Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew (Ginataang Isda with Eggplant and Bok Choy)

August 6, 2025

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Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew brings the comforting richness of coconut milk along with fried galunggong, eggplant, bok choy, and malunggay leaves. Each chew is filled with taste and heat.

By: Vanjo Merano Depart a Remark Revealed: 8/5/25

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Should you love ginataan dishes, this Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew is one recipe you’ll need to prepare dinner repeatedly. The mixture of fried spherical scad simmered in coconut milk with eggplant and bok choy creates a satisfying dish that works superbly for on a regular basis meals. It’s wealthy, savory, and naturally creamy, however nonetheless balanced because of the delicate bitterness of the greens and a contact of vinegar. That is a type of dishes I used to get pleasure from again within the province. And now I nonetheless make it at residence to relive these acquainted flavors.

What’s Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew?

Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew, also referred to as Ginataang Isda, is a conventional Filipino dish the place fish is cooked in coconut milk with greens and spices. On this model, spherical scad (galunggong) is fried to a crisp after which simmered in a flavorful coconut sauce with sautéed aromatics, eggplant, child bok choy, and malunggay leaves. A splash of vinegar provides depth, whereas Maggi Magic Sarap enhances the general taste.

Substances for Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew

Spherical scad (galunggong) – a flavorful, inexpensive fish that holds up nicely when fried and simmered
Coconut milk – creates a creamy, wealthy base for the stew
Child bok choy – provides freshness and lightweight crunch
Chinese language eggplants – naturally candy and softens superbly when cooked
Malunggay leaves – nutrient-dense and earthy, good for including depth
Ginger – cuts by the richness and provides a warming aroma
Onion – builds a savory basis for the coconut broth
Garlic – provides daring, fragrant taste
White vinegar – balances out the richness of the coconut milk
Cooking oil – used for pan-frying the eggplant and fish
Salt – primary seasoning that brings the whole lot collectively
Maggi Magic Sarap – enhances umami and deepens the flavour profile
Fish sauce and floor black pepper – for ultimate seasoning to style

The way to Cook dinner Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew

Season the fish
Rub Maggi Magic Sarap evenly over the galunggong. Let it sit for 10 minutes to marinate and take in taste.
Pan-fry the eggplant
Slice the eggplants and brush every bit with oil. Warmth a pan and prepare dinner either side for about 2 minutes or till evenly browned. Put aside.
Fry the fish till crisp
In a wok or deep pan, warmth the remaining oil. Fry the marinated fish till each side are golden and crispy. Take away and put aside.
Sauté the aromatics
Utilizing about 3 tablespoons of the leftover oil, sauté the ginger, garlic, and onion. Cook dinner till the onion softens and turns translucent.
Create the coconut broth
Pour the coconut milk into the pan. Carry it to a boil, then add the vinegar. Let it simmer uncovered for 3 minutes to mellow out the sharpness.
Simmer the fish and end with greens
Season the broth with fish sauce and black pepper. Add the lengthy inexperienced pepper and return the fried fish to the pan. Cowl and simmer for 3 minutes. Add bok choy, fried eggplant, and malunggay leaves. Cook dinner for two extra minutes till the greens are tender.

Helpful Ideas

Use contemporary galunggong if obtainable. It delivers higher texture and taste when fried.
Keep away from stirring an excessive amount of after including the fish to forestall it from breaking up.
Simmer uncovered when including vinegar to prepare dinner off its uncooked edge earlier than mixing.
Don’t overcook the greens—bok choy and malunggay prepare dinner quick and will nonetheless have a little bit of chew.
Use thick, first-press coconut milk if you need a richer sauce.

Greatest Methods to Take pleasure in

Serve this dish scorching with a beneficiant portion of steamed white rice. The wealthy coconut sauce is ideal for spooning over your rice. This stew additionally pairs properly with a easy aspect of sliced inexperienced mangoes, tomato, and bagoong alamang (Ensaladang Mangga) or a dipping sauce made with calamansi and fish sauce for an added layer of acidity.

What Makes This Creamy Coconut Milk Fish Stew Stand Out

This model of ginataang isda stands out due to its stability. The crisp fried fish contrasts superbly with the creamy sauce, whereas the greens carry freshness and texture. The usage of Maggi Magic Sarap lifts your complete dish with out overpowering the pure flavors of the elements. It’s humble but filled with depth.

What to Have with It

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

Can I exploit a unique sort of fish?

Sure. You possibly can substitute galunggong with tilapia, bangus, and even tanigue. Simply make sure that to regulate cooking time primarily based on the thickness of the fish.

Can I skip frying the fish?

Frying helps the fish maintain its form and provides taste, however in case you’re avoiding fried meals, you possibly can poach the fish immediately within the coconut milk.

What if I don’t have malunggay?

You need to use spinach or pechay leaves in its place. They received’t style the identical however nonetheless work nicely.

Is that this dish spicy?

It’s mildly spiced from the lengthy inexperienced pepper. You possibly can add chili in case you desire a spicier model.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

Simmer the coconut milk longer earlier than including the greens, or use coconut cream as an alternative of standard coconut milk.

Watch The way to Cook dinner Fish Stew in Coconut Milk

That is the form of dish I’m going again to once I need one thing comforting and flavorful. It brings me again to these quiet lunches at residence with heat rice and a easy ginataang isda. The crisp fish, wealthy coconut milk, and contemporary greens at all times hit the spot. When you’ve got some galunggong and coconut milk sitting in your kitchen, that is your signal to prepare dinner one thing particular.

Did you make this? Should you snap a photograph, please make sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we will see your creations!