'Ota 'Ika (Tongan Raw Fish Salad with Coconut Cream)
Local name: ʻOta ʻika
In short: Small cubes of very fresh white fish cured in lemon juice, drained, then tossed with crisp vegetables and chilled coconut cream, a Tongan starter. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 240 kcal
'Ota 'ika is Tonga's raw fish salad. Small cubes of very fresh white fish are cured in lemon juice until firm and opaque, drained, and tossed with diced vegetables and a generous pour of chilled coconut cream. The result is cool, clean and gently creamy. It is often served as a starter at gatherings, in a bowl or a halved coconut shell. Keep the fish cold and buy it from a source that sells fish for raw eating.
Instructions
- Toss the fish with the lemon juice and salt in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes, stirring once, until the fish is opaque and firm.
- While the fish cures, prepare the tomato, cucumber, carrot, pepper, onion, spring onions and chili, and keep them chilled.
- Tip the fish into a sieve and press gently to squeeze out the juice. Discard the juice.
- Return the fish to the bowl and fold in the vegetables. Pour in the coconut cream, fold gently and taste for salt.
- Chill for 5 to 10 minutes, then serve cold in small bowls or coconut shells.
Tips
- Cut the fish into small, even cubes so the juice reaches the center. Draining the juice before adding the cream gives a milder, creamier result.
- Serve within 1 hour. The tomato and cucumber release water as they stand and thin out the coconut cream.
Questions and answers
What is 'ota 'ika?
'Ota 'ika is a Tongan dish of raw fish cured in lemon juice and dressed with coconut cream and diced vegetables. It is often served as a starter at feasts.
Is it safe to eat raw fish?
Only if the fish is very fresh, sold for raw eating, kept cold and eaten within a couple of hours. Lemon juice does not make raw fish safe. Pregnant women, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should avoid it.
What can I use instead of snapper?
Any very fresh, firm white fish such as mahi-mahi, grouper or sea bass works well. Tuna is also a good choice.
How long does it take to make 'Ota 'Ika (Tongan Raw Fish Salad with Coconut Cream)?
About 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in 'Ota 'Ika (Tongan Raw Fish Salad with Coconut Cream)?
About 240 kcal per serving, with 28 g of protein, 7 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 240 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 28 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
