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Fish head curry

Indian version of fish head curry
Alternative names	Kari kepala ikan (Malay or Indonesian)
Type	Curry
Course	Main course
Place of origin	Singapore
Region or state	Nationwide in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore
Created by	(Indian origin)
Serving temperature	Hot or warm
Main ingredients	Red snapper fish head, vegetables (okra, eggplant, Long bean)
Variations	Fish amok, Fish head casserole, Ho mok pla, mok pa

Fish head curry (Malay and Indonesian: kari kepala ikan) is a dish in Indonesian, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines with mixed Indian and Chinese origins. The head of a red snapper is stewed in a Kerala-style curry with assorted vegetables such as okra and eggplants. It is usually served with either rice or bread, or as a shared dish.

Description

It is believed that fish head curry was invented when chef M.J. Gomez from Kerala, India adopted the dish to bring South Indian cuisine to diners in Singapore. Although fish head was not widely served in India, Chinese customers considered it to be a special delicacy, so M.J. had the idea of cooking the fish in curry instead. The dish was first sold in 1949, at the restaurant opened by Gomez.

Today, Indian, Malay, Chinese, and Peranakan restaurants all serve variations of this dish. Fish head curry has become a popular dish among Singaporeans and tourists alike. Costing between $10 and $20, it is generally not considered cheap hawker fare. It typically comes served in a clay pot, and is often sold at hawker centers and neighbourhood food stalls.

Preparation

Tamarind (asam) juice is frequently added to the gravy to give the dish a sweet-sour flavor (see asam fish). This variety of fish head curry also has a thinner, orange gravy.

Coconut milk can be added to this dish.

See also

• Malay cuisine
• Minangkabau cuisine
• Peranakan cuisine
• Singaporean cuisine
• Malabar matthi curry
• Fish head casserole
• Fish amok
• Fish stew
• Fish curry (disambiguation)

References

1. Inc, Tastemade. "Gulai Kepala Ikan ~ Resep". Tastemade. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
2. 1001 Foods To Die For. Andrews McMeel Publishing. 2007. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-7407-7043-2. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
3. Singapore Hawker Classics Unveiled: Decoding 25 Favourite Dishes. Marshall Cavendish. 2015. p. 69. ISBN 978-981-4677-86-8. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
4. "Fish head curry (gulai kepala ikan)". SBS.
5. "The man behind fish head curry". The Straits Times. 10 December 2017.
6. "Fish-head curry on a platter". The Straits Times, Archived by NewspaperSG. November 2, 1986. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
7. "Gulai Kepala Ikan ~ Resep". Tastemade.
8. 1001 Foods To Die For. Andrews McMeel Publishing. 2007. p. 284. ISBN 978-0-7407-7043-2. Retrieved July 17, 2017.

v t e Indonesian cuisine by ethnicity
Dishes	Common Indonesian dishes Abon Acar Ayam bakar Ayam goreng Ayam kecap Ayam kodok Bakmi Bakpau Bakso Bakwan Bihun goreng Bubur ayam Bubur kacang hijau Bubur ketan hitam Bubur sumsum Gado-gado Gorengan Gulai Ikan asin Ikan bakar Ikan goreng Jagung rebus Kacang rebus Kari Kari ayam Kari domba Kari kambing Kari udang Kuaci Ketupat Laksa Lontong Macaroni schotel Martabak Mi bakso Mi goreng Mi kuah Nasi campur Nasi goreng Nasi kari Nasi kuning Nasi bakar Otak-otak Panekuk Pastel tutup Perkedel Perkedel jagung Pindang Rendang Rijsttafel Roti bakar Roti bolen Roti meses Rujak Sambal Sambal goreng udang Satay Sayur bayam Sayur sop Semur Serundeng Sop buntut Soto Soto ayam Soto mi Sup ayam Sup ercis Sup makaroni Sup wortel Tahu Tahu goreng Telur asin Telur pindang Tempeh Tumis kangkung Tumpeng Acehnese Meuseukat Mi aceh Mi caluk Nasi gurih Sate matang Arab Asida Falafel Hummus Kofta Manakish Katayef Nasi kabsah Nasi mandi Maamoul Marak Roti maryam Roti pita Saltah Shawarma Tabbouleh Tharid Balinese Babi guling Betutu Be urutan Iga babi Laklak Lawar Matah Nasi bali Nasi jinggo Pai susu Rawon babi Rujak kuah pindang Sate babi Sate lilit Soto babi Tipat cantok Banjarese Bingka Laksa banjar Pekasam Soto banjar Batak Arsik Babi panggang Karo Dali ni horbo Dengke mas na niura Itak gurgur Lampet Manuk napinadar Mi gomak Na tinombur Ombusombus Pagit-pagit Pohulpohul Saksang Sasagun Sate kerang Tipatipa Tuktuk Betawi Asinan betawi Bubur cha cha Kerak telor Ketoprak Ketupat sayur Laksa betawi Lontong sayur Mi kangkung Nasi goreng kambing Nasi kebuli Nasi uduk Nasi ulam Pindang Roti buaya Roti gambang Rujak juhi Sate taichan Sayur asem Semur jengkol Soto betawi Soto kaki Soto tangkar Sup kambing Buginese and Makassar Burasa Coto makassar Dangke Jalangkote Kaledo Konro Mi kering Pallubasa Sop saudara Chinese Babi hong Babi kecap Bak kut teh Bakkwa Banmian Bihun goreng Cakwe Cap cai Chai tow kway Char kway teow Cha sio Fu yung hai Fish ball Haisom cah Ifumi Kembang tahu Kepiting saus tiram Kuaci Kwetiau ayam Kwetiau goreng Kwetiau siram sapi Lapchiong Locupan Lontong cap go meh Lumpia Mi ayam Mi lor Mi pangsit Mi tarik Mun tahu Nasi ayam hainan Nasi bebek Nasi campur Nasi tim Ngo hiang Pangsit Popiah Rujak shanghai Sapo tahu Sate babi Sekba Siomay Soto Sup hisit Sup sarang burung Swikee Tahu sumedang Tauge ayam Tee long pan Telur pitan Telur teh Tong sui Yong tau fu Yusheng Cirebonese Empal gentong Docang Kue gapit Mi koclok Nasi jamblang Nasi lengko Tahu gejrot Gorontalese Binte biluhuta Sate Tuna Ayam iloni Sagela Ilahe Bilentango Sate Balanga Ilabulo Nasi kuning cakalang Buburu Bubur sagela Nasi goreng sagela Tabu Moitomo Ikan iloni Pilitode Indian Ayam mentega Ayam tandori Chapati Chutney Dosa Idli Laddu Kari kambing Kari kepala ikan Korma Modak Naan Nasi biryani Raita Roti canai Sambar Samosa Satti Sorru Indo Ayam kodok Babi panggang Bitterballen Erwtensoep Hutspot Makaroni schotel Oliebol Ontbijtkoek Pannenkoek Poffertjes Shepherd's pie Spekkoek Javanese Apem Arem-arem Ayam bumbu rujak Ayam geprek Ayam goreng kalasan Ayam penyet Bakso Bakpia Bakpia pathok Botok Brongkos Buntil Gudeg Iga penyet Kamir Kelan antep Krechek Kuluban Lepet Lontong balap Lontong dekem Lontong kupang Lumpia Lumpia goreng Lumpia semarang Sumpia Mendoan Mi bakso Mi goreng Mi jawa Mi rebus Nasi ambeng Nasi bebek Nasi bogana Nasi empal Nasi gandul Nasi goreng Nasi goreng jawa Nasi kare Nasi kucing Nasi liwet Nasi megono Nasi pecel Nasi tempong Opor Opor ayam Pecel Pecel ayam Pecel lele Rambak petis Rawon Roti ganjel rel Roti konde Rujak cingur Rujak soto Sambal ulek Sate ambal Sate blora Sate kambing Sate hati Sate kelinci Sate kikil Sate klatak Sate madura Sate ponorogo Sate tegal Sate udang Sayur lodeh Selat solo Serundeng Soto babat Soto ceker Tahu campur Telur pindang Tempe bacem Tempe goreng Tempe mendoan Timlo Tongseng Trancam Tumpeng Urap Madurese Rujak Rujak cingur Sate madura Serundeng Soto madura Malay Amplang Ayam goreng Ayam pansuh Bubur cha cha Bubur pedas Cincalok Epok-epok Gulai Ikan bakar Ikan patin Kangkung belacan Kari Kemplang Laksa Mi kari Mi rebus Nasi berlauk Nasi briyani Nasi dagang Nasi goreng Nasi goreng pattaya Nasi lemak Nasi minyak Otak-otak Pekasam Pulut Roti canai Roti jala Roti john Roti tisu Sayur lodeh Siput gonggong Soto Sup kambing Tahu goreng Tempoyak Ulam Minahasan Ayam rica-rica Brenebon Cakalang fufu Dabu-dabu Klappertaart Mi cakalang Nasi kuning Panada Paniki Rica-rica Rintek wuuk Tinorangsak Tinutuan Woku Minangkabau Asam pedas Ayam pop Balado Daun ubi tumbuk Dendeng Gulai Gulai ayam Gulai kambing Gulai otak Kalio Kepiting saus padang Keripik sanjai Lemang Lontong gulai pakis Nasi kapau Nasi kari Nasi padang Palai bada Rendang Sambal lada muda Sate padang Soto padang Udang balado Moluccan and Papuan Asida Babi bakar Bibingka Colo-colo Papeda Puding sagu Sagu Soto ambon Palembang Burgo Gulai Kemplang Laksan Lakso Mi celor Nasi minyak Otak-otak Pempek Pindang Tekwan Tempoyak ikan patin Peranakan Bubur cha cha Cincalok Laksa Pai ti Swikee Sasak Ayam taliwang Plecing kangkung Sate ampet Sate belut Sate pusut Sundanese Asinan bogor Batagor Empal gepuk Karedok Kupat tahu Laksa bogor Laksa tangerang Lalab Mi kocok Nasi timbel Nasi tutug oncom Oncom Pepes Rujak tumbuk Sate bandeng Sate maranggi Sayur asem Seblak Soto bandung Tauge goreng Uli bakar Timorese Feijoada Ikan bakar Katemak Pastel de nata Se'i
Snacks	Krupuk Amplang Emping Kemplang Krupuk Krupuk ikan Krupuk kulit Krupuk udang Kripik Kripik sanjai Rempeyek Rengginang Kue Agar-agar Apam Ape Arem-arem Asida Bagea Bahulu Bakcang Bakpau Bakpia Bakpia pathok Bangkit Bibingka Bika ambon Bingka Bitterballen Bolen Bolu gulung Bolu kukus Bolu pandan Bugis Bulan Busa Cakwe Cilok Clorot Cubit Cucur Dadar gulung Dodol Donat jawa Donat kentang Gapit Geplak Gethuk Jalangkote Jemput-jemput Kaak Kaasstengels Kamir Karipap Kembang goyang Keranjang Klappertaart Klepon Kochi Kroket Ku Kukis jagung Laddu Laklak Lapis Lapis legit Leker Lemper Lidah kucing Lumpia Lumpia goreng Lumpia semarang Sumpia Lupis Madumongso Makmur Martabak Mangkok Mochi Modak Nagasari Nastar Ombusombus Onde-onde Pai susu Pai ti Panada Pancong Pastel Pastel de nata Pinyaram Pisang cokelat Pisang goreng Poffertjes Popiah Pukis Putri salju Putu Putu mangkok Putu mayang Rangi Rempah udang Risoles Samosa Satu Semar mendem Semprit Semprong Serabi Seri muka Sus Spekulaas Stroopwafel Talam Tapai Timphan Terang bulan Untir-untir Wajik Wingko
Beverages	Alcoholic Arak Beer Brem Cap tikus Ciu Lapen Saguer Sopi Tuak Non-alcoholic Adon-adon coro Angsle Bajigur Bandrek Bir jawa Bir kocok Bir pletok Cendol Chocolate milk Cincau Dadiah Es asam jawa Es buah Es campur Es doger Es durian Es goyobod Es kelapa muda Es kopyor Es selendang mayang Es tebak Es tebu Es teler Hot chocolate Jahe telur Jamu Java coffee Kembang tahu Kopi luwak Kopi susu Kopi tarik Kopi tiam Kopi tubruk Lahang Laksamana mengamuk Legen Milo Moke Ronde Sarsi Badak Indo saparelle Sekoteng Soda gembira Susu kedelai Sweet tea Teh botol Teh krisan Teh liang Teh poci Teh jahe Teh tarik Teh talua Wedang jahe Wedang uwuh
Bumbu	Spices Adas manis Andaliman Asam jawa Bawang bombai Bawang merah Bawang perei Bawang putih Bunga lawang Bunga pala Cabai rawit Cabai merah Cengkih Daun bawang Daun jeruk Daun kari Daun kemangi Daun pandan Daun salam Jahe Jeruk purut Jeruk nipis Jintan Kapulaga Kayu manis Kecombrang Kencur Kemiri Ketumbar Keluak Kunyit Lengkuas Lada hitam Lada putih Lokio Pala Peterseli Seledri Serai Temu kunci Temu lawak Seasonings and condiments Abon Acar Balado Bawang goreng Budu Coconut jam Cuka Dabu-dabu Hagelslag Kecap asin Kecap ikan Kecap inggris Kecap manis Kerisik Lalab Mayones Minyak samin Minyak wijen Minyak zaitun Moster Muisjes Nata de coco Peanut sauce Petis Petis ikan Rica-rica Sambal Sambal goreng teri Serundeng Saus tiram Saus tomat Tapai Tauco Tempoyak Terasi Tongcai Tuktuk Vlokken
Influences and overseas dishes	Achat Asam pedas Ayam penyet Babi pangang Bami Bamischijf Begedil Biryani Bobotie Bobotok Boeber Dendeng Kalu dodol Koe'sister Lumpia Martabak Mie bangladesh Mie goreng Mie rebus Nasi ambeng Nasi goreng Nasi kuning Nasischijf Pechal Pisang goreng Rawon Rendang Rojak Roti canai Satay Sayur lodeh Serundeng Sosatie Soto Telur pindang Tempeh Tomato bredie
List articles	Indonesian beverages Indonesian condiments Indonesian desserts Indonesian dishes Indonesian noodles Indonesian snacks Indonesian soups
Related topics	List of Indonesian dishes Alcohol in Indonesia Jamu Bumbu (seasoning) Street food of Indonesia Jajan pasar Sri Owen Nunuk Nuraini
Category: Indonesian cuisine

v t e Malaysian cuisine by ethnicity
Common dishes	Malay Asam pedas Ayam bakar Ayam goreng Ayam masak kicap Ayam masak merah Ayam penyet Bubur Bubur asyura Bubur ayam Bubur kacang hijau Bubur lambuk Bubur pedas Bubur pulut hitam Dendeng Gulai Ikan bakar Ikan goreng Kangkung belacan Ketupat Kway teow goreng Laksa Lemang Lontong Masak lemak lada api Mee bakso Mee bandung Muar Mee goreng Mee jawa Mee kari Mee rebus Mee siam Nasi ambeng Nasi campur Nasi dagang Nasi goreng American fried rice Nasi goreng pattaya Nasi kerabu Nasi kuning Nasi lemak Nasi minyak Nasi paprik Nasi tumpang Nasi ulam Otak-otak Pais Pecal Pekasam Pindang Pulot tartal Ramly burger Roti canai Roti Jala Rendang Rojak Rojak bandung Sayur lodeh Sata Satay Satay celup Serundeng Soto Soto ayam Mee soto Sup Soup kambing Sup tulang Tauhu goreng Telur pindang Tongmo Ulam Chinese Bakkwa Bak kut teh Banmian Bean sprouts chicken Beef kway teow Chai tow kway Char kway teow Char siu Chee cheong fun Chwee kueh Claypot chicken rice Curry Mee Duck rice Duck soup noodles Economy rice/Mixed rice Fish ball Fish head bee hoon Hae mee Heong Peng Hokkien mee Kolo mee Kway chap Kway Teow Th'ng Loh bak Lor mee Mee pok Oyster omelette Pan mee Pao Popiah Sar Hor Fun Lou Shee Fun Teochew Porridge Tong sui Wonton mee Tambun biscuit Yee Foo Mee Yong tau foo You char kway Yusheng Zongzi Indian Banana leaf rice Butter chicken Dalcha Puliyodarai Curd rice Chapati Fish molee Dosai Idli Laddu Mee goreng Maggi goreng Mee goreng mamak Mee rebus Mamak Rojak (Rojak Klang) Modak Murtabak Mutton curry Nasi biryani Nasi kandar Korma Pasembur Puri Putu mayam Roti canai Roti tissue Naan Sup kambing Satti Sorru Appam Payasam Upma Paniyaram Pongal Vadai Adhirasam Murukku Bajji Rasam Sambar Papadum Tandoori chicken East Malaysian (Sabah and Sarawak) Ambuyat Bosou Hinava Linatan Linongot Manok pansoh Mee tauhu Midin Nasi kombos Nasi laru Nasik aruk Sinalau bakas Tonokon Tuhau Umai Peranakan Acar Asam laksa/Laksa lemak Buah keluak Bubur cha cha Cap cai Kerabu Bihun Perut Ikan Pie tee Pongteh Nyonya Bak Chang Eurasian Shepherd's pie Oxtail stew Chicken chop Devil's curry Semur
Snacks	Cake and pastries Bahulu Batik cake Heong peng Roti bakar (Kaya toast) Sarawak layer cake Keropok, crackers Amplang Lekor Rempeyek Mee Siput Muar Kuih Apam balik Akok Bingka Borasa Cakoi Cincin Cucur Jemput-jemput Penyaram Pisang goreng Dodol Jala Jelurut Karipap Kelupis Kochi Gelang Kue kembang goyang Gulung Laddu Lapis Lidah Makmur Modak Mooncake Ondeh-ondeh Otokon Pais Red peach cake Red tortoise cake Pie tee Pulut inti Pulut panggang Puto Putu bambu/Putu bumbong Putu mangkuk/piring Qasidah Sapit/Gulong/Kapit Seri Muka Soon kueh Tat/Tae
Desserts	Lamban Punjung Roti tisu Sagu Gula Melaka Tapai Wajid
Drinks	Non-alcoholic ABC Bandung Cendol Cheng tng Cincau Chrysanthemum tea Ginger tea Ipoh white coffee Kopi Janda pulang Milo Sarsi Soy milk Teh tarik Alcoholic Jaz Lihing Montoku Sikat Tapai Tuak
Condiments	Acar Kaya Sambal Belacan Budu Cincalok Tempoyak Taucu Tuhau
Category: Malaysian cuisine List of Malaysian dishes

v t e Singaporean cuisine
Articles	Singaporean cuisine List of Singaporean dishes
Dishes	Noodle dishes Banmian Beef kway teow Beef noodle soup Bee hoon goreng Char kway teow Crab bee hoon Fish soup bee hoon Hokkien mee Laksa Katong laksa Kway chap Kway teow goreng Mee bakso Mee goreng Mee rebus Mee pok Bak chor mee Mee siam Mee soto Satay bee hoon Vegetarian bee hoon Rice dishes Biryani Duck rice Hainanese chicken rice Hainanese curry rice Ketupat Nasi goreng Nasi lemak Nasi padang Nasi Rawon Teochew porridge Other dishes Assam pedas Ayam goreng Ayam penyet Bak kut teh Bakso Black pepper crab Chai tow kway Char siu Chilli crab Dendeng paru Fish head curry Fish ball Gudeg putih Gulai daun ubi Har cheong gai Naan Oyster omelette Pecel lele Pig fallopian tubes Pig's organ soup Rojak bandung Roti john Roti prata Satay Sayur lodeh Sliced fish soup Soto Soto ayam Soup kambing Turtle soup
Snacks and desserts	Ais kacang Apam balik Bubur cha cha Cendol Cheng tng Curry puff Ham chim peng Kaya toast (Roti bakar) Keropok Kueh Laddu Modak Red peach cake Soon kueh Otak-otak Pisang goreng Putugal Sugee cake Satti Sorru
Drinks	Bandung Kopi Milo Milo dinosaur Singapore Sling Teh tarik

• Malaysian cuisine
• Singaporean cuisine
• Malay cuisine
• Peranakan cuisine
• Indonesian fusion cuisine
• Singaporean fusion cuisine
• Chinese fusion cuisine
• Indian fusion cuisine
• Southeast Asian curries
• Indonesian curries
• Fish stews