The hairy crab is a seasonal indulgence, which is only available during the autumn period. The sweetness from its fine-textured flesh (albeit not as meaty as flower or Sri Lankan crabs) is wonderful, but it is the marvelous, creamy golden crab roe that will leave you wanting more.
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It is said that the female crabs are best during the ninth month of the lunar calendar and the male crabs the tenth, so do take note if you are particular. For those who prefer not to get too hands-on, there are also a good number of luscious dishes prepared with hairy crab meat and roe, all ready for your dining pleasure. Enjoy.
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Yàn at the National Gallery Singapore
This hairy Crab season, Yàn presents a specially curated repertoire of dishes using classic Cantonese culinary techniques to showcase the exquisite flavours of this celebrated crustacean. Ever-popular favourites include traditional steamed hairy crab, silky beancurd broth with hairy crab meat and poached noodles with hairy crab meat. A special 6-course hairy crab festival menu is also available, featuring a selection of dishes such as barbecue combination platter and crispy fried cod fish fillet with house special sauce.
Available from 11 November to 11 December 2019
Yàn, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, 1 St Andrew’s Road. Tel: 6384 5585.
Yan Ting at The St Regis Singapore
It is Hairy Crabs and Alsakan King Crabs galore this autumn at Yan Ting at The St. Regis Singapore. Yan Ting’s master chefs have created both classic and modern interpretations of these seasonal delicacies that preserves the goodnesss of dainty hairy crabs and also the sweetenss of meaty Alaskan king crabs. Do consider the nourishing braised bird’s nest broth with hairy crab meat, and the pan-fried scallops with hairy crab meat in crispy tart. Classic steamed hairy crabs are also on the menu. Crab lovers may also try the steamed Alaskan king crab with Chinese wine and egg white or steamed Alaskan king crab roe.
Available from 15 October to 15 December 2019
Yan Ting, Level 1U, The St Regis Singapore. Tel: 6506-6887
Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental
The ever-elegant Cherry Garden at Mandarin Oriental presents an exquisite seasonal menu featuring hairy crabs from Lake Tai. Diners may choose to enjoy the prized crustacean prepared in the classic fashion: simply steamed with ginger and served with ginger tea (it is believed that hairy crabs are cooling in nature and the ginger tea helps warm the body), to best savour the pure flavours of its creamy roe and delicate flesh. Otherwise, it is also a delicious option to have the hairy crab meat and roe prepared as a hearty thick soup with dried fish maw, braised with homemade tofu or braised with ee-fu noodles. In addition to eh a la carte selections, lunch and dinner set menus are also available.
Available till end of November, while stocks last.
Cherry Garden, Level 5, Mandarin Oriental Singapore. Tel: 6885-3500.
Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel
Award-winning Chinese restaurant Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel introduces a delectable selection of hairy crab dishes prepared in different styles featuring hairy crabs from Lake Tai (Lake Tai lies on the border of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in China). Highlights from the a la carte menu include signatures such as the steamed hairy crab with glutinous rice served in bamboo basket and steamed hairy crab that best showcases the natural sweet flavours of the hairy crab. Dishes such as braised hairy crab meat and roe on mung bean jelly and baked hairy crab with ginger rice wine wrapped in lotus leaf also come recommended. Set menus are also available.
Available from 11 October to 10 November 2019.
Min Jiang at Goodwood Park Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road. Tel: 6730-1704.
Shang Palace
The crab fit for a king has never rung more true in the opulent setting of Shang Palace. Freshly steamed crabs here are served with a choice of sweet ginger tea or aged Shaoxing wine to offset the “cool” nature of the seafood. You can also enjoy the prized crabs in a variety of dishes including a moreish redition of Korean rice, diced cod, and hairy crab roe all served in a heated claypot. Or, go the full mile and feast on an entire multi-course hairy-crab focused set meal. Available until 30 November.
Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Rd. Tel: 6213 4473
Imperial Treasure Fine Shanghai Cuisine
For a refined rendition of hairy crab dishes, do consider one of five participating restaurant outlets of the Imperial Treasure Group. There is the classic sautéed hairy crab roe that is essentially essence of hairy crab in every mouthful, and dishes that showcases the sweetness of the roe such as braised flour skin (or fen pi) with hairy crab roe – a play of textures between the good bite of fen pi and the buttery roe— and sautéed shrimps with hairy crab roe, which pairs freshness with sweetness.
Available from 4 October 2019 till end of November, until further notice.
Imperial Treasure Fine Shanghai Cuisine, #04-22 Takashimaya S.C. Tel: 6836 6909. Hairy crab menu also served at Imperial Treasure Cantonese Cuisine, Great
World City; Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine, Marina Bay Sands; and Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck at both Paragon and Asia Square.
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