{"count":8,"regions":[{"id":6,"region":"Bengal Coast","state":"West Bengal","specialties":"Hilsa (Ilish),Pomfret,Prawns (Chingri),Bhetki (Barramundi),Crab","famous_dishes":"Ilish Bhapa (steamed hilsa in mustard),Chingri Malai Curry,Bhetki Paturi,Fish Cutlet,Doi Maach","best_restaurants":"6 Ballygunge Place (Kolkata),Oh! Calcutta (Kolkata),Kewpie's (Kolkata),Ballygunj Place","description":"Bengal's obsession with fish is legendary. Hilsa (ilish) during monsoon is treated like a festival. Mustard oil, mustard paste, and posto (poppy seed) define the flavors. The steamed hilsa in banana leaf is poetry."},{"id":1,"region":"Goa","state":"Goa","specialties":"Goan prawn curry,Fish recheado,Crab xec xec,Kingfish,Pomfret","famous_dishes":"Fish Curry Rice (staple),Prawn Balchao (pickle),Ambot Tik (sour-spicy curry),Rava Fried Fish,Crab Xec Xec","best_restaurants":"Ritz Classic,Martin's Corner,Fisherman's Wharf,Brittos,Vinayak Family Restaurant","description":"Goan seafood is defined by coconut, kokum, tamarind and vinegar. Portuguese influence creates unique preparations like recheado (masala-stuffed) and cafreal (green herb-based). Every meal revolves around fish curry rice."},{"id":8,"region":"Gujarat Coast","state":"Gujarat","specialties":"Pomfret,Surmai,Prawns,Bombil,Crab","famous_dishes":"Gujarati Fish Curry (mild coconut),Tandoori Pomfret,Fish Pakora,Prawn Biryani,Diu Fish Curry","best_restaurants":"Apana Foodland (Diu),Ram Vijay (Veraval),Toran Hotel restaurants,Ahmedabad non-veg zones","description":"While Gujarat is known for vegetarian food, the coastal belt has a rich fish-eating tradition. Diu's seafood is closest to Goan style. The Koli fishing community in Saurashtra makes excellent simple fish curries."},{"id":3,"region":"Kerala","state":"Kerala","specialties":"Karimeen (Pearl Spot),Meen Curry,Prawns,Mussels,Crabs","famous_dishes":"Kerala Fish Curry (Meen Moilee),Karimeen Pollichathu (pearl spot in banana leaf),Prawn Masala,Mussels Fry,Crab Roast","best_restaurants":"Fort Kochi seafood stalls,Kayees Rahmathulla (Kochi),Malabar Junction (Kochi),Thaff (Calicut)","description":"Kerala seafood revolves around coconut oil, curry leaves, and kodampuli (Malabar tamarind). Karimeen pollichathu — pearl spot fish wrapped in banana leaf — is the state's signature. The fish curries improve on day two."},{"id":2,"region":"Konkan (Maharashtra)","state":"Maharashtra","specialties":"Bombil (Bombay duck),Surmai (Kingfish),Pomfret,Bangda (Mackerel),Kolambi (Prawns)","famous_dishes":"Malvani Fish Curry,Sol Kadhi,Bombil Fry,Surmai Tawa Fry,Kolambi Bhaat (prawn rice)","best_restaurants":"Gajalee (Mumbai),Mahesh Lunch Home (Mumbai),Sindhudurg Kitchen (Tarkarli),Highway Gomantak (Mumbai)","description":"Malvani cuisine from Sindhudurg is the crown jewel — fiery red coconut curries with fresh catch. Mumbai's street-side Bombil fry and surmai fry are legendary. Sol kadhi (kokum coconut drink) is the perfect accompaniment."},{"id":4,"region":"Mangalore & Coastal Karnataka","state":"Karnataka","specialties":"Kane (Ladyfish),Bangude (Mackerel),Anjal (Kingfish),Prawns,Crabs","famous_dishes":"Kane Fry,Bangude Pulimunchi (tamarind mackerel),Neer Dosa with Fish Curry,Kori Rotti,Prawn Ghee Roast","best_restaurants":"Machali (Mangalore),Hotel Narayana (Udupi),Giri Manja's (Mangalore),Fish Market at Malpe","description":"Mangalorean seafood is all about fresh catch cooked with byadagi chili, coconut and tamarind. Kane (ladyfish) fried golden is iconic. Neer dosa (rice crepe) with red fish curry is the ultimate combo."},{"id":7,"region":"Odisha Coast","state":"Odisha","specialties":"Hilsa,Pomfret,Prawns,Crab,Rohu","famous_dishes":"Macha Besara (fish in mustard),Crab Kalia,Chingudi Jhola (prawn curry),Dahi Macha (fish in curd),Macha Ghanta","best_restaurants":"Dalma (Bhubaneswar),Odisha Hotel (Puri),Wildgrass (Bhubaneswar),Mayfair restaurants","description":"Odisha coastal cuisine uses mustard oil, panch phoron (five spice), and less chili compared to Bengal. Puri's beachside fish fry stalls are iconic. The temple town surprisingly has excellent non-veg outside temple zones."},{"id":5,"region":"Tamil Nadu Coast","state":"Tamil Nadu","specialties":"Seer Fish,Prawns,Crab,Squid,Mussels","famous_dishes":"Chettinad Fish Curry,Meen Kuzhambu,Fish Fry (Varuval),Nandu Rasam (crab soup),Kanavai Fry (squid)","best_restaurants":"Ponnusamy (Chennai),Anjappar (Chennai),Bay of Buddha (Mahabalipuram),Cafe des Arts (Pondicherry)","description":"Tamil Nadu coast blends Chettinad spices with fresh seafood. The meen kuzhambu (fish curry) with tamarind and fenugreek is soul food. Chennai's Marina Beach fish stalls serve hot fried fish at sunset."}]}