At the table
Crack the shells and pick out the crab meat; eat it with the coconut curry sauce and rice. Ask for shell crackers if needed, and check the portion size before sharing.
Contains crab. The coating may contain wheat, and curry blends vary. Watch for sharp shell fragments; chili heat and the sauce ingredients depend on preparation.
This version fries flour-coated crab pieces, then cooks them with curry powder, coconut milk, ginger, scallion, shallot, garlic, onion, chili, salt and pepper. Starch can replace flour, and chicken stock can replace water. Heat varies with the chili and curry blend.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Spiced coconut sauce.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- Creamy sauce.
- How it’s made
- Cook crab with curry.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Macau.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有咖哩炒蟹吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
Crab, coconut and curry
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Macanese crab curry brings Indian-influenced spicing together with coconut milk and a whole mud crab. It is a dish to share: crack the shell, pick out the meat and enjoy the sauce with rice. Recipes vary, so the curry blend and chili level need not be the same at every restaurant.