Mchuzi wa Samaki (Tanzanian Fish Curry)

Name: Mchuzi wa Samaki (Tanzanian Fish Curry)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Tanzania
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb firm white fish fillets; 1 onion, chopped; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated ginger; 1 tbsp curry powder; 1 1/2 cups coconut milk; 1 tbsp tamarind paste; 2 tbsp oil; Salt to taste

4 servings15 min prep25 min cookEasy Tanzania

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The Story Behind It

The Tale of Mchuzi wa Samaki (Tanzanian Fish Curry)

Story updated September 17, 2026

Mchuzi wa samaki, a coconut-based fish curry, developed on Zanzibar, long a crossroads of Indian Ocean trade that brought Indian and Arab spicing—curry powder, garam masala, turmeric—into contact with East African coconut and fresh seafood. It reflects centuries of trade with India, especially strong from the 19th century onward, and remains a signature Zanzibari dish.

Ingredients

Scale:· 4 servings

1 1/2 lb firm white fish fillets
1 onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp curry powder
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1 tbsp tamarind paste
2 tbsp oil
Salt to taste

Instructions

1Season the fish fillets lightly with salt and set aside.
2Heat oil in a pan and sauté onion until soft, about 5 minutes.
3Add garlic and ginger and cook 2 minutes, then stir in curry powder.
4Add tomatoes and cook until they break down into a sauce.
5Pour in coconut milk and tamarind paste and bring to a gentle simmer.
6Add the fish fillets and simmer 10-12 minutes until just cooked through.
7Season with salt and serve hot with ugali or rice.

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