Coconut Fish (Nauruan Raw Tuna in Coconut Milk)
In short: Cubes of very fresh raw tuna dressed in chilled coconut milk with onion and a little chili, the national dish of Nauru. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 195 kcal
Coconut fish is the national dish of Nauru: raw tuna dressed in coconut milk with a few simple seasonings, and found on many menus on the island. Unlike citrus-cured fish salads, it has no sour marinade, so the tuna stays soft, pink and sweet inside the cool, creamy sauce. Serve it very cold, as a starter or with rice. Buy tuna sold for raw eating and keep everything chilled.
Instructions
- Keep the tuna in the refrigerator until the last minute. Chill a mixing bowl and the serving bowls.
- In the chilled mixing bowl, toss the sliced onion with the salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon of the coconut milk. Leave for 5 minutes to soften.
- Cut the tuna into cubes and add them to the bowl. Pour in the rest of the coconut milk and stir gently.
- Chill for 10 minutes, but no longer than 20 minutes in total. Scatter the spring onions and chili over the top.
- Serve very cold in small bowls or halved coconut shells, with steamed rice and lime wedges on the side.
Tips
- Use full-fat coconut milk from a chilled can, stirred until smooth and thick. A thin dressing will pool at the bottom of the bowl.
- Add the dressing no more than 20 minutes before serving. Longer, and the tuna loses its fresh texture and the sauce thins out.
Questions and answers
Is coconut fish safe to eat?
Only if the tuna is very fresh, sold for raw eating, kept cold and eaten within a couple of hours. Pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid raw fish.
Does coconut fish use lime or lemon juice?
Not as a marinade. The tuna is dressed in coconut milk and eaten fresh, so its texture stays soft and silky. A squeeze of lime at the table is optional.
Can I use another fish?
Any very fresh, firm fish sold for raw eating works. Yellowfin and skipjack tuna are the best fit for flavor and texture.
How long does it take to make Coconut Fish (Nauruan Raw Tuna in Coconut Milk)?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Coconut Fish (Nauruan Raw Tuna in Coconut Milk)?
About 195 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 3 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 195 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
