Vizag, or Visakhapatnam, the coastal city of Andhra Pradesh, is famed for its array of native seafood delicacies. From zingy and zesty pulusu, crispy vepudu and piquant koora (curry), the city emits flavours of a diverse range. Thanks to the Andhra Pradesh's long coastline that keeps supplying incessant amounts of seafood and magnum rivers like the Godavari, which cater to the sweet water fish variants. One of the best spots to sample these in Vizag is a food truck parked near Tenneti Park. While passing by this area, you might locate this van with painted murals of crabs, shrimps, prawns and different types of fish. If your eyes miss it, your nose is sure to catch the sudden gush of seafood whiff. And there you are, perhaps standing puzzled about what to order from the mindboggling range of food on display at this humble food truck called Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Seafood.
Available only from afternoon to night, it is run by a courteous husband and wife couple, Lakshmi and Srinivasa. Although every bit of this humble food joint is being taken care of by them, right from sourcing the raw materials and seafood to marinating the required items to cooking and selling them, this couple serve everything with a smile.
Crispy crab fry, Image By: Ranita Ray
On the menu, one has options such as red snapper fry, sea bass or Pandu Ghappa fry, pomfret fry, King Fish fry, white snapper fry, Mackerel fry, Nethallu or Anchovy fry, Apollo fish fry, Mullet fry, fish Manchuria, chilli fish, prawn pakoda (fritters), crab fry etc. There are also a few chicken, egg and vegetarian dishes. What is absolutely unique is Nethallu or Anchovy fried rice.
Delicious crispy nethallu fry, Image By: Ranita
I settled for two fried items from the menu: Nethallu fry and prawn pakoda. The first one surpassed my expectations with its freshness, crispy yet meaty flesh and distinct flavours. Despite being batter-coated deep fried, the fish's taste was intact and wasn't greasy.
Srinivasa, happy to cook and serve, Image By: Ranita Ray
"This is our star dish. It sells like hot cake every day. People from as far as Anakapalle (60 km from Vizag) come to taste our Nethallu fry. We don't use any artificial colours or additives. Every preparation has healthy and safe ingredients. Only branded sunflower oil is employed, and the used oil of the day is discarded on a daily basis. People's well-being is our priority," states Srinivasa with a grin.
Yummy prawn pakoda
Coming back to my second dish, i.e., prawn pakoda or fritters, I was impressed with the suppleness of the prawns, which was retained despite the batter coating. It vouched for the fantastic marination this couple follow, which suffuses flavours and keeps the meat soft instead of getting rubbery. While serving, they sprinkle some homemade spice mix, a perfect reminder of local taste.
Food truck serving seafood at street food, Image Source: iPhonography
Srinivasa informs that they have been running this food truck for the past five years. Initially, it was supported by the Fisheries Department. Gradually, with their constant hard work, they took over its complete operation. But that didn't make this couple change their core principles, i.e., serving food with happiness and honesty. Thus, each item is still priced at a nominal cost.
If you wish to experience the seafood delicacies in an unfiltered manner, without any fancy and frills, and most importantly, as street food, head to Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Seafood.
Timing: 4.30 pm to 10.30 pm (every day)
Location: Near Tenneti Park, Opp. Kailashagiri Hills, Jadugupalem, Visakhapatnam
Price for 2: INR 200-300
