Top
5 Most Expensive Fish in Malaysia
Malaysia - a country that is synonymous with an amazing variety of
distinctively delicious food, thanks to the melting pot of cultures that exist
in harmony here. If someone were to try and do a write-up of the types of food
that can be found in abundance in this country, it would be never-ending. So we
decided that we'd write about a creature that can be found in at least one of
the dishes from all of the cultures: the fish. Fish first appeared in existence
around 530 million years ago and the evolution of this creature led to what is
now a highly versatile source of meat. Do read on for the top 5 most expensive
fish to be found in Malaysia:
Ikan Empurau
1) Can you imagine anyone doling out about RM550 for a kilogram of
fish (and that is just the cheapest price you can get)? Neither can I. But that
is exactly what many food connoisseurs are doing for a type of freshwater fish
called the "Empurau" from the Tor tambroides species, or
also known as "忘不了 (unforgettable) in Chinese. This fish can only be found in
Sarawak, and is prized for its sweet, tender flesh and smooth texture. What
makes its flesh that way and commanding hefty price tags that can reach up to
RM2,000, is their diet of "Engkabang" fruits and flowers.
Ikan Jelawat
2) A type of fish that has flesh which is similarly sweet and fine
like the Empurau's but with a price tag that isn't as hefty is the Sultan Fish,
or also known as Ikan Jelawat. This fish is from the Leptobarbus
hoevenii species and belong to the Barb family. The flesh of this
omnivore fish is soft with a subtly sweet flavour accompnaied by a nice layer
of fat under the skin, probably due to the fact that this fish eats the fruit
that fall near the riverbanks. It would set you back about RM320 for a kilogram
of this tasty fish, quite a dent in the pocket as well.
Ikan Semah
3) Ikan Semah, from the Tor Labeobarbus species, is indigenous to Borneo's higher
reaches of freshwater rivers as it cannot be found anywhere outside this range.
They are omnivores but usually prefer a diet of localized plant materials. Much
of its natural habitat is affected by pollution and and their population in the
wild is quickly dwindling, brought on by agriculture, logging and overfishing.
Due to its exclusivity and different textures between the wild Ikan Semah to
the cultured ones, the price per kilogram for this breed of fish can reach
RM300, a pretty penny indeed.
Ikan Tengadak
4) For those looking for something that is still tasty would
probably want to check out the "Ikan Tengadak" which is native to the
waters of Borneo. It has a price tag of about RM250 per kilogram and it is a rather
bony fish with tiny "Y-shaped" fish bones. That aside, this breed has
similarly very sweet and flaky flesh and is good in taste, making it a popular
choice for people who are looking for a delicate freshness and good quality
fish at a more affordable price.
Ikan Ketutu
5) Finally, we have the Marble Goby fish, or "Soon Hock"
fish as it is more popularly known in Malaysia ("Ikan Ketutu" in
Malay). This fish is one of the biggest of gobies and comes from the Oxyeleotris
Marmoratus species and its
natural habitat is the brackish waters of streams, canals and lakes. As always,
expensive fishes will have the trademark smooth, sweet, flaky and finely
textured flesh. Coming in at RM100 per kilogram, this fish rounds up our list
of Malaysia's Top 5 Most Expensive Fishes!
|
Type of Fish
|
RM per KG
|
|
Ikan Empurau
|
RM550
|
|
Ikan Jelawat
|
RM320
|
|
Ikan Semah
|
RM300
|
|
Ikan Tengadak
|
RM250
|
|
Ikan Ketutu
|
RM100
|
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