This pineapple shrimp curry is packed with sweet and spicy flavor. It's slightly adapted from a traditional Malaysian Nyonya curry to be that bit quicker and easier, but just as delicious.

bowl of pineapple shrimp curry with shallot and chili behind

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When friends of ours moved to Malaysia a few years ago, I was excited about the prospect of visiting. Food was, of course, high on my agenda when I managed to get a trip set up. And it didn't disappoint.

I don't think I appreciated before I was due to go quite how broad a range of food I'd find. I knew about some typical dishes like satay, nasi goreng and laksa, but admittedly not a huge amount more. But, I did some homework so I could try my best to hunt down a good range.

overhead view of bowl of pineapple shrimp curry

Thankfully, my host was a bit of a foodie as well and helped point me in the right direction of a range of markets, hawker stalls and more. I soon got a feel for both the range of international dishes you could find, as well as regional Malaysian cuisine like asam laksa.

A trip to Malakka helped me explore a very local cuisine, as well, often referred to as Nyonya. This is where the original version of this curry, Udang Masak Lemak Nenas in Malay, originates.

bowls with shrimp, coconut milk, pineapple, nuts, chili, shallot, garlic ginger and other spices

What is Nyonya cuisine?

If you haven't heard the term Nyonya before, it is a Malay term that literally means 'auntie' or 'grandmother' but meant as a term of respect. These days, it's commonly used to refer to Perenakan cuisine, which is an early fusion cuisine found in Malaysia.

Perenakans were the early Chinese immigrants to the area that is now Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. They developed a unique cuisine incorporating the new ingredients they found in the Malay peninsular and surrounding area, such as coconut milk, with traditional Chinese ones, as well as combining techniques.

The result is a range of dishes that combine spice with herbal, tangy and aromatic.

Nyonya restaurant, Melakka - Nyonya shrimp and pineapple curry

While it may not be a cuisine as well known by name in the West, it has become very popular in Southeast Asia. And you may be aware of it without realizing as dishes like laksa are generally considered Nyonya cuisine.

There are many more, though, that are worth exploring, and it varies by area, too. For some, Malakka on the coast is considered the home to some of the most authentic Nyonya cuisine.

As the former major port in the area, it was where many immigrants arrived and, in some cases, stayed. I was lucky enough to visit a couple Nyonya eateries on my trip there, like the one above. But I do hope to return to try even more (and this time without a young child in tow to try to accommodate).

paste for Nyonya shrimp and pineapple curry

My adapted Nyonya pineapple and shrimp curry

As mentioned up-front, this curry is not totally true to the original. Nyonya dishes typically take time to make, while here I have adapted it to be a bit quicker. I have also used some ingredients more readily available in Western kitchens.

Here's a quick breakdown of the switches I have made in case you want to make it a little closer to the original:

You typically use fresh pineapple for this and cook it down for a while first. I, instead, used tinned pineapple and some of the juice to speed the process up (and be quite a bit easier).
I have used ginger in place of galangal - both are relatively close though galangal is a little more peppery and sharper in flavor. If you have galangal, great, but ginger is generally easier to find.
Fish sauce instead of shrimp paste - both have that slightly fishy saltiness that gives a slight 'tang'. If you have or can find shrimp paste, it is worth using, just use a little less.
Macadamia or raw cashews in place of the traditional candlenuts, which are harder to find.
I've probably used more shrimp than you traditionally would but personally I like it a little more 'full'.

Including some of the juice from the tinned pineapple helps give a more intense pineapple flavor without the traditional long, slow cook. And the prep is a whole lot easier, too.

cooking pineapple shrimp curry in skillet

A quick cook

In terms of cooking, you follow the laksa-like method of making a paste with the chili and aromatics. You fry this first to bring out all the aromatic flavors. Then, add the coconut milk and pineapple to form the base of the sauce. Lastly, cook the shrimp in the sauce just long enough to cook them through.

The end result is a delicious coconut-y sauce with a little pineapple sweetness. There's a touch of sour in there and a good spice kick too (though you can dial it down if you prefer).

As long as you have a food processor or blender to help with the paste (and even without), it all comes together really quickly. True, it may not have quite as much depth of flavor as the original, but it is certainly still delicious.

This shrimp and pineapple curry is flavorful, fresh-tasting and quick to make. It's one of those wonderful dishes that is quick enough for a busy mid-week meal but is also great when you want something a bit special. It's a fantastic dish you'll want to have again and again.

bowl of pineapple shrimp curry with pan with more behind

Try these other seafood curries:

Goan fish curry
Thai green curry shrimp
Kid-friendly salmon curry
Plus get more seafood recipes and Southeast Asian recipes in the archives.

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5 from 3 votes