Published Nov 01, 2013 Updated Sep 12, 2024
Devil’s Curry Recipe
Devil’s Curry is a Malaysian dish of chicken curry with vinegar. It’s a special-occasion dish made popular by the Portuguese Eurasian in Malaysia. This is an authentic recipe originated in the state of Melaka (Malacca) in the peninsula of Malaysia.
History Of Devil’s Curry
In the 15th century, Malacca was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia. The Sultanate of Malacca was a powerful empire. In 1511, the Portuguese conquered Malacca and started the colonization era of Malaysia. Many Portuguese settled down and married local women and formed the Cristang/Eurasian community in Malaccca. Devil’s Curry or Curry Devil is a special occasion dish for them. It’s also called Kari Debal or curry Debal.
Recipe Ingredients
Devil’s Curry is a fiery red curry made with a spice paste of the following ingredients:
Red chilies Shallots Garlic Lemongrass Ginger Galangal Turmeric
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients. All the ingredients above are accessible outside of Malaysia. For the spices such as mustard seeds, galangal and turmeric, you can find them at Asian stores. Unlike other Malaysian curries, Devil’s Curry is flavored with vinegar for the sharp taste. The end result is a curry dish that is spice-laden, complex in flavor, tantalizing to the taste buds. It’s a must-have during festivities such as Christmas for the Eurasian Kristang community in Malaysia. I learned and adapted the recipe from my good friend Chef Robert Danhi, whose sister-in-law is a Portuguese-Eurasian born and raised in Malacca.
What To Serve With Devil’s Curry
This curry dish is best served with steamed rice. For a Malaysian meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
