Fish Cut Types Explained — What to Order for Curry, Fry and More
When you order fish from Onsup Fresh in Kozhikode, you can specify exactly how you want the fish cut. Different cuts suit different preparations. Here is a simple guide to all the common fish cut types and when to use each one.
Common Fish Cut Types
Curry Cut
The fish is scaled, gutted and cut into even pieces through the bone — typically 2–3 cm thick. This is the most common cut for Kerala-style fish curries. The bone adds flavour to the gravy.
Best for: Neymeen curry, Ayala curry, Meen vevichathu
Fry Cut
The fish is cut into thinner slices — around 1–1.5 cm thick — so it cooks quickly and crisps up in the pan. Scoring (2–3 cuts through the skin on each side) is done to help the marinade penetrate.
Best for: Neymeen fry, Ayala fry, Karimeen fry
Steak Cut
A thick cross-section cut (3–4 cm) through a large fish. The center bone remains. Steaks are ideal for grilling, baking or pan-searing where you want a substantial piece.
Best for: Neymeen steak, Koduva steak, Vanjaram steak
Whole Cleaned
The fish is scaled and gutted but left whole. Typically scored for frying or used for pollichathu (wrapped and cooked). The whole fish presentation is also preferred for certain curries.
Best for: Karimeen pollichathu, Avoli fry, Mathi fry
Fillet
The flesh is removed from the bones in flat slices. Boneless and skinless or skin-on. Best for people who prefer eating without bones.
Best for: Kids meals, baking, health-conscious cooking
Head Separate
The fish head is separated from the body. Many families order the head specifically for meen thala curry (fish head curry), which is considered the richest part.
Best for: Fish head curry, stock and gravy
How to Specify Your Cut When Ordering
- •When ordering on WhatsApp, simply say: "1 kg Neymeen, curry cut" or "500g Ayala, fry cut".
- •For whole fish, say "whole cleaned" or "whole with head".
- •For head separately, say "head only" or "body only without head".
- •Onsup Fresh cuts to your specification at no extra charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Onsup cut fish to my specification in Kozhikode?
Yes. All fish from Onsup Fresh is cleaned, scaled and cut to your exact requirement. Just specify the cut type when ordering on WhatsApp.
What is the difference between curry cut and fry cut?
Curry cut pieces are thicker (2–3 cm) for cooking in gravy. Fry cut pieces are thinner (1–1.5 cm) so they cook faster and get crispy.
Can I order fish head separately?
Yes. Onsup Fresh can supply fish heads separately for meen thala curry. Check availability on WhatsApp.
Order fresh fish or meat for this recipe from Onsup Fresh — cleaned, cut & delivered to your door in Kozhikode.