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Ika Mata (Fish in Coconut Lime)

Name: Ika Mata (Fish in Coconut Lime)
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves 2
Cuisine: Tuvalu
Ingredients: 250g White fish; 3 limes Lime juice; 100ml Coconut milk; 1/2 Cucumber; 1 Tomato; 1/4 Onion

Side Dish

⏱ 20 min

👥 Serves 2

Difficulty ⭐⭐

Fresh white fish "cooked" in lime juice, then tossed in coconut milk — a dish found across the Pacific islands.

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📖 The Story Behind This Dish

Ika mata — curing fresh fish in lime juice before tossing it in coconut milk — is a preparation method common across the islands of the South Pacific, passed down from an era before refrigeration. Chopped vegetables add color and a satisfying crunch.

🌆 Where it's eaten: Popular for hot-day lunches and entertaining guests, enjoyed as a light dish alongside rice.

🥕 Ingredients (serves 2)

White fish 250g
Lime juice 3 limes
Coconut milk 100ml
Cucumber 1/2
Tomato 1
Onion 1/4

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Slice the fish thinly and marinate in lime juice for about 15 minutes to cure until white.
Dice the cucumber, tomato, and onion into small pieces.
Drain the fish lightly and toss with the coconut milk.
Add the chopped vegetables and mix everything together.
Season with salt and serve well chilled.

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