Today is my lucky day. I stumbled upon the curry fish head stall which I had wanted to try for a long time but somehow didn't have a chance, until today. And, I wasn't even looking for it in particular today. So happy 😄
I was feeling famished and so decided to swing into Cedar Point Food Court, which is usually quiet during lunch time. There is also plenty of free parking. (The towering Hotel Grand Paragon is behind.)
Cedar Point Food Court is really a dinner and supper hangout. It is quiet during the day with just a few stalls operating.
As I have a major makan this evening, I was only looking for a light meal to tide me over, a wanton mee perhaps.
But, I ran into Ah Hoe 亞和, the boss of Century Curry Fish Head 世紀砂煲咖哩魚頭. I had long wanted to try 亞和's famous curry fish head.
I chatted a while with Ah Hoe, watched how meticulously he cleaned the heap of fresh fish heads one by one.
紅雞魚 (Ikan Merah), 紅鰽, Ang Koli fish (Golden Band Snapper) - no Ikan Jenahak or farm raised sea bass here.
I told Ah Hoe that I wanted the smallest serving possible, so he gave me this fresh Ang Koli fish head. The market fresh long beans, lady's finger, brinjal, tomatoes, chili pepper and tau pok were added into the clay pot. Ah Hoe told me that his Century Curry Fish Head was the first stall in JB to serve curry fish head in a clay pot 30 years ago.
Ah Hoe ladles in curry stock simmering in a large pot. Ah Hoe and his wife make the curry stock with spices from scratch at the stall. They do not use ready made curry stock from factories.
Ah Hoe finishes the curry fish head over high heat before serving.
Glorious bubbling steamy hot curry fish head in a clay pot served to your table by the friendly lady boss for RM25, no GST, no service charge.
The curry has just the right body with just the right amount of fresh coconut milk for me. The flavour is a well balanced sweet savoury spicy blend with pleasant zingy mild spicy heat. It is not greasy and highly drinkable.
The Ang Koli fish was very fresh. The meat's tender sweetness was accentuated by the mild curry. But, my favourite fish for curry fish head is still Ikan Merah 紅雞.
The fresh vegetables retained their juicy crunch and natural flavours well.
I singlehandedly emptied the whole clay pot of curry fish head - it was easy as it was so delicious. I am so full now. Burp. Later dinner, how ah? 😛
4-Star (out of 5). Top quality fresh fish and vegetables. Well balanced curry broth with good body. Very competitive price. Accessible central location, easy parking and no need to stand in a queue. Friendly service too.
(Ah Hoe who is Nyonya also serves a Nyonya style asam pedas fish head which I want to come back for next time.)
Restaurant name: Century Curry Fish Head 世紀砂煲咖哩魚頭
Address: Cedar Point Food Court Stall #54. Jalan Musang Bulan 2-16, Taman Century, 80250 Johor Bahru
Map: http://bit.ly/MengFang
GPS: 1.481492,103.762167 / 1°28'53.4"N 103°45'43.8"E
Hours: Daily 12:00am to 2:00pm | 5:00pm to 10:30pm (closed on Monday)
No pork, no lard, no Halal cert
Date visited: 12 Aug 2017
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Before long the queue will start. LOL
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