Hairy crabs are back in season – here's your chance to enjoy the prized golden roe and sweet meat of this tiny crustacean. Have it steamed or try these colourful creations offered by the top Chinese restaurants in Singapore.
1. Shang Palace
Treat yourself to a delectable six-course spread featuring hairy crabs in each dish. We also recommend trying the braised bird’s nest ($56) and braised tofu with meatball ($42), both served with generous slivers of hairy crab meat and roe.
Available from Oct 17 to Nov 30.
2. Yan Ting
Choose between two seven-course hairy crab set menus available during lunch ($148/person) and dinner ($180/person). There are also à la carte options like cheese-baked crab shell filled with crab meat ($28) and slow-cooked crab claw served in pumpkin ($38).
Available from Oct 24 to Dec 31.
3. Wan Hao
With two set menus priced at $108 for five courses and $118 for six courses, the newly revamped Wan Hao is one of the most affordable places in town to get your hairy crab fix. For à la carte options, try the hairy crab xiao long bao ($10/two pieces) or the hairy crab stir-fried with fresh milk, egg white and shrimp roe ($35).
Available from Oct 1 to Nov 30.
4. Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant
It's a mix of old and new at Li Bai. Fresh offerings include hairy crab served in a few ways: topped with steamed egg white ($26), with deep-fried soft shell crab ($28) and with braised scallop and beancurd ($26). While popular dishes like braised bird’s nest wrapped in egg with hairy crab ($88) make a reappearance on the menu.
Available from Oct 17 to Nov 30.
5. Min Jiang
For hairy crab purists, Min Jiang serves them simply: either baked with ginger rice wine wrapped in lotus leaf ($68) or steamed with glutinous rice ($68). There are also two set menus priced at $118 and $128 per person that feature a mix of hairy crab dishes and other restaurant signatures.
Available from Oct 15 to Nov 15.