Flavour-Packed Dishes for all the Curious Fish Lovers in Canberra

For those who know fish is more than just a product, it’s a bite of ocean bounty.

If you love seafood, like truly love it, then you know it’s not just about the oceanic freshness. It’s about what’s done after the catch to preserve it, to amplify it, and to complement it. Balancing it all out with the right heat and the right spice while preserving that natural sweetness and layering it with bold, comforting flavours.

That’s why so many seafood lovers eventually find themselves drawn to South Indian cuisine. It’s one of the few culinary traditions that knows how to treat fish without drowning them in heavy sauces or over-complicating it.

And within South India, Kerala takes things to another level. With curries built around fish and then elevated with flavours of curry leaves, coconut, pepper, tamarind, mustard seeds, garlic, and more.

Ask any Keralite, and they will tell you that fish isn't a weekend treat. In fact, for some, it is a daily occurrence. Interestingly, for many families, lunch without fish curry is simply insufficient and incomplete.

So if you’re the kind of person who lights up at the sight of prawns or who can smell curry leaves from a mile away and someone who still remembers that one unforgettable fish curry on a beach trip ten years ago, then this list is for you.

1. Kottayam Fish Curry – The Spicy-Tangy One That Stays in Your Mind

This is Kerala’s signature punch of heat and sourness. The base? Kudampuli (smoked kokum), red chilli, garlic, and a generous drizzle of coconut oil. The curry is fiery but also balanced with a dark and glossy base, finished with pieces of perfectly cooked fish that soak up the tang. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but for those who love bold flavours and dare to try something unforgettable.

Best with: Steamed rice. And ideally, a quiet afternoon to enjoy the nap that follows.

2. Fish Masala – Fragrant, Rich, and Deeply Satisfying

Here’s a dish that feels like something your mother might make on a Sunday when the whole family is around. This one’s all about the Indian spices, or masalas, like roasted coconut, black pepper, garlic, onions, fennel, and warm spices, all slow-cooked into a masala that clings lovingly to each piece of fish. It’s rich without being heavy. Comforting without being boring. And the texture is thick and spoon-coating. The aroma? Instant comfort. You’ll get that comforting “home-cooked” feeling, with a hint of sophistication that comes from layering flavours slowly over time.

Perfect for ghee rice or parotta to mop up the last bit.

3. Fish Moilee – The Creamy Crowd-Pleaser

This gentle curry whispers warmth. It's soft, elegant, and golden. Fish moile is all about that soft restraint. For this delicacy, creamy coconut milk is simmered gently with ginger, green chilli, and turmeric until it becomes a buttery broth that hugs the fish without smothering or overpowering it. The fish stands front and centre, subtly enhanced, not overwhelmed. It's mild in heat but rich in warmth. The gravy is light yet luscious, coaxing you into bite after bite. This is a kind of dish that can win over even the pickiest eaters. It’s the dish that makes you close your eyes and sigh.

Try it with: Appam or freshly layered parottas. It’s a pairing that just always makes sense.

4. Prawn Moilee – The Briny, Silky Comfort Dish

Take everything you love about Fish Moilee, but this time with juicy, plump prawns that add a natural sweetness and just the right amount of bite. It’s smooth, subtly spiced, and ridiculously easy to finish before you realise you’ve had three servings. It’s indulgent, comforting, and soul-satisfying.

Why we love it:  The prawns soak up the sauce like little sponges. And every bite melts. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a hug, only silkier and with prawns.

5. Prawn Fry – Crispy, Spicy & Addictive

If you’re the type who wants your seafood with some crunch and fire, this one’s for you. Marinated in red chilli, turmeric, and garlic, then pan-fried until crisp and golden. The edges caramelise. The spices sizzle. One bite and you're hooked. Best eaten hot. There’s no gravy, no garnish, just pure flavour and crunch. It's the kind of dish you steal pieces from while “waiting for dinner to start.” Close your eyes, and you’ll hear the sizzle. It reminds many of toddy shop snacks, spicy and bold, meant to whet your appetite and make your senses tingle.

Best enjoyed: Hot off the pan, with a squeeze of lime and zero distractions.

6. Fish Pollichathu – Wrapped, Seared, and Unforgettable

A dish that smells like a coastal breeze and is recognised as one of Kerala's culinary icons. Where fish is marinated in a spiced onion-tomato masala mix, wrapped lovingly in a banana leaf, and cooked until the flavours merge and the aroma turns smoky and irresistible. The leaf steams the fish, locking in moisture, while the masala caramelises into a smoky crust. You don’t even need to taste it; just the warm and earthy aroma that hits you the second the leaf is unwrapped is half the experience. It’s a ceremony in itself, grounded in tradition, celebrated on your plate.

Ideal for: Anyone who likes their fish with a little theatre (and a lot of flavour). For grilled seafood lovers, this is rustic, smoky perfection on a plate.

7. Prawn Masala – Thick, Spiced, and Finger-Licking Good

This one dish doesn’t hold back. Prawns are simmered in a thick masala made of roasted coconut, tomatoes, and deeply caramelised onions. It’s a flavour bomb that coats your tongue with a flavour that is a little sweet, spicy, and full of umami. It’s exactly the kind of meal you tell your friends about and make plans to revisit.

Goes best with: Appam, Malabar parotta, or anything that lets you scoop up every last bit generously.

Seafood done right doesn’t need fancy plating or six kinds of foam. It just needs honesty. And every dish on this list speaks of coastal air, backyard grinding stones, and hands that know exactly when to stir and when to stop. Whether you’re new to South Indian seafood or you’ve grown up with fish curry on the stove, this list is both a celebration and a homecoming. 

So next time your cravings lean coastal, you know where to begin.

Come Hungry

Whether you’re craving something creamy and comforting or bold and spicy, our seafood menu is a love letter to the coast. Made with fresh catch, ground spices, and traditional methods. Each dish is a sensory experience waiting to be savoured.

Round up your fellow foodies, bring your appetite, and claim a cosy table at Le Monsoon. Book your table now and savour the rich, coastal flavours from the best South Indian seafood restaurant in Canberra.

So… which one are you trying first?

If you are ready to taste the ocean, then your table is ready. Visit us at Le Monsoon and let your senses do the travelling.

Come hungry, leave full.