Add some garlic, ginger, chopped onions, chilli powder, turmeric powder, pepper, and salt to a blander. Make a thick paste out of it.
Take the fish and make 3-4 deep cuts to it. Coat the fish with the masala paste and fill the cuts as well. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Heat some oil in a pan and add curry leaves to it. Then place the marinated fish inside and shallow fry it. Cover it with a lid.
Flip it over after one side turns golden brown.
Serve the tempting Kerela Style Fish Fry with onion rings and lime wedges.