Discover the magic of Hilsa fish with these fantastic Ilish Mach recipes! You'll learn how to create simple and delicious meals, from the tangy Shorshe Ilish to the creamy Doi Ilish. Get inspired and explore a world of the best Ilish Mach recipes!

Is the famous Ilish fish in trouble?

The Ilish, a well-known fish in the Indo-Bangladesh region, migrates between salty and fresh water throughout its life. Sadly, overfishing, bad fishing practices, and pollution are putting the Ilish at risk.

So, how can you enjoy Ilish without harming its population?

Here's a plan that I use. My family and I have reduced the amount of Ilish we buy. This works for a small family. We only buy Ilish twice a year, always choosing fish that weigh over 1.5kg.

• After cleaning the fish, I divide it into four portions.
• I prepare Ilish Macher Ambole using the head and tail. The remaining portions, about four pieces each, are used to create different dishes. This way, we can enjoy a variety of delicious meals without buying too much fish.
• If we happen to visit Digha, Madarmani, or Sankarpur during the Ilish season, we might buy two or three whole fish (around 1.5kg each) and freeze them. But this doesn't happen every year.
• The key is to carefully plan how you'll use the one or two fish you buy.
• Even if we really want to buy lots of Ilish fish, and even if we can afford it, we should hold back. It's the smallest thing we can do to help protect these fish.
• And most importantly, please don't buy baby Ilish, called Khoka Ilish.

20+ best Ilish Mach Recipes - a roundup

Ilish Macher Sorshe bata diye Jhal | Shorshe Ilish | Hilsa Fish in Mustard Gravy

A classic Bengali fish curry called Ilish Macher Sorshe bata diye Jhal is made with Ilish Mach. This dish is also known as Shorshe Ilish or Ilish Macher Jhal.

Check out this recipe

1

Ilish Beguner Jhol (Hilsa Fish and Eggplant Curry)

Ilish Beguner jhol is a light curry cooked with Fresh Hilsa and wedges of Eggplant aka Begun and is a comforting Hilsa fish curry.

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2

Lau Patay Ilish Paturi

Paraphrase A renowned Bengali cuisine, the Lau Patay Ilish Paturi involves cooking Hilsa fish, also known as Ilish Mach, with an assortment of spices in a packet of Bottle Gourd Greens until it reaches a state of flawlessness.

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3

Narkel Doodh-e Ilish Mach | Hilsa Fish Curry with Coconut Milk

Narkel Doodh-e Ilish Mach is a tantalizing dish featuring Hilsa Fish cooked in a mouthwatering coconut Milk curry. The aroma and taste of this combination are both delicate and flavorful.

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4

Kumro diye Ilish Macher Jhol (Hilsa fish curry with Pumpkin)

Kumro diye Ilish Macher Jhol is a subtle yet flavorful Bengali Hilsa fish curry cooked with Pumpkin.

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5

Doodh Ilish

Doodh Ilish is a light milk-based curry cooked with Hilsa fish and a few selected spices. This is a comforting Ilish mach recipe and for sure is easy to cook.

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6

Masoor Daler Patla Khichuri aar Ilish Mach Bhaja | Bengali Musoorir Dal Khichdi and Hilsa Fish Fry Combo Recipe

Masoor Daler Patla Khichuri is a signature Bengali runny Khichri cooked with Red Lentils and Gobindobhog Rice. This when served with Ilish bhaja is considered a quintessential Bengali meal of Khichuri and Ilish Bhaja!

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7

Ilish Mach er Dim Bhuna | Ilish Mach er Dim er Jhuri

Ilish Mach er Dim Bhuna is a flavourful dish made with Hilsa Roe, Onion, Garlic, Green Chillies, and a blend of special spices. It is prepared by stir-frying the ingredients, resulting in a dish known as Ilish Mach er Dim er Jhuri.

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8

Barishali Ilish aka Ilish Barishali

Barishali Ilish is a Bengali Hilsa curry cooked with Mustard, Curd and Coconut paste

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9

Sada Ilish aka Ilisher Pani Khola (Ilish Pani Khola)

Ilish Pani Khola aka Sada Ilish is a light curry prepared with Ilish mach and also almost no spices apart from salt and green chili.

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10

Doi Ilish | Bengali Hilsa Fish in Yogurt Curry recipe

Doi Ilish is a classic Bengali Fish curry cooked with Hilsa Fish aka Ilish Mach along with curd aka yogurt

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11

Bhapa Ilish or Steamed Hilsa Fish

Bhapa Ilish or steamed Hilsa is a signature Bengali fish preparation where Hilsa Fish or Ilish Maach is steamed along with spices and ended on a mouth-watering fish curry.

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12

Kasundi Ilish

Kasundi Ilish is an easy Bengali mustard gravy-based Hilsa fish preparation. This is an instant hilsa curry recipe.

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13

Ilish Macher Tok aka Ilish Macher Tawk

Ilish Macher Tok is a signature Bengali style runny Fish Chutney prepared with mainly Hilsa Head and tail. This dish is characterized by the balance of sweet and sour flavors.

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14

Ilish Shukto Recipe

Ilish Shukto is a Bengali-style Hilsa Fish and veggie curry flavored with Randhuni and five spices. This is different from the general Shuto.

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15

Mawa Ghater Ilish Macher Lejar Bhorta | Ilish Macher Bhorta

A dish called Ilish Macher Lyajar Bhorta, which is a Mash made with Hilsa fish, is well-known in Bangladesh. However, it is particularly renowned in Mawaghat, where street-side restaurants serve it.

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16

Ilish Pulao | Bengali Hilsa Pulao Recipe

Ilish Pulao is a signature Bengali delicacy where hilsa fish is cooked with rice to the level of perfection

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17

Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi

Ilish Macher Matha diye Badhakopi aka Hilsa fish head cooked with Cabbage is a Bengali fish-based side dish.

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18

Nona Ilish Bhorta Recipe

Nona Ilish Bhorta is a Bangladeshi Fish Mash prepared with Salted Hilsa Fish aka Nona Ilish.

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19

Ilish Macher Korma

Ilish Macher Korma, a special Hilsa fish curry featuring onions and garlic, offers a unique flavor different from other Hilsa preparations. Particularly popular in Bangladesh, this delightful dish is sure to become a favorite. Here's the recipe for you to try!

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20

Bori Begun Aloo diye Ilish Macher Tel Jhol

Bori Begun Aloo diye Ilish Macher Tel Jhol is a belovedBengali fish curry, featuring Hilsa fish, potatoes, aubergine, and bori - thosedelightful sun-dried lentil dumplings.

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21

Masoor Daler Patla Khichuri aar Ilish Mach Bhaja | Bengali Musoorir Dal Khichdi and Hilsa Fish Fry Combo Recipe

Masoor Daler Patla Khichuri is a signature Bengali runny Khichri cooked with Red Lentils and Gobindobhog Rice. This when served with Ilish bhaja is considered a quintessential Bengali meal of Khichuri and Ilish Bhaja!

Check out this recipe

22

My Favorite Fish Recipes

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Have you tried any of the Ilish Mach Recipe Ideas from Debjanir Rannaghar!

Please inform me of your experience and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.

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About Debjani Chatterjee Alam

I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.

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