Thushara Innasithamby, who runs My Sister’s Kitchen (MSK), said in a recent interview that crab curry tops Jaffna cuisine. Many hoteliers in Colombo and the deep south have confirmed that crab curry with rose pann is becoming a must-have dish.
What is so special about crab curry?
As Thushara Thushara Innasithamby explains, “It’s a classic Jaffna dish that showcases the bold, rich flavours of our cuisine. Pair it with our idiyappam (string hoppers) or rice, and you’ll understand why it’s a favourite!”
Indunil Samaraathna, a master chef in a leading London restaurant, said that crab curry stands out as the signature dish in any Sri Lankan restaurant around the globe. Fresh crab, coconut milk, a medley of spices (like cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chilli), ginger, garlic, onions, and sometimes tomatoes is the standard mix.
The Sri Lankan crab curry is typically spicy and aromatic, with a balance of sweet coconut milk and tangy spices. “Cooking a curry that is typically spicy and aromatic, with a balance of sweet coconut milk and tangy spices is the chef’s game,” said Samaraathna, while cracking crab shells he had just collected from Billingsgate Fish Market. “We are fortunate that we get fresh crabs directly from Sri Lanka,” he added.
The Sri Lankan crab curry is not without competition. Kerala crab curry, which includes fresh coconut and curry leaves, and Thai curry, which includes lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, are also popular.
There are different crab curries all around the world. Here are some African dishes:
Ghanaian Crab Stew: This hearty stew features tender crab meat simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce with onions, garlic, ginger, and aromatic spices like coriander, cumin, and smoked paprika.
Mozambican Crab Curry: Coconut milk forms the base of this curry, lending its sweetness and creaminess to the dish. The crab meat is cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, and spices like turmeric, cumin, and coriander.
Senegalese Crab Mafé: This is a popular West African peanut stew with crab meat simmered in a rich peanut sauce made with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices.
Crab curry is more than a dish—it’s a sensory journey through the oceans and spice-laden kitchens, where each bite tells a tale of tradition and flavour.
