Muthu's Curry

Muthu's Curry is a restaurant established by Muthu Ayyakannu in 1969 on Klang Road. Famous for its South Indian-style fish head curry, this restaurant was featured several times in the Michelin Guide. Apart from food innovation, the restaurant operates on the principles of avoiding food colourants and reducing plastic usage.

Muthu began selling fish head curry when his Muthu Makan Shop was still just a small coffee shop. Back then, both Chinese and Nonya communities were also selling fish head curry. However, Muthu distinguished himself by creating his unique rendition inspired by the Chettinad cuisine from Tamil Nadu. This marked a significant turning point for the business. Later, in 1974, the restaurant relocated to 78 Race Course Road and was further expanded in 1982; its name was subsequently changed to Muthu's Curry.

Following the founder's passing in 1996, his son, Kasi Viswanathan, assumed control of the restaurant. Concurrently, in the same year, the construction of an MRT station led to the temporary closure of parts of Race Course Road, prompting the restaurant's relocation to 138 Race Course Road. On 2 June 2004, it reopened as a state-of-the-art restaurant, with 300 seats and spanning over 6,000 square feet at a cost of $7 million. Alcoholic beverages and North Indian cuisine were introduced to the menu in 2004.

In 1993, Muthu's Curry was honoured as one of the top five restaurants in the Singapore Food and Entertainment Guide. Additionally, at the Singapore Food Festival in 1994 and 1995, Muthu's fish head curry stood out as one of the most popular local dishes. The restaurant's acclaim extends to various lists, including the Makansutra Heritage Foods Oscars (2003) and the Michelin Guide (2018 – 2023), underscoring its widespread recognition. Chellappan Sankaranathan, brother of Ayyakannu, started the restaurant Banana Leaf Apollo in 1974, which is also famous for its fish head curry.



For more information
“The Evolution of Muthu’s Curry,” Muthu’s Singapore. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.muthuscurry.com/page/brand-story
“Muthu’s Curry,” Michelin Guide. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/singapore-region/singapore/restaurant/muthu-s-curry-little-india
“Awards,” Muthu’s Singapore. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.muthuscurry.com/page/awards
Nor-Afidah Abd Rahman and Marsita Omar. “Muthu’s Curry,” Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Accessed on 1 August 2025. https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/article-detail?cmsuuid=fc621f68-3e06-4b71-81f0-8d390fd26507

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The information in this article is valid as of August 2025 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. If you have any feedback on this article, please submit here.