Clean the fish and wash it thrice, gently in clean water. Drain the water completely. Transfer the fish to a mixing bowl or clay pot. Add in the chilli powder, pepper powder, turmeric powder, asafoetida, rice powder/ cornflour, tamarind juice, salt and mix gently but well. Set the marinade aside for 10 - 15 mins.

Heat oil in a deep frying pan on high flame and add the marinated fish one by one. Leave it for a minute and then move it with ladle. To avoid the fish sticking to each other try not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the fishes in batches. Fry well until it is crisp and remove from the oil. To the same oil add the chopped garlic and curry leaves. Saute for few seconds, remove it from the oil & garnish the fried fish. Hot, crunchy & tasty sardine fish fry is ready to be served.