A Gem Next to Michelin, Full for ¥100+ Per Person!

While exploring Colombo, everyone recommends the Michelin-starred Ministry of Crab—but with prices over ¥800 per person, we turned to its neighbor, Ceylon Curry Club. What a lucky detour: this local and expat favorite serves plump blue crabs from the Indian Ocean, curry sauce rich enough to soak three bowls of rice, and we left stuffed with three people spending just over ¥300 total. If you want authentic crab curry in Colombo without breaking the bank, this spot is a no-brainer🌶️ 🦀 Curry Crab Excellence: Better Than Michelin for "Chinese Taste Buds" First glance at the menu, we were shocked by the blue crabs—fresh-caught from the Indian Ocean, shells glistening green, still (carrying) the sea’s freshness: The "signature curry crab" arrived with meat piled high, claw flesh pulling out whole, tender and springy. The curry is a "gentle blend": coconut milk simmered thick, with a hint of local chili heat and tamarind sweetness—no harsh burn like some places, just "fresh＞spicy." Even spice-averse friends couldn’t stop eating; The best part? Freshly baked bread: crispy outside, soft inside. Tear a piece, dip in curry—sauce-soaked bread outshone the crab itself. We scraped every last drop, and the waiter laughed, "You’re today’s ‘clean plate champions’"; Compared to the Michelin spot: Ministry of Crab’s crab is fancier but saltier, with prices 5x higher. Ceylon wins with "generosity"—flavors hit that "fresh-spicy balance" Chinese palates love, making it totally guilt-free. 🌴 Ambiance: Colonial Charm with Local Vibes, Perfect for Photos Tucked in Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, the restaurant’s red brick walls and wooden shutters feel like a colonial-era gem: Potted plants by the door, sunlight filtering through leaves onto red-and-white checkered tablecloths. Photos of the curry crab look filtered, with sauce glistening—Moments comments flooded in: "Which trendy spot is this?"; Inside, it’s packed with regulars: uncles clinking beers over cricket, expats tearing into crab claws with hands, sari-clad aunties smiling our way. No "tourist awkwardness"—like a "local friend’s dinner party"; Best at dusk: streetlights glow, red bricks warm up. Sit outdoors with friends, breeze in hair, crab in hand—time slows down. 🍛 Other Must-Tries: No Bad Picks, Unbeatable Value Beyond crab, the menu hides more gems: Garlic Butter Prawns: Deveined, coated in melted butter and garlic—aroma so good, you’ll want to swallow your tongue. Prawns bounce in your mouth; pair with rice for seconds; Coconut Rice: Steamed with coconut milk, fragrant and fluffy, never sticky. Delicious on its own, life-changing with curry; Banana Flower Salad: Local specialty, finely chopped banana flower tossed with chili and lime—tangy, crisp, perfect to cut richness after heavy meat. Three of us ordered curry crab + butter prawns + coconut rice + salad for under ¥300, with leftovers to take home. The owner grinned, "Reheat tomorrow—it gets better." Passing Ministry of Crab on the way out, watching the long line, we got why locals love Ceylon: no "Michelin hype," just generous portions, authentic flavor, and prices that make it a "hidden gem for insiders." 📍 No. 2, Dutch Hospital Shopping Precinct, Colombo 00100 Want "great food, great photos, great value" in Colombo? Rush here. You’ll leave rubbing your full belly, planning a return🦐 #ColomboFood #CeylonCurry #SriLankaEats #CrabCurry #TravelFoodie