🦀 Crab Sukka / Dhenji Ajadhina

Mangalorean-style spiced crab with roasted coconut masala

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 15 mins | Serves: 6
Calories (approx): 291 kcal per serving

🐟 The Sea Sings Spice

🌿 Introduction

From the coconut-fringed shores of Mangalore comes a dish that carries the rhythm of crashing waves

and the warmth of family kitchens.

Crab Sukka — or Dhenji Ajadhina — is fiery, aromatic, and richly layered with roasted spices and coconut.

It’s the kind of dish that demands you eat with your hands, laugh freely, and savor every messy, joyful bite.

“Some flavors carry the tide with them — bold, restless, and unforgettable.” — Author

Crab Sukka / Dhenji Ajadhina

Mangalorean Crab Sukka – spicy coastal crab coated in roasted coconut masala

Photo by Stirred By Spice

📝 Ingredients

🌶️ For the Masala Fry

Coconut oil
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds
10–12 Dry Red Chilies
10–12 Peppercorns
5–6 Fenugreek Seeds
½ tsp Cumin Seeds
1 Large Onion
6–8 Garlic Cloves
½ tsp Turmeric Powder

🦀 Main Ingredients

10–12 Crabs, cleaned
½ Large Onion, finely sliced
½ tsp Tamarind Paste
¾ cup Shredded Coconut (fresh or desiccated)
Salt to taste

🍽️ Instructions

Fry the Masala: Heat coconut oil. Roast coriander, chilies, peppercorns, fenugreek, cumin, onion, and garlic until golden.
Blend to a smooth paste with tamarind.
Sauté & Simmer: In the same pan, sauté onions, add the ground masala, and toss in the cleaned crabs.
Add salt and a splash of water if needed.
Cook the Crab: Cover and cook 10–15 minutes until the masala is thick, aromatic, and clings to the crab.
Finish with Coconut: Sprinkle shredded coconut, mix gently, and turn off heat.

🍷 Optional Serving Notes

Pairs beautifully with idlis, curd rice, or lemon rice.

Serve alongside neer dosa for a traditional coastal meal.

Add a squeeze of lime for an extra lift.

For festive meals, serve as part of a Mangalorean seafood thali.

💬 Soulful Note

To eat crab sukka is to taste coastal India — spicy, messy, and full of joy.

It’s a dish that smells like monsoons, festivals, and childhood memories shared around a steel plate

📚 Cook’s Wisdom / FAQs

Cook's Wisdom

Tip: For extra aroma, add 1 tsp roasted ghee at the end.

Adjust chilies to your spice tolerance — Sukka is traditionally fiery!
Substitute with prawns or squid for a quicker variation.
Crab meat is naturally lean, protein-packed, and low in fat.

📊 Nutrition (Per Serving — Approx.)

Calories 291
Protein 48g
Carbs 9g
Fat 6g
Fiber 2g

🍃🌶🍃 The Bottom Line

Every bite of crab sukka carries the rhythm of the ocean — bold, spiced, and alive with memory.