What is acar ikan masin?
Acar ikan masin (also spelled achar) is a Malaysian salted fish acar: pieces of salted fish slow-cooked with fresh chillies, onions and garlic into a rich, savoury and mildly spicy sambal. It is a home-kitchen favourite across Malaysia, eaten with hot rice, nasi lemak or porridge, and often made in big batches for festive seasons and family gatherings.
What does it taste like?
Savoury and deeply umami from the salted fish, with gentle heat from the chillies and sweetness from slow-cooked onions. A good acar ikan masin has real fish in every spoonful, not just chilli paste.
Why kurau?
Kurau (threadfin) is one of the most prized fish for salting in Malaysia. Salted kurau is firm and flavourful. At AcarKing we cut it finely so every spoonful has fish in it and it's easy to eat, so give the jar a good stir from the bottom before serving.
How to choose a good acar ikan masin
- Fish content: look for a high share of real fish. AcarKing is 80% salted kurau fish.
- Small batches: slow-cooked in small batches tastes closer to home-made.
- No artificial preservatives: a short, simple ingredient list.
About AcarKing
AcarKing is a Malaysian family business making acar ikan masin from Amma's recipe, the same one she has cooked for over 50 years. Every 180g jar is 80% salted kurau fish with no artificial preservatives, delivered across Malaysia with cash on delivery available.
- 1 jar from RM32
- Family Pack: 4 jars for RM105, with FREE delivery in West Malaysia
- Delivery is free from RM100 in West Malaysia and from RM150 in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan
Shop AcarKing acar ikan masin →
Frequently asked questions
Is acar ikan masin spicy? It is mildly spicy. AcarKing is kept moderate so the whole family can enjoy it.
Do I need to cook it? No. It is ready to eat straight from the jar.
Can I buy it online in Malaysia? Yes. AcarKing delivers anywhere in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, with COD available.