How To Make Alleppey Fish Curry: A Kerala-Style Accompaniment For Rice

By Devi Poojari

November 10, 2025

The tangy, spice-forward fish curry is robust with flavours of aromatics, coconut and a touch of raw mango—all of which offsets the delicate flavours the seafood. Serve it warm, over rice, as a delicious and no-fuss dinner option to tide through a busy week.

INGREDIENTS

500 grams fish fillets 2 large onions, sliced 2 tomatoes, diced 1-inch piece ginger, julienned 4-5 cloves garlic, sliced 10-12 curry leaves 3-4 green chillies, slit lengthwise ½ raw mango, sliced 1 cup coconut milk 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 teaspoon red chilli powder 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds 4 tablespoons coconut oil Salt, to taste

STEP 1

Heat the oil in a large pan and temper the mustard seeds as well as curry leaves.

STEP 2

Tip in the ginger, garlic and green chillies to cook for a minute or two before adding in the sliced onions.

STEP 3

Sprinkle a pinch of salt and let the onions soften for 3-4 minutes, before adding the turmeric and chilli powders.

STEP 4

Once the raw smell of the spice powders dissipate, add the tomatoes and season generously with salt.

STEP 5

Allow the mixture to get slightly mushy before adding in quarter cup of water, followed by the coconut milk.

STEP 6

Mix well to combine and gently place the fillets of fish (skin-side down) in the curry mixture to simmer for 7-8 minutes, covered with a lid.

STEP 7

Add in the raw mango pieces at the end and simmer further for a couple of minutes before turning off the heat and serving warm over rice.