Ministry of Crab: One woman, a lotta crab

One of the reasons I love islands so much, is their amazingly fresh seafood options. When visiting Sri Lanka a few months ago, I absolutely had to try their famous Sri Lankan lagoon crab. If you haven’t heard of Sri Lankan lagoon crab, maybe you have – but in disguise. Did you know that Sri Lanka exports their lagoon crabs to Singapore? Where do you think the famous Singapore Chili Crab comes from? So if you loved Singapore Chilli Crab, why not taste fresh Sri Lankan lagoon crabs! And where best to taste Sri Lankan lagoon crabs than the country’s own Ministry of Crab?

1. History of the Ministry of Crab

Ok, the Ministry of Crab isn’t a real government ministry. But the name itself suggests its powerhouse status as the leading institution for crabs in Sri Lanka. So you can see why I consider it a must eat in Colombo!

That was the premise behind the name by renowned Sri Lankan chef, Dharshan Munidasa. But not only is it the place for crab, the Ministry consistently wins accolades as Sri Lanka’s best restaurant between 2016 – 2021. Ranked by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Ministry of Crab sits at a respectable #29 in their Asia’s 50 Best sublist.

Since opening in Colombo in 2011, foodies can delight at Ministry of Crab locations in Shanghai, Manila, Maldives, Bangkok, and Mumbai. If you’re in Sri Lanka, I’d definitely recommend a visit to its original location – tucked away (and a little difficult to find) in the city’s old Dutch Hospital. Built in 1677 by the Dutch as a hospital (obviously), it now houses a plethora or restaurants and shops.

We are privileged to be serving you inside a building that was constructed over 400 years ago by the Dutch. We designed this restaurant to exemplify the beauty and history of this building, using special methods in order to preserve the floor and walls. Your chair may wobble a bit, but we hope you will enjoy such charms!

Ministry of Crab, Constitution: Article X

Ministry of Crab also has a certain Japanese flare to its menu and ambience, as Dharshan Munidasa, is half-Sri Lankan and half-Japanese. He also owns Nihonbashi, a high end Japanese restaurant in Colombo.

We treat all our ingredients with the utmost respect using techniques, which stem from Japanese culinary philosophies and practices. These same principles are employed at the finest Japanese restaurants around the world.

Ministry of Crab, Constitution: Article IV

2. Choose your crab at the Ministry of Crab

Obviously you’re not going to go to the Ministry of Crab and not eat crab. Luckily, they have a picture guide for each crab’s size, weight, and price. How I wish I weren’t eating solo that night! An OMG!!! or a Crabzilla would have been so much fun! But alas, a Medium 800 gram crab (at 9,200 LKR | $50 USD) for me.

Prices range from 6100 LKR ($33 USD) for the half kilo crab, all the way up to 39,400 LKR ($213 USD) for Crabzilla.

For those who want prawns instead, there is a similar scale which ranges from:

• 6 Black Tiger prawns at 2100 LKR ($11.35 USD),
• 1 Big Prawn (150 – 200 grams), at 2,500 LKR ($13.50 USD),
• all the way up to the Prawnzilla (500+ grams), 6100 LKR ($33 USD).

3. Select your sauce at Ministry of Crab

For both crabs and prawns,, there are different sauces for you to select from. I’ll assume you selected crab, so here are your sauce choices:

• Pepper crab – made of Black Pepper – the king of spice in Sri Lanka;
• Chili crab – made from a variety of chilies endemic to Sri Lanka;
• Garlic chili crab – (for obvious reasons) this was my choice! Described on the menu as:

This is a Ministry of Crab original where Mediterranean and Japanese food philosophies meet Sri Lankan crab. It is a blend of the distinct flavours of Italian olive oil, garlic, Sri Lankan chilli flakes, and Japanese soy sauce.

Ministry of Crab online menu

• Butter crab – the menu says that this dish is the best way to appreciate the full taste of the crabs. Best served chilled (6 hours notice required) or also eaten warm (with no notice);
• Curry crab – made with traditional Sri Lankan curry.

Me, anxiously waiting for my crab. Taking photos of every crab related item on my table. Trying to Keep Calm and Crab On, which is what my bib suggests.

Mild Tangent

I am American. In certain situations in American cuisine, you are given a bib to protect your clothes from a variety of food-related mishaps. Particularly, I can reasonably expect to receive bibs in barbecue or certain seafood restaurants. I’ve only recently discovered from my British friends that this “culture” of wearing a bib, given by a restaurant, is not only extremely foreign, but quite horrifying to them. Therefore, would you be so kind as to respond to the following poll?

Please assist me and submit a vote on “the bib” for anthropological and sociological research purposes. Thank you!

4. Sides to complement your crab

Obviously no one expects you to eat only crab for your meal. Although, considering it was just me, I probably should have. But, I wanted some veggies and spied KanKun Garlic on the menu (600 LKR | $3.24 USD). KanKun (or morning glory, or for Chinese people, kong xin cai) is one of my favorite veggies in Asian cuisine. Prepared with garlic is the simple, traditional Asian way to do it.

If you get the garlic chili crab like I did, its recommended to order their “Kade bread” to sop up all the sauce with. This is similar practice to Singapore’s chili crab, which usually comes with some mantou on the side. Unfortunately, the regular order of Kade bread is made for sharing and comes with 18 cubes of wood-fired bread. 18! 18 squares of bread cost only 400 LKR ($2.16). If you’re more than one person, it’s definitely worth it for the table!

I gave sad eyes and pleaded with my waiter to get a smaller order. He did give me a few complimentary pieces, which were greatly appreciated! By the time it arrived, I was already hands deep into my garlic chili crab, so no pictures.

Without further ado…

5. The Garlic Chili Crab – a must eat in Colombo!

Behold! The Garlic Chili Crab. 800 grams all for me.

Really delicious!! But way spicier than I expected! I felt it was more flavorful than Singaporean Chili Crab I had eaten in the past. The Ministry does its country proud! The Sri Lankan Lagoon Crab, made and flavored in Sri Lanka was delicious!

Eating crab is a marathon event, so with 800 grams of crab in front of me, it took me awhile to get through all the nooks and crannies. Halfway through, the server remembered that he promised a few pieces of Kade bread. It was so perfect to balance out the heaviness of the sauce with some light, airy bread.

6. Dessert at the Ministry of Crab

Another obvious thing, is for me to get a dessert, despite being absolutely stuffed. There are only two items on the dessert menu:

• Chocolate biscuit pudding, made from dark Belgian chocolate (900 LKR |$4.86 USD);
• and coconut creme brulee (800 LKR | $4.32 USD).

Neither are traditional Sri Lankan desserts in any way, but the coconut creme brulee at least had a twist on the regular dessert. This creme brulee is made from delicious coconut milk, and baked directly in a coconut shell.

For those who like the flavor of coconut, like I do, it was a sweet, creamy perfection!

Parting Thoughts

Although food in Sri Lanka is generally more on the affordable side, the Ministry of Crab is a pricey meal. My meal cost about $62 USD. But then again, I was determined to order some veggies and a dessert too. As I had eluded to previously, I think it would be much funner to be in a group to order a few other dishes along with the crab. I would’ve loved to try other things on their menu (i.e. prawn bisque, avocado crab salad, crab pate, among others…). So, someone find a group, and assist me in doing the necessary. And report back!

Until then, stay safe, eat lots of good food, and be happy!

Need other help with your Colombo trip planning?

• Arrive to Colombo city from the airport with a worry free airport-transfer.
• Looking for a nice place to stay in Colombo? Try searching through Mr. & Mrs. Smith – the travel club for hotel lovers!
• For other foodie adventures in Sri Lanka, how about
  • Introducing yourself to Sri Lankan Street Food with a tuk tuk tour;
  • Or stretch your legs on a walking tour of Sri Lankan Street Food;
  • Learn all about Sri Lankan cuisine and how to make your own dishes in a Sri Lankan Cooking Class!

Please note that some products or referrals in this post are affiliate links (in green) and if you go through them to make a purchase or booking, I will earn a commission. I share these product and booking links because they are related to the post and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours whether to click through and make a purchase through these links.

Restaurant Information for the Best Restaurant in Sri Lanka

Ministry of Crab | map
Old Dutch Hospital Complex,
04 Hospital St,
Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka
Phone: +94 77 002 4823
Reservations Required: email [email protected]

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Lannie

Lannie is a perpetual wanderer and loves to share her travel adventures and the food she eats along the way with everyone.  She works during the day while bouncing around the world and dreams about new places and faces at night!  She has a home on the magical Isle of Islay in Scotland, where the whisky flows freely and happily.

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