Local food map Atauro Island (Timor-Leste)
Atauro Island guides
Recipes 4
Pick a recipe
All Atauro Island recipes
🐟
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥480kcal
💪38gProtein
🌾15gCarbs
🥑28gFat
🌿3gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish

Tukir Bakar

How to order / say it
Say it Tukir Bakar — [Too-keer Bah-kar]
Order I'd like to order Tukir Bakar.
Locally Ha'u hakarak hodi Tukir Bakar.
Say locally

A traditional dish of grilled catfish marinated in local spices.

Why try it?

Tukir Bakar represents the island's deep connection to the sea, highlighting the locals' dependence on fishing for sustenance and cultural practices.

How it tastes

The dish has a smoky aroma with a spicy and slightly sweet flavor from the marinade, complemented by the tender and flaky texture of the catfish.

Origin & History — first documented: 1890

Originating on Atauro Island in the late 19th century, Tukir Bakar has been a staple in local cuisine due to the abundance of catfish and the availability of unique island spices.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 600 g catfish
  • 🍋 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 🧂 2 pcs red chili
  • 🧄 4 cloves garlic
  • 🧄 3 pcs shallots
  • 🍯 2 tbsp palm sugar

Method

  1. 1 Clean the catfish and make slits on both sides.
  2. 2 Prepare a marinade with lime juice, chili, garlic, shallots, and palm sugar.
  3. 3 Marinate the fish for at least 30 minutes.
  4. 4 Grill the fish on medium heat until cooked through.
  5. 5 Serve hot with a side of rice.
All Asia recipes — Timor-Leste — Atauro Island — Tukir Bakar
keyboard_arrow_up