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Fijian Mud Crab Curry

Name: Fijian Mud Crab Curry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 whole live mud crabs (about 2-3 lb total); 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut cream; 1 onion, finely chopped; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp grated ginger; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 2 tbsp curry powder; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1-2 red chilies, chopped; 10 curry leaves; 2 tbsp oil; Salt to taste

Fijian mud crab curry recipe — sweet, meaty crab simmered in a spicy coconut and tomato curry, the magnificent centerpiece of Fijian feasts and celebrations.

⏱ 15 minPrep time

🔥 30 minCook time

🍽 4Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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The Fijian mud crab, or qari, is one of the islands’ most prized catches, found in the mangroves and estuaries that fringe the coast. Catching them is an art, and cooking them in a rich curry is a tradition that blends the Fijian love of coconut with the spice heritage of Fiji’s Indian community.

What makes it great: the sweet crab meat absorbs the fragrant curry sauce like nothing else, and cracking open the claws at the table is half the fun. It is a special-occasion dish, served with stacks of paper napkins, rice, and plenty of cold drinks.

See where this dish fits among the world’s curries: World of Curries guide.

Fiji recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Clean the crabs: remove the top shell, gills, and face, crack the claws lightly with the back of a knife, and cut each body into quarters.
Heat the oil in a large pot and fry the onion, garlic, ginger, curry leaves, and chilies until fragrant, about 4 minutes.
Add the curry powder and turmeric, then the tomatoes, and cook until the tomatoes soften into a paste.
Pour in the coconut cream, season with salt, and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the crab pieces and simmer for 12-15 minutes, spooning sauce over the crab, until the shells turn bright red and the meat is cooked through.
Serve hot with steamed rice and plenty of napkins.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Have the fishmonger clean and crack the crabs if you prefer a quicker route. Serve with finger bowls — this one is meant to be eaten with your hands.

Recipe details

Prep15 min

Cook30 min

Servings4

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Fijian Mud Crab Curry

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Fijian Mud Crab Curry

Step by stepInstructions

💡 Chef tips & storage

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Recipe details

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

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