(Rohu Carp Fish Curry with Flat Beans and Potatoes)
Rui (Rohu Carp) fish is beloved throughout Bangladesh as a favorite, both fried and curried. In this classic rendition of the fish, golden-fried rui fish is combined with flat beans and potatoes to bring you flavors both rich and comforting.
The savory gravy, made with onions, ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, gives you the authentic flavors of Bangladeshi cuisine. For anyone who wants to grow their skillset in Bangladeshi cooking, this is a classic dish that serves as the perfect place to start.
Audience members from Arifa’s cooking LIVE on TikTok had the pleasure of seeing this recipe come together in her kitchen. Now, you can bring the fun into your own kitchen. Preparing the fish and vegetables separately before adding them to the gravy gives each part of the dish its own time in the pan.
Golden-fried rui fish, tender flat beans, and potatoes in a richly spiced gravy—Arifa’s Rui Maas with Seem & Aloo, best enjoyed with warm rice and good company.
Ingredients
10 pieces rui fish (rohu carp), cleaned and ready to cook
1½ cups seem (flat beans), trimmed and strings removed, left whole
3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, quartered
2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste
1½ teaspoons turmeric powder, for marinating the fish
¼ teaspoon salt, for marinating the fish, plus a pinch for the gravy
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Vegetable Oil, for frying and cooking
Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Roasted cumin powder for garnish
Instructions
1. Marinate the fish
Coat the prepared fish with 1½ teaspoons turmeric powder and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and refrigerate for 2–3 hours minimum. Overnight marination is preferred.
2. Prepare the vegetables
Trim the flat beans and remove any tough strings, leaving the pods whole. Peel and slice the potatoes, thinly slice the onions, and cut each tomato into quarters.
3. Fry the fish
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a frying pan. Fry the fish until golden on both sides, working in batches if needed. Carefully remove and set aside.
4. Sauté the flat beans and potatoes
Add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to the same frying pan. Add the flat beans and sliced potatoes and sauté. Set aside; they will finish cooking in the gravy.
5. Fry the onions
Heat vegetable oil in a large, deep pan. Add the thinly sliced onions and fry until golden brown.
6. Add the ginger-garlic paste
Stir in 2 teaspoons ginger-garlic paste, a pinch of salt, and ¼ cup water.
7. Cook the spices
To the same pan, add 1 teaspoon each of chili powder, coriander powder, and ground cumin. Pour in another ¼ cup water and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
8. Bring the curry together
Gently add the fried fish, flat beans, and potatoes to the gravy. Pour in 2 cups water, distributing the vegetables around the fish without breaking the pieces.
9. Add the tomatoes and simmer
Add the quartered tomatoes and cover the pan. Simmer gently for 7–10 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the potatoes and flat beans are tender.
10. Garnish and serve
Garnish with fresh cilantro and roasted, powdered cumin. Serve warm with rice. Take care when serving and eating, as the fish contains bones.
Cooking Along with Arifa?
There’s something special about watching a dish come together in someone else’s kitchen—and then making it your own. Leave a comment below if you plan to try out this rui maas with seem & aloo dish! Take a picture of your creation and tag Arifa’s Taste on Instagram or TikTok. We’d love to see how it turned out and hear who you shared it with.
Want a taste straight from Arifa’s kitchen? Arifa is a Bangladeshi caterer serving Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. Whether you’re looking for weekly meals to make busy days easier or food to bring people together for an event, explore her menu and reach out to inquire about an order. She’d love to help you feed your table.
Follow Arifa’s Taste on social media to see what’s cooking next and get to know the immigrant mother behind the meals, building community through her love of food and Bangladeshi culture. And if there’s a dish you’d love to learn, tell us! Your request could become the next addition to Arifa’s Virtual Cookbook.
