🇹🇿 Tanzanian / Swahili · Fish & Seafood

🥥 Tanzanian Coconut Fish Curry

Samaki wa Nazi

Samaki wa Nazi — Tanzanian fish in coconut curry sauce. Fresh fish simmered gently in a rich coconut milk and tomato sauce fragrant with Zanzibar spices and coriander. The everyday fish dish of the Tanzanian coast.

★ 4.9 (3891 reviews)
45 minTotal time
15 minPrep
30 minCook
4Servings
320Calories
EasyDifficulty

Samaki wa Nazi is the most widely eaten fish preparation on the Tanzanian coast — simple, fast, and extraordinary when made with the day's freshest catch. The coconut milk sauce brings the entire coastal flavour profile to the fish without masking its natural quality.

Ingredients

Equipment: Large wide pan with lid

  • 800g firm fish fillets — snapper, tilapia, or kingfish
  • 400ml thick coconut milk
  • 2 large onions — finely sliced
  • 4 medium tomatoes — diced
  • 4 garlic cloves — minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1—2 green chillies
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ cup fresh coriander
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

  1. Season fish with salt and turmeric. Set aside 10 minutes.
  2. Cook onions until deeply golden. Add garlic, ginger, chillies.
  3. Add tomatoes, curry powder, paprika. Cook 8 minutes until thick.
  4. Pour in coconut milk. Bring to gentle simmer.
  5. Add fish. Spoon sauce over each piece.
  6. Cover and simmer gently 10—14 minutes until fish flakes easily.
  7. Add lemon juice. Garnish with coriander.

Chef Tips

  • Fresh fish only.
  • Never boil coconut milk hard.
  • Do not move fish until nearly cooked.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Hard boiling.
  • Moving fish too early.
  • Overcooking.

The Science

Fish proteins denature at 60—65°C. The gentle coconut milk simmer maintains temperatures at exactly this threshold — producing perfectly moist, just-flaking fish.

Nutrition (per serving)

320Calories
36gProtein
10gCarbs
16gFat
1gFiber
620mgSodium

Health Benefits

  • Lean fish protein.
  • Omega-3.
  • Coconut milk provides MCTs.

Cultural Note

Samaki wa Nazi is the daily fish dish of the Tanzanian coast — the smell of coconut and spiced fish simmering is the afternoon smell of every coastal kitchen.

Storage & Serving

Storage: Best eaten fresh.

Reheating: Very gently.

Serve with: Wali wa Nazi (TZA002), Ugali (TZA001), Chapati (TZA004)

gluten-freedairy-freenut-freehalal

Related Recipes

TZA061TZA063TZA064
Explore 900+ More Recipes on GieesK