South Sea Seafood’s Empurau Feast Is Truly Unforgettable

From premium lobsters to exotic fish, South Sea Seafood has served up gourmet catches over the last four decades. One quick glance at its expansive displays of live seafood anticipates the oceanic delights you can expect at the table. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the establishment takes it one step further, bringing one of the most coveted freshwater fishes in Malaysia to its menu for a limited time from now until 31 October 2026—the Empurau Feast.

Priced at roughly RM1,300 per kilogram, the empurau (also known as 忘不了鱼, or Unforgettable Fish) is one that is highly sought after not only for its taste but also for its rarity. Found in the pristine, fast-flowing forest streams of Sarawak, it is difficult to catch, slow to mature, and hard to sustain outside of its natural habitat. For some, keeping the freshness of the fish intact is a feat of its own, but at South Sea Seafood, it comes easily.

“For us, we focus a lot on our water system, and we are very detailed about the filtering system,” Terrence Wong, owner of South Sea Seafood, explains. “We do this so that the fish will survive longer and remain fresh.”

Its specialised diet of local enkabang fruit, or illipe nut, gives it its rich, creamy, and fatty texture. Its flesh is sweet and slightly fruity when eaten on its own, and, when paired with rich soy sauce, has a harmonious contrast. Its habitat of clean, flowing rivers also gives it a fresh umami flavour and a delicate, clean savouriness, with zero earthy or muddy notes. The fish is served steamed whole with traditional Cantonese techniques, with its edible scales being a delicacy on their own—served deep-fried on the side, as a crispy snack.

The multi-course dining experience is priced at RM4,800 nett for eight pax, with dishes such as Australian lobster, sea cucumber, and Australian mud crab complementing the spread. Serving as a small introduction to a part of Malaysia that some may not have had the opportunity to experience, the Empurau Feast is truly unforgettable. As Wong puts it, “I understand it’s going to cost quite a lot to try this fish. Even so, I say, you need to try it at least once.”

For reservations and enquiries, contact South Sea Seafood here.