The Japanese horse mackerel is a poor sub for kembung

Can't find our local kembung ( Indian Mackerel ) fish anywhere , even if I do manage to find a batch , they look like they're rotting away ugh , but I was adamant on making ikan assam pedas nanas and ikan berlada sambal terung pipit ,  so I ended up with these  Japanese Horse Mackerels distinguishable from the black marking just behind the gill flap .

Meat is definitely firmer and the belly area holds up a heck of a lot more longer than kembung would . While there's also less bones , and it does taste like kembung to a certain extent , there is something lacking in the taste which I cannot put my finger on . On an afterthought , it's like having a croissant with no butter or Hokkien mee with no prawns , so to speak .

Threadfin for lunch

Popped into the local market earlier today and ended up purchasing this 12 inch long threadfin called Ikan Senangin in Malay or Ma Yau Yu in Cantonese .

Was torn between a mammoth , more meaty specimen costing MYR 30 . I really wanted the larger one but since the smaller one was way fresher , with a visible blueish tinge and clear eyes , while the bigger one looked like it was on the way to having cataracts  yeah I reluctantly settled for this at MYR 16 .

Giant Garoupa - Burma Food Paradise

Some people will take the next flight in just for this fish.

Considered a delicacy , it seems whichever shop owner successfully bids for the Big Ones most times sees enthusiasts clamouring for a portion.

Fish on Brick - Fenner Fish Restaurant, Kumkapi

Some say that one must never leave Istanbul without dining at one of the many fish restaurants , since the fish here is super fresh.

But as a tourist, though we may be at a disadvantage price wise, in getting a better deal, only a local would be able to recommend you a place like this, which by being way off the tourist belt , costs more reasonable. Thus it boils down to whether you can trust whoever it is you choose, to do the booking and recommendation for you. In my case, again it was thanks to the very handsome Ismail