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Fried Fish with Coconut Rice — traditional dish from Cartagena, Colombia
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥600kcal
💪35gProtein
🌾50gCarbs
🥑25gFat
🌿3gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Allergens

🐟 Fish

Fried Fish with Coconut Rice

How to order / say it
Say it Pescado Frito con Arroz de Coco — [pes-KA-do FREE-toh kon ah-ROHS dee KOH-koh]
Order I'd like the fried fish with coconut rice, please.
Locally Me gustaría el pescado frito con arroz de coco, por favor.
Say locally

Fried fish served with coconut-flavored rice, often accompanied by green bananas.

Why try it?

This dish is a staple on the Caribbean coast and a must-try for understanding Cartagena’s coastal flavor. It embodies the region's use of fresh seafood and coconut, representing the tropical bounty of the area.

How it tastes

The fried fish is typically crispy on the outside, tender and moist inside, with a subtle saltiness. The coconut rice adds creamy sweetness and a fragrant aroma, balanced by the savory fish.

Origin & History — first documented: 1600

The tradition of frying fish in Cartagena dates back to the arrival of African slaves in the 16th century. The coconut rice is believed to have been introduced by Afro-Colombian communities. The combination has become a symbol of coastal cuisine over centuries.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🐟 400 g white fish
  • 🌾 200 g rice
  • 🥛 250 ml coconut milk
  • 🧄 2 cloves garlic
  • 🧂 1 tsp salt
  • 🫒 100 ml oil

Method

  1. 1 Clean and season the fish with salt and minced garlic.
  2. 2 Heat oil in a pan and fry the fish until golden and crispy.
  3. 3 Cook the rice with coconut milk and a pinch of salt until fluffy.
  4. 4 Serve fried fish over the coconut rice.

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All South America recipes — Colombia — Cartagena — Fried Fish with Coconut Rice
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