About this Dish
Fish simmered in a coconut curry sauce with tomato and spices.
History & Origin
A coastal Swahili dish, mchuzi wa samaki showcases Tanzania's Indian Ocean seafood alongside spices carried along historic Zanzibar trade routes.
IngredientsServes 2
🐟Firm white fish fillets (tilapia or snapper), 700g cut into large chunks
🥥Coconut milk, 400ml (1 can)
🍅Ripe tomatoes, 3 medium, roughly chopped
🧅Onion, 1 large, finely sliced
🧄Garlic cloves, 4, minced
🫚Vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons
🌿Fresh coriander, a small handful, chopped
🌶️Green chilli, 1, finely sliced
🫙Curry powder, 1.5 teaspoons
🍋Lime juice, from 1 lime, plus wedges to serve
Method
1
Season the fish chunks generously with salt and a squeeze of lime juice, then set aside for 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce. This quick marinade helps keep the fish flavourful and firm during cooking.2
Heat the oil in a wide, deep pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for about 8 minutes, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden.3
Add the garlic, green chilli, and curry powder to the pan and stir for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Tip in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 5-7 minutes, crushing them down with your spoon until they break into a thick, saucy paste.4
Pour in the coconut milk and stir everything together well. Let the sauce come to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes so the flavours come together, then taste and adjust salt as needed.5
Carefully lay the fish pieces into the simmering sauce in a single layer. Cover the pan and cook gently for 10-12 minutes, without stirring too much, until the fish is just cooked through and flakes easily.6
Scatter fresh coriander over the top and serve immediately with steamed white rice or chapati, with extra lime wedges on the side for squeezing over.User Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first!
Sign in to leave a review
Members can create lists, save favourites and get recommendations.
Find the Best Mchuzi wa Samaki Near Me
AI-powered — Google, TripAdvisor and food blogs
🌍 Food Vlogs
Food vloggers eating and cooking it at the source
🌍
No videos yet
What To Eat
The World's Food Guide
© 2025 What To Eat · hello@whattoeat.world