The eyes of milkfish on display in the fishmonger's store stared into the void

Displayed heads of milkfish — Milkfish on display at the Yamuliao Market

The Yamuliao Market houses a number of fishmongers. When I went to the front of one of them, I found only fish heads, detached from the meat, neatly lined up in a row. As long as they were lined up on the storefront, they must be for sale, too. But how would one eat only the head? There didn't seem to be much edible part of the fish, and as I had never encountered a dish made with the head of a milkfish before, I couldn't imagine any specific use for it.

These fish are lice eye fish, or sabahi. As the word “eye” in their name suggests, these fish are characterized by their large eyes. When alive, they may have a charming face. However, after the fish has already been slaughtered, its eyes give off an eerie feeling. The sight of its many heads lined up and its eyes staring into the void was surreal, making me want to look away.

Still, I guess the local people love lice fish as an everyday foodstuff. I am sure that these heads will be cooked to perfection and given a new lease on life by the locals.

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