The Fat Crab | Restaurant Review

A New Crab Haven in Colombo

The Fat Crab is now in Colombo to feed every seafood lover’s cravings. Centrally located, the restaurant offers four floors for diners to have the ultimate seafood feast till 1 am. With older branches located in Negombo and Mount Lavinia, they serve both local and international seafood dishes, with a speciality in a good old-fashioned Sri Lankan crab. 

Signature dishes include the famous Murunga Leaf Crab Curry and Black Pepper Crab, along with a variety of other seafood favourites such as prawns, calamari, and fresh fish. Customers also have a range of very Sri Lankan sides like crusty kade paan with dhal, butter, and coconut sambol; steamed rice with dhal and coconut sambol; fried rice with stir-fried kankun; and simple bread and butter to choose from. 

Appetisers

Chilli Dusted Sesame Prawn Toast 

Good prawn toast is one of the hallmarks of any Asian seafood restaurant, and The Fat Crab’s version does not disappoint, with its salty, crispy, and meaty treat. The Prawn Toast comes in portions of six wedges, which will disappear quickly. The sesame seed coating adds another layer of texture to the crunchiness of the toast, and the helping of prawn meat is also quite generous. It was certainly a must-have. 

Mains

Lobster Thermidor 

The Lobster Thermidor may look intimidating when it first arrives. Presented in a lobster shell, it is similar to baked crab in appearance but is deceptively easy to eat and absolutely delicious. This classic French dish consists of diced lobster meat stuffed into a lobster shell, topped with a buttery wine sauce, sprinkled with cheese, and browned in the oven. As indulgent as it sounds, The Fat Crab’s Lobster Thermidor was delicately flavored and not too heavy on the palate.

Sri Lankan Jaffna Crab Curry with Murunga Leaves 

One of the OG Lankan crab curries, this dish was superbly flavorful, equal parts spicy, tangy, and creamy. The aroma of Jaffna crab curry is a sensory journey in itself, and The Fat Crab’s Jaffna Crab Curry (we had the large crab) was rich in flavor and meat. As with all crab curries, getting to the meat takes a bit of effort, but it’s well worth it when you finally sink your teeth into the sweetness of the crab, blended with the bold spices of Jaffna curry powder.

Singapore Chilli Crab 

Singapore Chilli Crab is arguably one of the most popular South East Asian crab dishes. It’s most popular in Singapore’s hawker streets but has a loyal following worldwide. The Fat Crab’s rendition is, happily, not too spicy. The tomato-based sauce takes center stage, with the chili providing some heat without overpowering the dish, as it often does in other versions of chilli crab. What sets Singapore Chilli Crab apart is the addition of egg folded into the sauce, creating a silky smooth texture that, when mixed with crab meat, is simply delectable.

Mongolian Rice with Seafood and Chicken 

As Sri Lankan’s how could we skip the rice? The Fat Crab’s Mongolian Rice with Seafood and Chicken. The portion wasn’t overly large, but there was a generous amount of fish, prawns, and chicken, making it a hearty meal. The umami flavors of soy sauce and oyster sauce complemented the seafood and chicken, creating a very satisfying dish that can either enhance any meal or stand as a meal on its own.

Ambience

The Fat Crab’s newest restaurant may appear compact at first, but it spans four floors, including an open kitchen on the first floor for those who’d like to watch their food being prepared. There are also a variety of private dining rooms for small to medium-sized parties.

The overall interior is very modern, with the ground floor having more of a café feel, while the upper floors offer a more traditional restaurant ambiance and greater privacy, allowing you to get messy with your crab.