Mota Fish is a hidden gem of a Keralite seafood restaurant in Al Barsha-1. Located behind the Ramada Chelsea Hotel, it is small on interior space but huge on culinary character. My foodie friends and I were blown away when we had lunch there earlier this week.
Small on interior space but huge on culinary character
We started with crispy, spicy anchovies (Natholi Fry) which have absolutely no fishy smell or aftertaste, and a similar dish with prawns (Special Prawns Fry). They were excellent; all of us noted how well they would complement beer night. Beautiful tawa fried fillets of lightly spiced Hamour followed, just before the light and fluffy Hoppers were brought to our table in preparation of the curries; first a tangy traditional Malabar Fish Curry and then my favourite, the Chemmeen Mango Curry with Prawns. As I said in my Instagram feed – organismic is the only word I have to describe the curries.
Natholi Fry 
Special Prawns Fry 
Tawa Fried Hamour 
Hoppers 
Malabar Fish Curry 
Chemmeen Mango Curry with Prawns 
Chemmeen Mango Curry with Prawns
As if to prove it’s not just seafood they specialise in, the boys at Mota Fish also served us one of the best Beef Fries (called Beef Nattinpuram) that I have ever tasted. Keralite Beef Fry is very similar to Indonesian Rendang. In between all this, the kitchen sent out a beautifully fried Pomfret, crisp on the outside yet perfectly cooked, moist and juicy on the inside. I can not tell you how fantastic everything was. Suffice that it must have been to have kept four super opinionated foodies so totally and completely happy.
Deep Fried Pomfret 
Beef Nattinpuram
Service is another Mota Fish strength. We were greeted, seated and pampered from the beginning to the end of our meal. So how much did such an extravagant meal cost? An unbelievable AED50 per head – peanuts for such quality and quantity. This little South Indian eatery is, without doubt, one of the best I have had the pleasure of eating at this year and is well worth a detour.
Hey! Now read this –
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on: xerxes@dellara.com
Many thanks for your extensive and valuable review. we truly appreciate your words. The whole team was thrilled to read through your comments. We truly value and appreciate your feedback.. We hope you will visit our new facility on Umm Suqueim street as soon as you are able to. Again, thank you very much from the entire team