LONDON - THE world's most expensive curry has been launched despite the credit crunch - and costs 2,000 pounds (S$4762) a portion.

The Samundari Khazana curry, meaning Seafood Treasure, is a mix of caviar, sea snails, a whole lobster and even edible gold.

The posh nosh is being served up here at upmarket eatery Bombay Brasserie, according to a report in the Daily Mail of London.

Head chef Prahlad Hegde said despite the huge price tag, the dish will still be snapped up, despite the recession.

He told The Sun, 'There are still people out there with money to spend and this curry is a real experience.'

The chef prepares the dish with Devon crab and white truffle, while his assistant painstakingly presses gold leaf to half a cherry tomato filled with Beluga caviar, said Daily Mail.

He then places four sea snails - abalone - which cost almost 300 pounds a kilo, into a sizzling pan. Another chef coats an 80 pound Scottish lobster in gold, while a third deftly hollows out four shelled quails' eggs before filling them with more caviar.

'The idea is from a basic Indian recipe I got from my mum but we are using the finest ingredients in the world,' said Mr Hegde.

'The fish and seafood is marinated in chilli and tamarind paste, then I'm going to slice truffle over the top to give it a nutty flavour.'

The five tiny shavings of truffle cost 90 pounds while the shimmering, edible gold is priced at 1000 pounds for just 10g.

The curry has been created to coincide with the DVD launch of Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, which is set in India.