🇹🇿 Tanzanian / Swahili · Fish & Seafood
🦞 Tanzanian Grilled Lobster
Kamba Kochi wa Kuchoma
Tanzanian Grilled Lobster — Indian Ocean spiny lobster halved and grilled over charcoal with a Zanzibar garlic-butter and tamarind glaze. The pinnacle of Zanzibar seafood — the most prized catch of the Indian Ocean, simply and magnificently prepared.
Zanzibar spiny lobster grilled at the Forodhani night market for a fraction of what it would cost anywhere else in the world. The tamarind-garlic glaze is uniquely Tanzanian — the tartness of tamarind against the richness of lobster is a revelation.
Ingredients
Equipment: Sharp heavy knife, Charcoal grill, Basting brush
- 2 whole spiny lobsters (500—700g each)
Zanzibar Garlic-Tamarind Glaze
- 80g butter
- 4 garlic cloves — minced
- 1 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander
- ½ tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp salt
Method
- Make Zanzibar glaze: melt butter with garlic, tamarind, honey, turmeric, chilli. Simmer 2 minutes. Add lemon and coriander. Divide in two.
- Split lobsters: sharp knife through head, push down to halve. Remove stomach sack.
- Brush cut side with glaze.
- Grill cut-side down over medium coals 5—6 minutes.
- Flip. Brush shell side. Grill 5—6 minutes. Baste every 2 minutes.
- Serve with remaining glaze.
Chef Tips
- Medium coals only.
- Do not overcook — rubbery beyond 70°C internal.
- Cut side down first.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Too high heat.
- Overcooking.
The Science
See KEN274 for lobster cooking science. The tamarind's tartaric acid slightly denatures surface proteins, helping the glaze adhere.
Nutrition (per serving)
Health Benefits
- Very high lean protein.
- Exceptionally rich in selenium.
- Low in fat.
Cultural Note
Grilled lobster at Forodhani Gardens — the fish caught that morning, grilled that evening, eaten at the water's edge with dhows sailing past — is one of the greatest food experiences in Africa.
Storage & Serving
Storage: Must be eaten immediately.
Reheating: Not recommended.
Serve with: Wali wa Nazi (TZA002), Kachumbari, Fresh Lime