Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Mchuzi wa Samaki

Name: Mchuzi wa Samaki
Prep time: 27 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 107 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 white fish fillets, such as tilapia or cod — skinless, bones removed; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground coriander; Salt, to taste; Juice of 1 lemon; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 large tomatoes, chopped; 1 cup coconut milk; 1 tbsp tamarind paste; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1 cup fish stock or water; 2 fresh green chili peppers, slit; 1 tsp turmeric powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped; Salt and black pepper, to taste

Experience the exquisite flavors of Tanzania with this tangy and creamy fish stew featuring coconut milk and tamarind.

4.3(804 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 11, 2025

Mchuzi wa Samaki — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

27 min

Cook

1 h 20 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Fish Marinade

For the Stew Base

For Seasoning

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 326 kcal
Protein: 23.1 g
Carbs: 13.1 g
Fat: 20.4 g
Fiber: 2.1 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1305 kcal
Protein: 92.3 g
Carbs: 52.2 g
Fat: 81.6 g
Fiber: 8.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 white fish fillets such as tilapia or cod — skinless, bones removed	400	80	0	4	0
2 cloves garlic minced	8	0.4	1.8	0	0.1
1 tsp ground cumin	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.5
1 tsp ground coriander	5	0.2	0.9	0.3	0.4
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Juice of 1 lemon	12	0.2	3.5	0.1	0
2 tbsp vegetable oil	240	0	0	27	0
1 large onion finely chopped	60	1.8	14	0.2	2.5
1 tbsp fresh ginger grated	5	0.1	1	0.1	0.2
2 cloves garlic minced	8	0.4	1.8	0	0.1
2 large tomatoes chopped	44	2	10	0.5	2
1 cup coconut milk	445	4	6	48	2
1 tbsp tamarind paste	20	0	5	0	0.5
1 tbsp tomato paste	15	0.8	3.5	0.1	0.7
1 cup fish stock or water	10	1	0	0	0
2 fresh green chili peppers slit	10	0.6	2	0.1	0.5
1 tsp turmeric powder	8	0.2	1.5	0.3	0.5
1 tsp smoked paprika	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.7
2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped	1	0.1	0.1	0	0.1
Salt and black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Fish

1
Combine ingredients
In a bowl, combine minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and lemon juice.
2
Marinate fish
Coat the fish fillets with this mixture and let them marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3
Bring to room temperature
Remove from the fridge and let it reach room temperature before cooking.

Preparing the Stew Base

1
Sauté aromatics
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, ginger, and minced garlic. Sauté until onions turn translucent.
2
Cook tomatoes
Add tomatoes and cook until they start to soften and release juices.
Tip: Use fresh tomatoes for a more authentic flavor rather than canned ones.

How to Make Mchuzi wa Samaki

Total time: 1 h 47 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmer the stew
Add coconut milk, tamarind paste, tomato paste, and fish stock to the pot. Stir well.
2
Spice it up
Add turmeric powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
3
Cook the fish
Gently add marinated fish fillets and slit green chilies to the pot. Cover and cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.