Taki Fish: Bengali Comfort Food

Taki Fish

As fall begins and the weather cools, I find myself missing not only the warmth of summer but also the warmth of home. Nothing brings me that comfort like food from home. My love for food is endless, but instead of fancy dishes like korma pulao, my go-to comfort foods are simple. Whenever I miss home, I make daal, bhaat, and bhorta. One of my favorite dishes is my mother’s taki macher bhorta (mashed snakehead fish), which is incredibly delicious and holds a special place in my heart. So of course the star of the dish, the Taki fish, is also quite dear to me. 

Taki fish or commonly known as the spotted snakehead, is a freshwater fish species found in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh.  Spotted snakeheads can breathe in air for quite a long time. Which makes them quite lucrative to the fisherman and fish farmers. As a result the fish is also quite cheap and available compared to many other fishes of Bangladesh. So it is a good source of nutrition for many Bangladeshis who can not afford to buy the more expensive fish. 

How to Identify Taki Fish

The spotted snakehead catfish, also known as the taki fish (Channa punctata), is one species in the Channidae family. The carnivorous spotted snakehead fish feeds on insects, crabs, and smaller fish. It can reach a maximum length of 50 cm and features a large head and mouth on a cylindrical body. The dark patches on the fish’s body, which differ in size and quantity depending on the individual, are the source of its name.

Nutritional Value of Taki Fish 

Here is the nutritional value of Taki fish (Spotted Snakehead) per 100 grams:

• Calories: 88 kcal
• Protein: 17.6 grams
• Fat: 1.4 grams
• Carbohydrates: 0 grams
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Present (amount varies)
• Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin B12
• Minerals: Contains potassium and phosphorus

Benefits of Eating Taki Fish 

There are many benefits to eating taki fish. It is quite the nutritional powerhouse and is really good for health. So if you end up adding this fish to your regular diet you will benefit in many ways. 

1. Anti-inflammatory Properties: Taki fish naturally contain anti-inflammatory compounds, which help fight pain and inflammation. These properties could also help prevent long-term complications of chronic inflammation, such as cancer. An anti-inflammatory diet, including snakehead fish, may reduce blood pressure, boost cognitive function, and improve mental health.
2. Rich in Omega-6 Fatty Acids: The high omega-6 fatty acid content in snakehead fish provides analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. Omega-6 fatty acids are essential for brain function and play a role in normal growth and development. These polyunsaturated fatty acids also stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and support the reproductive system.
3. Fish Oil Benefits: The fish oil in snakehead fish offers protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and some cancers, contributing to overall heart health and disease prevention.
4. Revitalizing Qualities: Taki fish meat is known to be revitalizing, especially during recovery from severe illness. This belief has made it a valued food for convalescence. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, snakehead fish is used to treat various ailments and is said to offer multiple health benefits.
5. Protein Packed: The fish has a high percentage of protein which is good for muscle and tissue growth. So if you want to add more protein to your diet this fish is a good option for you. 

Recipes with Taki Fish You can Try at Home

Here are some simple yet very tasty recipes you can make by yourself with taki fish 

Taki Fish Curry with Vegetables 

This is such a wholesome and easy to prepare recipe with taki fish. You can use any type of  snakehead fish for this recipe such as shol or taki.

1. Begin by heating mustard oil and fry onions until golden brown.
2. Next add garlic, ginger paste, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and water, and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Now add seasonal vegetables like potatoes, long beans, and eggplant. Stir in the vegetables and cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add fish, green chillies, and boiled water.
5. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
6. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (optional) before serving.  It’s a comforting, nutritious meal best enjoyed with rice and can be customized with different vegetables and fish.

Click here to check out the recipe in details 

Taki Macher Bhorta

1. To make Taki Macher Bhorta (Mashed Fish), clean and marinate 5-6 Taki (Spotted Snakehead) fish with salt and turmeric.
2. Fry chopped onions and garlic in mustard oil until golden, then remove from the pan.
3. Fry the fish in the same oil with the lid on until cooked, then cool, debone, and mash the fish with the fried onions, garlic, green chilies, and coriander leaves.
4. Serve the mashed fish with hot rice for a flavorful and comforting Bengali dish.

Taki Macher Jhuri Bhaja

This is my second most favorite recipe with Taki mach. It’s a minimum ingredients with maximum satisfaction kind of recipe.

1. To make taki macher jhuri bhaja you will have to marinate the fish with turmeric powder and salt and then shallow fry it in any neutral oil.
2. Now remove the bones from the fish and set aside.
3. In the same pan add chopped onions, garlic  and green chillies and saute for about 5 minutes.
4. Now add the deboned fish and keep frying until everything is crispy and golden brown.
5. You can add some chopped coriander or lemon leaves before turning off the heat to add some extra flavor to the dish. 

Taki Fish Curry with Baby Potatoes

Another very simple but wholesome recipe is this bengali-style taki fish curry with baby potatoes. It is so easy to make and so comforting on a chilly day with a side of steaming hot rice.

1. To make this first boil and peel the baby potatoes.Meanwhile  marinate small-sized pieces of taki fish with oil, salt, red chili powder, and turmeric.
2. Shallow fry the fish and set aside. In the same pan, splutter cumin seeds, add dry spices (cumin powder, red chili powder, turmeric), and green chilies, then fry with a little water.
3. After the oil comes up from the spices add the boiled potatoes, fry well, and then add the fried fish along with warm water.
4. Cover and cook on low flame for 15 minutes.
5. Before serving, sprinkle some garam masala on top.

Is taki fish one of your favorites too? Have you had taki fish before? What is your favorite taki fish recipe? Or is this the first time you are hearing about the fish? Which of the recipes mentioned in this blogpost are you willing to try out? Let me know through your comments. Happy reading!