Description
King Fish — Vanjaram in Tamil, Neymeen in Malayalam, Surmai across Goa and Maharashtra, and Anjal in coastal Karnataka — is the fish South Asian families reach for when the meal matters. It’s a firm, meaty seer fish that cuts into clean steaks around a single central bone, with none of the fiddly small bones. That’s exactly why it crisps up so well in a fry and holds its shape in a curry.
Loved across communities
At our counter, Vanjaram is a favourite with Tamil and Malayali households, Sri Lankan Tamil families, and Goan and Konkani cooks alike. People buy it for an occasion — a Sunday fish fry, guests coming over, or a wedding or festival table where only the best will do. Because the steaks are thick and easy to eat, it’s also the fish many parents pick for children.
Popular dishes
The classic is Vanjaram meen varuval, a South Indian fish fry — steaks marinated in chilli, turmeric and ginger-garlic, then tawa-fried until the edges catch. It’s just as good in a tamarind meen kuzhambu (fish curry), a Kerala-style neymeen curry in coconut, a Goan surmai fry or curry, and Sri Lankan fish cutlets. A squeeze of lemon and a hot grill, and it sits happily on a Western plate too.
Recipe ideas
Simmer it into our Goan fish curry (xitt kodi), or try it baked Kerala-style in Fish Nirvana. Browse more in our seafood recipes.
Cut your way, packed fresh
Tell us how you’re cooking and we’ll prepare it to match — thick steaks for frying, chunkier pieces for curry, or whole and cleaned. Every order is cut by hand, then vacuum-packed in an individually sealed bag and dispatched fresh on the day it leaves us, at £16.99 per kg.
Good to know
Is King Fish the same as Surmai or seer fish?
Yes — it’s all one fish. King Fish is the English name for seer fish: Surmai in Goa and Maharashtra, Vanjaram in Tamil, Neymeen in Kerala, and Anjal in coastal Karnataka.
What does King Fish taste like?
Mild and clean rather than strongly fishy, with firm, meaty flesh that holds together when cooked. That firmness is exactly why it’s the go-to for a crisp fry or a hearty curry.
Is King Fish good for frying?
It’s one of the best. The firm steaks crisp beautifully and don’t break up, which is why Vanjaram fry is such a South Indian staple.
Does King Fish have many bones?
No — just the one central bone and no small ones, so it’s easy to eat and a safe choice for children.
How is it packed for delivery?
Every fish is vacuum-packed in its own sealed bag and sent chilled, so it arrives fresh and clean with no leaks or smells in the box.
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