Goan Fish Curry (Xitt Kodi)
Goa's everyday coconut fish curry: a vibrant orange gravy of fresh coconut ground with red chilies, coriander and tamarind, simmered with tender fish. Tangy, creamy and gently spicy.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Season the fish
Rub the fish all over with the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the turmeric, then set it aside while you make the sauce.
- 600g fish
- a pinch salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric
✅ Done when: fish is evenly coated with salt and turmeric
Make the spice paste
Soak the dried chilies in hot water for 10 minutes, then blend them with the coconut, coriander, cumin, remaining turmeric, garlic, ginger, tamarind and the water until very smooth.
- 8 dried chilies
- 150g grated coconut
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1½ tbsp
- 250 ml water
✅ Done when: paste is smooth and bright orange
Cook the sauce
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Add the fish
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Season the fish
Rub the fish all over with the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the turmeric, then set it aside while you make the sauce.
- 600g fish
- a pinch salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric
✅ Done when: fish is evenly coated with salt and turmeric
Make the spice paste
Soak the dried chilies in hot water for 10 minutes, then blend them with the coconut, coriander, cumin, remaining turmeric, garlic, ginger, tamarind and the water until very smooth.
- 8 dried chilies
- 150g grated coconut
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1½ tbsp
- 250 ml water
✅ Done when: paste is smooth and bright orange
Cook the sauce
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
Add the fish
This step is part of Foodie Premium. Subscribe to unlock the full method, cooking mode and every recipe in the library.
The Story Behind the Dish
'Xitt kodi' — rice and curry — is the daily meal of Goa, where fish curry and rice is eaten at lunch in nearly every home.
Goan cooking blends Konkani coastal traditions with centuries of Portuguese influence, but this coconut fish curry belongs firmly to the local Konkani kitchen.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Creamy, tangy and sunny-coloured, Goan fish curry is the taste of a beach shack lunch on India's west coast.
💡 Fun Fact
In Konkani, 'xitt' means rice and 'kodi' means curry — so the dish's local name simply means the everyday meal at the heart of Goan life.
Goa
15.49°N, 73.83°E
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