Kenyan Mchuzi wa Samaki, Fish Curry

📍 Where this dish comes from: Ethiopia · Simien Mountains
Discover the history of this region →

Mchuzi wa samaki is Swahili coast cooking at its most essential — firm white fish simmered gently in a tomato and coconut milk sauce built on curry powder and fresh coriander. Centuries of Indian Ocean trade shaped this dish, and it shows in every spoonful: warm curry spice balanced against the sweetness of coconut and the brightness of fresh tomato.

What You’ll Need

Kenyan Mchuzi wa Samaki, Fish Curry

A coastal Kenyan fish curry, tomato and coconut-based, showing the Swahili coast's Indian Ocean trading influence.

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Course: Soup

Cuisine: East African

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 340kcal

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb firm white fish (cod or halibut) cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tomatoes diced
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, cook 4 minutes until softened.
• Add garlic, curry powder, and coriander. Cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• Stir in tomatoes, cook 5 minutes until broken down.
• Pour in coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook 8 minutes to let the sauce come together.
• Add fish chunks, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer gently 8–10 minutes until the fish is just cooked through.
• Season with salt, top with fresh cilantro, and serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 340kcal | Protein: 29g | Fat: 22g | Fiber: 2g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Health Benefits

• White fish delivers lean, complete protein with minimal saturated fat.
• Coconut milk provides MCTs, a fast-burning fat source well suited to a ketogenic diet.
• Curry powder’s turmeric content brings anti-inflammatory curcumin to the dish.