Topse Paturi

Name: Topse Paturi
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian (Westbengal)
Ingredients: Topse (mango fish/gangetic hairfin): 500g (8–10 fish, whole); Yellow mustard paste: 2 tbsp; Green chillies: 5, finely chopped; Turmeric: ¾ tsp; Coconut, grated: 2 tbsp; Mustard oil: 2 tbsp; Salt: 1 tsp; Banana leaves: 8 pieces; Topse has many small bones — eat slowly; the bones are soft and partly edible; Topse's natural sweetness shines with less spice — don't overload the paste; Pan-charring the leaf adds a subtle smoky note that steaming does not; Available mainly October–March; frozen works but fresh is superior

🍗 Non-veg🌾 Gluten-free📊 Easy

Mango fish (topse) wrapped in banana leaf with mustard paste and steamed or pan-cooked — a delicate, quick Bengali dinner prized for the fish's natural sweetness.

⏱️15 minPrep

🔥15 minCook

🕒30 minTotal

🍽️4Serves

🧺 Ingredients

Topse (mango fish/gangetic hairfin): 500g (8–10 fish, whole)
Yellow mustard paste: 2 tbsp
Green chillies: 5, finely chopped
Turmeric: ¾ tsp
Coconut, grated: 2 tbsp
Mustard oil: 2 tbsp
Salt: 1 tsp
Banana leaves: 8 pieces
Available mainly October–March; frozen works but fresh is superior

👩‍🍳 How to make Topse Paturi

Mix mustard paste, green chillies, coconut, turmeric, salt and mustard oil.
Coat fish thoroughly.
Soften banana leaves over flame.
Place 1–2 fish per leaf piece; fold into sealed parcels.
Place parcels in flat heavy pan; cook 6 min per side until leaf is lightly charred and fish cooked through (it firms when done).
Open parcels; serve hot with rice and a squeeze of lime.

📖 Cultural notes

|---|---|---|---|---| | 240 kcal | 26g | 4g | 14g | 1g | Topse (mango fish) gets its name from the mango-like shape of its body — it is one of the most beloved fish in West Bengal. Available seasonally, it commands premium prices in Kolkata's fish markets. Topse Paturi is the signature dish of the cold season (October–February) when topse is at its fattest. It is a very traditional preparation — grandmothers' recipe that younger urban Bengalis are now rediscovering. ---

Track the macros of Topse Paturi and 100s of Indian dishes with Nutri Macro India.