Red Mullet

Red mullet is a small pinkish-red fish that lives on sandy and muddy bottoms. Its close relative, the striped red mullet ('tekir'), lives on rocky bottoms and is darker, with stripes. Both have a legal minimum size of 13 cm. They come from the Marmara and the North Aegean from autumn to spring.

Red mullet or striped red mullet?

Red mullet has a steep snout; striped red mullet has a more pointed snout and dark lines on the dorsal fin. Its flesh is slightly firmer and more aromatic. Our board names whichever we have; we never mix the two.

Cooking

• Fried: whole, lightly floured — the favourite.
• En papillote: with olive oil, thyme and lemon.
• Grilled: larger fish, wrapped in vine leaves.

Red mullet liver is delicious and the fish is traditionally cooked ungutted; tell us when ordering if you prefer otherwise.