterpart by being milder and sweeter with different spices as ingredients. Other must-try house specialties are the Assam prawns and the order-ahead salt-baked chicken.
28, SS19/1G Subang Jaya, Selangor. Tel: +603 5638 0468 / +603 5634 9692
Anuar’s Fish Head Curry
This al-fresco bare basics stall has long been the go-to-spot for cheap, cheerful and tasty fare. The menu is as rudimentary as the set-up – fish head curry and fried chicken, fish or squid with bean sprouts and rice. That’s more than enough to keep business brisk, especially during lunchtime. The top-notch fish head curry is homely and aromatic, with a slightly sourish note from the tomatoes to balance out the spiciness. The fish head is fresh, sweet and meaty. We also recommend the squid, marinated in a seductive curry marinade, deep-fried and served whole – juicy, tender and simply outstanding.
At the corner of Lorong Ara Kiri 3 Lucky Garden, Bangsar KL
Imbi Bird Park Curry Kepala Ikan
This popular stall within a kopitiam keeps the lunchtime crowd happy and fed. The name references its original location in neighbouring Imbi, beside a local bird park. Madam Tang’s Indian-style curries have been perfected over the years. Bring along friends to enjoy the generous portion of fish head curry with rice, papadom and a side of vegetables. Aso keep an eye out for their daily lunch specials such as crispy fried bitter gourd or stewed pumpkins with chillies.
Restoran Sin Hiap Kee 32, corner of Jalan Lengkongan Brunei and Lorong Brunei Selatan, KL. Tel:+603 2148 9557
Appu Uncle Curry House
Brothers Arvin and Ravin Rengaraju named their South Indian restaurant after their Uncle Appu. The uncle is credited for developing the recipes, including that for the fish head curry, a thick and creamy conoction with an almost buttery flavour using homemade masala. Depending on market freshness and availability, the fish heads are red snapper, threadfin and golden snapper. Appu’s is also famous its banana leaf rice.
14 Jalan 19/3 Seksyen 19 PJ. Tel: +6012 555 4958
