There is something so incredibly photogenic about fresh seafood. The same observation applies for fresh fruit and vegetables. I wouldn’t be so enthusiastic about describing meat 
and poultry in that manner. At the market last Saturday, we spied these super fresh looking kubal-kubal (very small size) or finny scads (Megalaspis cordyla) which I have already written a post about in the past (though on much larger specimens). This fish is good grilled over an open flame…its thick and protective fish scales protect the meat and easily come off once cooked. A member of the jack or trevally family, it is a relative of the talakitok and has a fine tasting, slightly oily, darkish meat. Serve hot off the grill with several sawsawans of soy, kalamansi, patis, siling labuyo, etc.
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Any fresh sea foods take pictures well – no make up, retouch or other prep work necessary just their bright eyes to capture their beauty. When grilling marinate can be eliminated just salt and oil or olive oil on the good side and the rest is history.
My take on this superbly fresh fish is to make paksiw. Simmered it with vinegar, water, ginger, talong, onions, salt and pepper to taste would a great dish for “tanghalian” After a nice lunch find yourself a “duyan” under a mango tree and go siesta.
My gosh, those fish are beautiful. I’ve almost forgotten what truely fresh fish look like, it’s so hard to get it in the middle of Texas. My friends think I’m crazy for being so critical about the fish in the groceries here, lol.
I like them fried! The crispier, the better. With mango/tomato salsa.
I have always seen this type of fish in the Philippines, I have always thought that they were also galunggong, kubal-kubal pala sya.
Hi MM! Those are nice shots. Do you sell copies of your pictures (especially the first photo)? I would love to frame them and place it on my kitchen, or office. Those are really incredible shots!!!!!
Yeah in bahasa it is called Ikan Tengkek, low cost fish in Indonesia but gaining acceptance. What is the retail price in Manila ??
Grilled with spicy toppings are the best
Johan, ikan ini kira-kira 12,000 rupiah per kilo. :) Heehee. I spent a few years in Jakarta in an earlier life…