From Our Family's Hands
To Your Plate
Three generations of coastal wisdom. Traditional karuvadu made the way it's always been — with salt, sun, and love.
Born by the Sea, Raised with Tradition
Mom's Salty Fish began not as a business, but as a way of life. For generations, our family has lived along the Tamil Nadu coastline in the small fishing village of Vanagiri — waking before dawn, heading out to sea, and returning with the day's fresh catch.
It was our grandmother who first started drying fish the traditional way — laying them out under the open Tamil Nadu sky, seasoned with natural sea salt, turned by hand each day. No shortcuts. No chemicals. Just patience and the warmth of the sun.
Today, we carry that same tradition forward. Every batch of karuvadu we prepare is made exactly as it was three generations ago — fresh catch sourced directly from local fishermen, cleaned and dried naturally, and packed with care to reach families across India who crave that authentic coastal flavor.
Vanagiri Village, Tamil Nadu
Where every morning begins at the sea and every evening ends with the smell of fish drying in the golden sun.
How We Make Our Karuvadu
Every batch is prepared by hand — no machines, no shortcuts. Here's exactly what happens from sea to your plate.
We procure only the freshest catch directly from local fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coastline. We source from trusted fishing villages close to home — keeping everything local, seasonal, and genuinely fresh.
Each fish is thoroughly washed with clean water to remove impurities. Then it's hand-cleaned — scaled, gutted, and trimmed based on the variety. This careful cleaning is what gives our karuvadu its clean, pure taste with no fishy bitterness.
100% hand-cleaned · No machinesWe add natural sea salt — not too much, not too little. The exact amount of salt and the method depends on the fish variety. Some fish are rubbed with dry salt, while others are soaked in a light brine (salt + water) for the right amount of time before drying. This step draws out moisture and begins preservation — the traditional way.
Natural sea salt only · Fish-specific methodThe salted fish are spread out carefully on raised drying racks in an open sun-exposure area. The Tamil Nadu coastal sun and sea breeze do the rest. Each fish is turned by hand every day to ensure even drying on all sides.
Minimum 3 days of drying — but many varieties need longer. Thicker fish like Vanjaram or Sura may take up to a week or more. We never rush this step. The fish is ready only when it's ready.
Min. 3 days · Varies by fish size & varietyOnce dried, every batch is checked by hand — inspected for colour, texture, and smell to ensure it meets our family's standard. Only the best pieces make it to packing. We vacuum-seal each order to lock in freshness and aroma, then pack securely for safe delivery anywhere in India.
Hand-inspected · Vacuum sealed · Ships pan-IndiaNo artificial preservatives. No chemical treatment. No shortcuts.
Just fresh fish, natural sea salt, and the Tamil Nadu sun — exactly the way it has been done in our family for over three generations. That's the only recipe we know.
The Mom's Salty Fish Difference
We don't just sell dry fish. We share a tradition that has fed families for over a century.
100% Fresh Catch
Fish sourced daily from local Vanagiri fishermen — never frozen before drying. You get the real thing.
Sun-Dried Naturally
Dried the traditional way under the Tamil Nadu sun. No artificial dryers, no chemicals, no shortcuts.
No Preservatives
Just fish and sea salt. That's it. The natural drying process is the only preservation we use.
Hand-Prepared
Every piece is cleaned, salted, and turned by hand. The same way our grandmother taught us.
Family Business
Not a factory. A family. You're buying directly from the people who make it — with pride.
Vacuum Sealed
Packed airtight to lock in freshness and aroma, and shipped safely to any corner of India.
Ships Pan-India
Free delivery within Tamil Nadu. Flat ₹60 for all other states. We bring the coast to you.
Direct Support
Have a question? You're talking to the family, not a call center. We're always just a WhatsApp away.
Our Karuvadu Collection
A variety of traditional dry fish prepared with the same care, no matter which type you choose.
Nethili Karuvadu
Tiny but full of flavor. Anchovies dried to crispy perfection — the most popular karuvadu variety.
Vanjaram Karuvadu
King mackerel dry fish — prized for its meaty texture and bold, smoky flavor.
Eral Karuvadu
Sun-dried prawns that add an intense umami punch to any dish.
Sura Karuvadu
Dried shark — a traditional delicacy, especially loved in coastal Tamil Nadu cooking.
Kanava Karuvadu
Dried squid with a chewy bite and distinctive taste, perfect for coastal curries.
& More Varieties
Catfish, ribbon fish, pomfret and more — all available in our full product range.
Rooted in Vanagiri, Tamil Nadu
Vanagiri is a small coastal village in Tamil Nadu where fishing is not just a livelihood — it's a heritage. Our family has lived and worked here for generations, and every batch of karuvadu we make carries the spirit of this place.
When you order from Mom's Salty Fish, you're not just buying dry fish. You're supporting a traditional family business from a small Tamil Nadu village, keeping centuries-old practices alive.
Vanagiri, Tamil Nadu
Coastal Tamil Nadu