Supersized & succulent: Sri Lanka's live mud crabs get bigger & better than ever at Aliyaa

The Cinnamon Group's Aliyaa cracks open a fresh chapter for crab cravings in KL, flying in live Sri Lankan mud crabs that now mostly weigh over one kilogram.

Coveted across Asia, these crustaceans come with captivatingly firm flesh and sweet flavour, forged by the nutrient-rich tides and terrains of Sri Lanka's mangrove channels and lagoons.

Supersize your succulent indulgence with the meatiest claws in Aliyaa's coastal-cooking styles, from the classic Jaffna simmered in bold spices and creamy coconut milk to recipes with roasted cinnamon, fiery varuval or dry-fried nandu varai.

We also return for the Aliyaa Experience, a thoughtful sampler that showcases Aliyaa's signatures in a single meal: Fish Cutlets, Chicken Kalupol, Dunthel Bath, Fish Poriyal, Prawn Sothi, Mutton Paal Poriyal, Pineapple Curry, Amma’s Eggplant Salad, Mango Chutney, Peanut Sambol, Pappadum & Chilli, and Sweet Appam, on one convenient tray.

Head chef Siva Suppaiya ensures that everything embraces the soul of Sri Lankan cuisine, from restorative Nandu Rasam with blue swimmer crabs to vegetarian vibrance like Paal Curry Okra, Potato Poriyal and Spinach Dhal. Even the seemingly simple Crackers & Dips burst with taste and texture, thanks to a time-honoured series of sambols.

Aliyaa's centrepiece whole crabs promise not merely volume but character, embodied in the Amma preparation, a tribute to the recipe of Dr. Parvathy Kanthasamy, the mother of the Cinnamon Group's founder, Abbi Kanthasamy. 

True to Sri Lanka's Northern Province, this draws on a distinctive palette of native seasonings, for a curry that's thicker, richer and more aromatic than most. 

The crab's full-bodied tenderness holds its own to the curry's intensity, balancing delicacy with depth. Delicious to the last dense morsel, where maternal memory meets culinary mastery.

Also preserving the legacy of Sri Lanka's gastronomy, the Aliyaa Experience is a curated journey that joyously distils the diverse essence of the island's heritage (RM128 per person, minimum two diners).

Start with crisp Fish Cutlets before a spectrum of classics: Chicken Kalupol, darkly earthy with roasted spices; Fish Poriyal and Prawn Sothi, showcasing seafood through contrasting lenses of dry-fried savouriness and coconut-smooth subtlety; Mutton Paal Poriyal, heartily robust with a fennel fragrance; and Dunthel Bath, rice made nutty with cashews.

Supporting them lusciously: Pineapple Curry, Amma’s Eggplant Salad, Mango Chutney and Nethili Sambol (anchovy sambol), plus the crunchy snap and heat of Pappadum with Chilli and crowd-pleasing finale of Appam, comfortingly soft-centred with caramelised edges. Fully vegetarian options are also available for this experience.

Aliyaa’s Nandu Rasam merits a mention on its own, beautifully crowned with blue swimmer crab to enrich the broth's spice-charged, tamarind-tangy base. Light but bracing, this rasam warms the body and boosts immunity while reviving the palate. A must for every meal here. 

We can't stop snacking on Aliyaa's Crackers & Dips, also an alluring appetiser: Crackly pappadum with seeni sambol (featuring caramelised onions to balance spice with sweetness), pol sambol (a bright, buoyantly tropical coconut relish), mango sambol (ripe and refreshing) and katta sambol (raw and rustic, ferocious with chillies and onions).

For everyday enjoyment, Aliyaa celebrates the staples that anchor Sri Lanka's household kitchens: The Chicken Curry is light with layers of curry powder and cinnamon, while Paal Curry Okra and Spinach Dhal are gently tempered for soothing lushness. Potato Poriyal is dry-fried with mustard seeds, curry leaves and grated coconut, keeping us munching merrily.

Toast to a triumphant feast with Aliyaa's special cocktail that harnesses Sri Lanka’s liquid heritage: Old Arrack, the golden spirit from coconut flower sap, and Narikela, a pure coconut liqueur. Together, the caramel-and-spice backbone of arrack and the mellow, silken splash of Narikela inspire sips that prove unmistakably, uniquely Sri Lankan in charm.



Aliyaa
No 48 G&M, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
Daily, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-11pm. Tel: 017-883-3738