How to make flavourful Swahili coconut fish dish samaki wa kupaka at home

A beloved Swahili coastal dish, samaki wa kupaka, or as others know it, coconut fish sauce in sauce, is making a flavourful comeback in Kenyan kitchens.

Known for its rich blend of spices and creamy coconut base, this dish is a staple in households along the Kenyan Coast and is now gaining popularity across the country as home cooking takes centre stage.

Whether you are by the ocean or in an urban apartment in Nairobi, you do not need to travel to Mombasa to enjoy this dish.

With a few pantry staples and a whole fresh fish, preferably tilapia, snapper, or mackerel, you can prepare samaki wa kupaka in under an hour.

According to Chef Halima Said, a coastal cuisine specialist based in Nairobi, the beauty of the dish lies in its simplicity and depth of flavour.

“This is not just food, it’s a tradition. Every home has its own twist, but the base is always the same: grilled or fried fish soaked in a spicy coconut sauce,” she says.

What you need:

• 1 whole fish (cleaned and scaled)

• 1 cup thick coconut milk

• 2 cloves garlic (crushed)

• 1 small piece of ginger (grated)

• 1 onion (finely chopped)

• 1 tomato (blended or grated)

• 1 teaspoon turmeric

• 1 teaspoon curry powder

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• Swahili coastal dish
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• coconut fish sauce in sauce
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• How to make flavourful Swahili coconut fish dish samaki wa kupaka at home
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• Juice of 1 lemon

• Salt to taste

• Cooking oil

Method:

Step 1

Marinate the fish with lemon juice, salt, turmeric, and a little oil. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes before you grill or shallow fry the fish, until golden and cooked through, then set aside.

Step 2

In a separate pan, sauté onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant, then add the tomato and spices, then stir in coconut milk. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens.

Step 3

Gently add the cooked fish to the sauce, spooning the mixture over to coat well. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 4

Serve hot with rice, naan, chapati or ugali.

Whether you are honouring coastal heritage or simply in search of something different for dinner, this easy recipe is a perfect way to bring authentic Kenyan flavour to your table.