Are most fish dishes in restaurants served off the bone?

It depends on the type of restaurant you eat at. In Western restaurants, fish is normally served as a fillet. However, Chinese restaurants serve fish whole with bones, head and trimmed fins. read more

In Western restaurants, fish is normally served as a fillet. However, Chinese restaurants serve fish whole with bones, head and trimmed fins. In fact, in Malaysia where I am from, a popular dish is fish-head curry served in Indian and Indian-Muslim restaurants. read more

How Fish is Cooked and Served The bones are seldom removed, so eat slowly. Taking bones from the mouth with the fingers and placing them on a side plate is usually considered the polite way to eat, rather than spitting them out. Fish are usually cooked whole, and most Chinese have no problem with eating the fish's head. read more

There's definitely some fish that we eat whole but it's atypical of most fish served in restaurants. Canned sardines in tomato sauce is one example from my childhood. I've never eaten salmon head though. Or cod, tilapia, or whatever else I pick up from the fish market nowadays for personal consumption. read more