I absolutely love prawns. And apart from making them grilled or having prawn in pasta dishes, I also enjoy coconut-based Indian shrimp curry dishes. I make prawn curry just like Meen moilee ( a Kerala style coconut-based shrimp curry recipe that is super tasty).
I also love Goan prawn curry with its taste of coconut milk and kokum. Today I am sharing Mangalorean prawn curry recipe or prawn gassi recipe. This prawn curry recipe is Malvani style which is a coastal style of cooking in Mangalore. It's a favourite of mine.

Here's how to make this delicious prawn gassi recipe that is also very simple to make:
Ingredients
- ½ Kg. or 1.1 lb large prawns shelled and deveined
For masala paste
- 2 onions chopped
- ½ coconut scraped or chopped
- 2 tsp. ginger-garlic paste
- 8 dry red chillies (Byadgi or Kashmiri)
- ¼ tsp. fenugreek seeds
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp. peppercorn
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 2 tsp. coriander seeds
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp. oil
- 2 tbsp. tamarind paste
- 1.5 cups prawn stock or veg stock or water
Instructions:
Dry roast red chillies, fenugreek seeds, peppercorn, cumin seeds and coriander seeds for 2 minutes till fragrant.
In a blender the dry and roasted spices all with chopped coconut and turmeric powder till you get a thick paste. Use some water if needed. Now heat oil in a pan and fry finely chopped onions till golden brown.
Now add the coconut spice paste to this along with ginger garlic paste and cook till the raw smell is gone and the curry looks glossy. It took me about 15 minutes. Make sure that the masala paste does not burn.
Now add 1.5 cups prawn stock for more prawn flavour or any other stock or water to the masala. Bring to a boil.
Add the prawns along with tamarind paste and cook for just about 3-5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let the prawns soak in the flavour. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with boiled rice or appams. Your prawn gassi is ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
- Using prawn stock enhances the flavour of the curry but you can use plain water as well or veg or chicken stock if you so wish.
- I generally keep the shells and heads of the prawns when I devein them and make a quick broth by boiling them in water and straining.
- You can use the same recipe to make fish curry Mangalore style by using any firm fish. Just increase the cooking time suited to the fish you are using.
- Do not overcook the prawns or they become rubbery.
📖 Recipe Card
Mangalorean Prawn Curry | Prawn Gassi Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.1 pound prawns shelled and deveined
For masala paste
- 2 onions large
- ½ coconut scraped
- 2 tsp. ginger garlic paste
- 8 dry red chillies
- ½ tsp. fenugreek seeds
- 1 tbsp. peppercorn
- 1 tsp. cumin seeds
- 2 tsp. coriander seeds
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp. oil
- 2 tbsp. tamarind paste
- 1.5 cups prawn stock or veg stock or water
Instructions
- Dry roast red chillies, fenugreek seeds, peppercorn, cumin seeds and coriander seeds for 2 minutes till fragrant.
- In a blender the dry and roasted spices all with chopped coconut till you get a thick paste. Use some water if needed.
- Now heat oil in a pan and fry finely chopped onions till golden brown.
- Now add the coconut spice paste to this along with ginger garlic paste and cook till the raw smell is gone and the curry looks glossy. It took me about 15 minutes. Make sure that the masala paste does not burn.
- Now add 1.5 cups prawn stock for more prawn flavour or any other stock or water to the masala. Bring to a boil.
- Now add the prawns along with tamarind paste and cook for just about 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the prawns soak in the flavour.
- Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with boiled rice or appams. Your prawn gassi is ready.
Notes
- Using prawn stock enhances the flavour of the curry but you can use plain water as well or veg or chicken stock if you so wish.
- I generally keep the shells and heads of the prawns when I devein them and make a quick broth by boiling them in water and straining.
- You can use the same recipe to make fish curry Mangalore style by using any firm fish. Just increase the cooking time suited to the fish you are using.
Nutrition
Your tasty Mangalore shrimp curry is ready to serve.
Have it with some rice or appams. And then all you will need is a nice sleep. You can also have it as a perfect dinner or lunch recipe with family or when entertaining friends.
Here are some more seafood recipes for you to try out. If you like the recipe do share with your friends.
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Sanch @ Sanch Writes says
That looks yummy! I just need to figure out if I can find tamarind paste back home; it’s one ingredient I can’t seem to find often.
Rachna says
Oh, do you not have any Indian stores closeby? Or you can carry some paste back from here.
Jyotirmoy Sarkar says
Seems delicious, bookmarked it, will try.
Rachna says
Thanks Jyotirmoy
usha says
Great Curry.
I suppose that coconut is added along with onion at the time of grinding ?
Maria says
This was SO. GOOD. Added some chopped tomatoes for extra gravy. My husband is from Hyderabad and I struggle (especially as an Italian American) to find South Indian recipes that my husband will approve of. And he devoured this and asked for seconds! Thanks for sharing. This one is a keeper!!
Rachna says
Thanks Maria. You really made me so happy with your comment. 🙂
Keerthi says
Excellent recipe.......my family just loved it. Thanks Rachana.......?......yummy
Rachna says
Happy that your family loved it, Keerthi. 🙂
Gondi says
Such an authentic recipe. Your measurements and method are so good. This dish is truly addicting. Thanks for sharing
Rachna says
Thank you so much, Gondi. Glad you liked the recipe.