What is a hairy crab? What’s the best way to enjoy it?
Hairy crabs are freshwater crabs and are distinguishable by their furry claws. They are fondly known as the “Chinese mitten crab” as well. These crabs are seasonal and more readily available between September and November. It’s prized mostly for the succulently delicious meat and decadent richness of the female crab’s roe.
The best way to eat the crustacean? Steam it. This method allows the natural flavours and aroma of the crab to come through. Because the crab is said to be “cooling” for the body, it is recommended to balance it with something that is “heaty”. Ginger is known to be ‘heaty’, so having the crab with ginger tea is a good combination.
We’ve rounded up a list of places to get your fix of hairy crabs in Singapore.
Michelin-starred restaurant Shang Palace’s executive chef Daniel Cheung is presenting this autumn delicacy from Taihu Lake in a myriad of ways to showcase its rich, yet delicate flavours. A six-course set menu ($268++ per person) features dishes like Steamed Hairy Crab, Sauteed Lobster with Hairy Crab Roe, Braised Inaniwa Noodles with Hairy Crab Roe as well as oil, and Braised Bird’s Nest Broth wtih Hairy Crab Roe and Bean Curd.
Guests enjoy a complimentary bottle of eight-year-old Chinese yellow wine (375ml) with every two sets ordered.
The a la carte menu is brimming with crustacean dishes too, including Steamed Hairy Crab Roe filled in Assorted Seafood Dumpling ($38++ per person), and Deep-fried Bean Curd Skin wrapped with Hairy Crab Roe Toast ($30++ for four pieces)
Available daily for lunch and dinner, from now till Nov 30, 2023. Call 6213 4398, WhatsApp 9030 0187, email dining.sls@shangri-la.com or visit its website for reservations or more information.
The Chinese fine dining restaurant has unveiled a new seasonal hairy crab-focused menu that’s available till Nov 17, 2023, and spotlights crustaceans from Taihu Lake using a mix of traditional and innovative culinary techniques.
Kickstart your experience with the inventive Chilled Hairy Crab in Chinese Wine Brine served with Dried Longan, Wolfberry & Ginger Tea Jelly, ($148++ per piece), or Japanese Sweet Shrimps with Hairy Crab Roe tart ($68++).
Then move on to mains like Traditional Steamed Hairy Crab with Taiwanese Mullet Roe & Perilla Leaves served with Longan & Osmanthus Ginger Tea ($148++), as well as the intriguing Baked Hairy Crab with Garlic and Spring Onion, served with Longan & Osmanthus Ginger Tea ($148++).
For bite-sized morsels, there is hairy crab-themed dim sum too (available during lunch) from Pan-fried Hairy Crab Meat Roe Bun to Deep-fried Spring Roll stuffed with Hairy Crab Roe, Radish & Cheese (both $18++ for three pieces).
Yì by Jereme Leung is at #03-02 Raffles Arcade, 328 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 188719. Visit its website for reservations.
The highlight at Cantonese restaurant Yan this season is the Steamed Hairy Crab ($108++ per 200-220g crab), served with minced ginger and vinegar.
Order it on its own, or enjoy it as part of a tempting six-course menu ($168++; minimum two persons) that’s specially curated for hairy crab season.
This stars other dishes such as Braised Hairy Crab Meat and Roe Broth with diced Beancurd and Chinese Shaoxing Wine; Wok-Fried Spare Ribs with Pepper Sauce and Stewed Noodles topped with Crispy Sakura Shrimp and Dried Shrimp Roe.
For another crab-focused dish, get the Sauteed Pea Shoots with Hairy Crab Meat and Roe ($48++ per portion) from the a la carte menu.
And if you like, the restaurant is offering an eight-year-old Shao Hsing Rice Wine ($78++ per 750ml bottle) to go with the spread.
Available daily for dine-in at Yàn during lunch and dinner (11.30am to 2.30pm, and 6pm to 10pm) from Nov 1 to 30, 2023. Call 6384 558 or e-mail reserve@yan.com.sg, or visit its website for reservations or more information.
Goodwood Park Hotel’s Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey is wooing diners with stellar set menus and a la carte options that shine the light on the crustacean, exclusively available from now till Nov 30, 2023.
New items to feast on this year: Sauteed Hairy Crabmeat and Roe with Egg White and Peruvian White Asparagus at Min Jiang, as well as Hairy Crabmeat with Seafood Soup in Pomegranate Egg White Parcel, alongside Hairy Crabmeat with Homemade Tofu and Deep-fried Soft-Shell Crab at Min Jiang at Dempsey.
Past crowd-favourites have also made a return, from the Steamed Hairy Crab with Glutinous Rice served in Bamboo Basket (Minjiang) to the Steamed Hairy Crab with Ginger Rice Wine (Minjiang at Dempsey).
Six-course set menus are available at both outlets, as well as a la carte dishes.
A six-course menu starts from $168++ per person (min. two persons) at both Minjiang and Minjiang at Dempsey. For reservations, call Min Jiang at 6730 1704 or click here, or call Min Jiang at Dempsey at 6774 0122 or click here.
Specially procured from Lake Taihu, China, savour the delicate flesh and creamy roe of the hairy crab in a variety of a la carte dishes at Crystal Jade’s group of restaurants like Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Pavilion and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao. A must-try is the steamed xiao long bao with hairy crab roe ($16.80++ per piece, minimum two pieces), with each brimming with umami-rich crab stock.
Follow that with Taihu lake Hairy Crab served with ginger tea (you can choose for it to be steamed with perilla leaf, or 20-year-old Chinese hua diao wine) at a seasonal price.
Depending on which Crystal Jade restaurant you go to, you can dive into other specialties like Hairy Crab Roe & Meat Tossed With La Mian & Sakura Shrimp (Golden Palace), and Braised Four Treasure Thick Soup With Hashima & Hairy Crab Roe (Pavilion).
Available at Crystal Jade Palace, Golden Palace, Pavilion, Hong Kong Kitchen and La Mian Xiao Long Bao, from now till Dec 15, 2023. Visit its website for more information.
If you prefer to savour the delicacy in the comfort of your home, check out online delivery stores like Hairy Crab At Home, which flies its crabs in from Lake Tai.
The live crabs are sold in bundles of four and six, and you can choose between male or female crabs. With each order, you’ll also get ginger tea, perilla leaves (for steaming) and vinegar. The crabs come bound, and there are cooking instructions available on the website.
Priced from $218 for four crabs. Delivery is available islandwide, excluding Jurong Island. Visit its website to order or Facebook page for more information.
This small homegrown company stocks various meats and seafood, and subsequently added the hairy crab to its range of offerings. Its crustaceans are caught from either Yang Cheng Lake or Lake Tai.
You can choose from several bundles, with prices starting from $298 for six female crabs (175g) each. You’ll also get an exclusive gift box, deshelling tools, dried perilla leaves, vinegar and ginger tea.
Delivery is free for orders above $150. Visit its website to pre-order.
An online shop under Tuck Lee Ice Company, Season’s Best has a curation of fresh seafood like oysters, lobsters, and seafood platters available.
Its crustaceans are air-flown weekly from Yangcheng Lake in China’s Jiangsu province and delivered chilled straight to your doorstep, so they’re only available via pre-order.
Prices start from $76 for a package of two female crabs (175 to 200g). Each package will also come with perilla leaves, vinegar and ginger tea sachets. Visit its website to order.
Text: Mandy Lim Beitler/SilverKris and Michelle Lee
This article was originally published on Oct 27, 2022 and updated on Nov 3, 2023.