The smell of a xacuti comes from the dry pan, before any curry is made: grated coconut toasting until brown, dried red chillies darkening, poppy seeds, cinnamon, star anise and cloves crackling in turn. Ground to a paste, it becomes one of the richest, most complex curries in India.
Xacuti (pronounced “sha-koo-tee”) is a Goan curry made with a paste of roasted coconut, poppy seeds, dried red chillies and many whole spices. Traditionally cooked with chicken or mutton, it is also made with prawns and crab along the coast. You find it at family restaurants, beach shacks and home-style eateries across Goa, usually with rice or bread. In 2026 a plate costs roughly ₹300–900. Seafood xacuti contains no pork; watch out for other Goan classics such as vindaloo and sorpotel, which are traditionally pork.
This guide covers how xacuti is made, other Goan seafood dishes, what to watch for, where to eat, prices and Konkani phrases.
How xacuti is made
- Grated coconut is dry-roasted until deep brown.
- Whole spices (red chillies, coriander, cumin, poppy seeds, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, pepper, fennel) are roasted separately.
- Everything is ground to a thick paste with water.
- Onions are fried, the paste is added and cooked until the oil separates.
- Chicken, mutton or seafood is added and simmered; prawns take only minutes.
- A squeeze of lime or a little tamarind finishes it.
Goan seafood to try
| Dish | What it is |
|---|---|
| Prawn or crab xacuti | Rich, roasted-coconut curry with seafood |
| Goan fish curry rice (xitt kodi) | Everyday coconut-and-kokum fish curry with rice; the Goan staple |
| Rava fried fish | Kingfish or mackerel coated in semolina and fried |
| Recheado fish | Fish stuffed with a hot, tangy red masala and fried |
| Prawn balchão | Spicy, tangy prawn pickle-curry |
| Clams (tisreo) sukhem | Clams with dry coconut masala |
Goan dishes to watch
| Dish | Why |
|---|---|
| Vindaloo | Traditionally made with pork |
| Sorpotel | Pork stew |
| Chouriço | Goan pork sausage |
| Feni | Cashew or coconut liquor |
| Some cakes and desserts | May contain alcohol; ask about bebinca and fruit cakes |
Halal note: seafood xacuti and fish curry contain no pork or alcohol, though some kitchens use pork in other dishes and share pans. Goa has Catholic, Hindu and Muslim communities; for halal chicken or mutton, ask or choose Muslim-run restaurants. Most schools accept all seafood; the classical Hanafi view limits it to fish, so fish curry and fried fish suit Hanafi travellers. See our halal food travel guide.
Where to eat
- Panaji (Panjim) – family restaurants and old-town eateries serving Goan home cooking.
- Margao – South Goa’s market town, with local fish-curry lunch places.
- Beach shacks – seasonal restaurants on the sand, open roughly October to May; many are drink-focused, so pick family-run ones.
- Fish markets – Panaji and Margao markets show the day’s catch.
Lunch is the classic time for fish curry rice. Many shacks close during the monsoon (June–September).
What it costs (2026)
| Order | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Fish curry rice at a local eatery | About ₹150–350 |
| Prawn or crab xacuti | About ₹400–900 |
| Rava fried fish | About ₹300–700 |
| Bebinca (slice) | About ₹100–250 |
Plan with the India food budget calculator.
Useful phrases
| Say | Language | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kitle? | Konkani | How much? |
| Dev borem korum | Konkani | Thank you |
| Kya yeh halal hai? | Hindi | Is this halal? |
| Ismein pork hai? | Hindi / English | Does this have pork? |
Frequently asked questions
What is xacuti?
A Goan curry made with roasted coconut, poppy seeds, dried chillies and whole spices.
Is Goan food halal?
Seafood dishes like xacuti and fish curry contain no pork. Vindaloo, sorpotel and chouriço are traditionally pork, and feni is alcohol.
What is the difference between xacuti and vindaloo?
Xacuti uses roasted coconut and many spices; vindaloo is a sharp vinegar-and-chilli dish traditionally made with pork.
How much is seafood in Goa?
About ₹150–900 per dish in 2026, depending on the seafood and restaurant.
More from India: thalis and Hyderabadi biryani. See all India food guides.
Sources
- Goa Tourism – state tourism site.
- Xacuti and Goan cuisine.
