Fish Head Curries In Singapore So Delicious You'll Forget That Your Food Is Staring At You

Fish head curry was first invented in an Indian restaurant in Singapore by a chef who wanted to please the Chinese customers who visited frequently. The dish mixes South Indian and Chinese influences through the spices that are integral in cooking South Indian curries, vegetables such as okra, potatoes, and eggplant with the full head of a red snapper, considered a delicacy in China. Expect to find slight variations on the curry that can now be found across Indian, Chinese, Malay, and Peranakan restaurants in terms of spices used and vegetables. The one thing you can count on is that a fish head, eyes and all, will be bobbing in the still-steaming claypot when it arrives at your table.

1. Muthu’s Curry

Restaurant, Indian

Muthu’s Curry has two locations, the newer, stylish Dempsey branch and their original Race Course Road branch that opened in 1969. One of Singapore’s most famous restaurants for the dish, they serve their succulently spiced food on banana leaves with sides of basmati rice and papadums.

2. Samy’s Curry

Restaurant, Indian, Vegetarian, Vegan

This is another Southern Indian restaurant — one of the oldest in the area — that you’ll find in the trendy neighborhood of Dempsey Hill. Many locals will point to Samy’s Curry as the without a doubt best place to get fish head curry on the island. Samy’s Curry is characterized by their thick curry with a level of spiciness that will leave even the most ardent spice lovers grabbing at glasses of water. Luckily, the restaurant offers a free flow of sides including vegetables and rice, which can help to alleviate the spiciness.

3. Ocean Curry Fish Head

Restaurant, Asian, Chinese, Seafood

The first location of Ocean Curry Fish Head is a bit of a trek into the heartlands located out at Bedok North, so CBD workers rejoiced when they recently opened a location at Telok Ayer. Ocean Curry serves up the dish in a sour-spicy curry accompanied by a medley of pineapple, okra, and eggplants. Expect to find long queues of office workers patiently waiting for their steaming hot, deadly spicy claypot bowls of the dish.

5. Karu’s Indian Banana Leaf

Restaurant, Indian

Now it may seem a bit bizarre to travel all the way northwest to Upper Bukit Timah road when you can get the same food in Little India, but you should know that Singaporeans are serious about their food and that means they are willing to travel for it, and have been making the trek up here for the last two decades. Karu’s is famous for serving the most flavorful, and yet a more reasonably spicy version of the dish. This is ideal for those who either don’t understand the appeal of the dish or have a preference for not eating something that sets all of your insides on fire. Karu’s is also recognized for having above-average fish in that they are much meatier than some other establishments

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.