
Sarse Bata Boal Maach – Mustard Fish Curry Recipe from Kabita’s Kitchen
Barali or Boal Mas is a freshwater catfish commonly known as helicopter catfish or wallago catfish. It is mostly found in lakes, swamp or large rivers.
Various regional names are:
Assamese – Barali
Bengali – Boal
Bhojpuri – Barari
Hindi – Barwari
Kannada – Balai
Maithili – Barari
Malayalam – Attu Valai
Manipuri – Sareng
Marathi – Baloo
Odia – Boallee
Punjabi – Mully
Tamil – Valai
Telegu – Valaga
Today we will discuss a delicious Assamese/Bengali recipe made out of mustard paste and barali/boal fish. This recipe is shared by our guest author Kabita.

Sarse Bata Boal Maach - Mustard Fish Curry
Ingredients
- 4 Large Pieces Barali (Boal) Fish
- 2 tbsp Mustard Seeds
- 4 Green Chillies
- 1/2 tbsp Cumin (Jeera) Seeds
- Coriander Leaves for Garnishing
- 1 1/2 tbsp Turmeric (Haldhi) Powder
- 50 gm Mustard Oil
- Salt To Taste
Instructions
- Soak mustard seeds in water for 30 minutes. Then, put mustard seeds in a grinder and grind to make a smooth paste.
- Wash the fish pieces properly and marinate them with salt and turmeric powder. Now, heat oil in a pan over medium flame. Once hot, add these marinated fish pieces on it and fry till they turn brown from all the side. Keep it aside.
- In the same oil in the pan, saute by adding cumin seeds. Add 2 sliced green chillies and mustard seeds. Fry for 1-2 minutes.
- Add turmeric and salt. Mix well. Now pour a little hot water in this pan along with fried fish pieces. Let it simmer for 5 minutes. Keep medium flame.
- When gravy thickens, add 2 sliced green chillies and chopped coriander leaves. Mix the ingredients.
- Remove from fire. Sprinkle 1 tbsp of mustard oil.
Notes
Serve hot along with steamed rice.
Enjoy and Bon Appétit!!

