In a country with one season, the only way to tell it is autumn is through the array of seasonal ingredients appearing on menus: pumpkin, apple, white truffle, and of course, hairy crab. Here are the best restaurants in Singapore to dine on hairy crab in 2024.
Hairy crab typically comes into season around October and November when the crustacean reaches sexual maturity. It is characterised by its small size – about the length of an adult human palm – and dark furry claws, which is why the species is also known as mitten crab.
The majority of hairy crabs found here are harvested from Taihu Lake in Suzhou, China. They also come from the nearby Yangcheng Lake and are considered to be of a higher quality. The crab is then steamed and served with vinegar as a dipping sauce, with ginger tea or Chinese yellow rice wine on the side to balance the crab’s cooling properties. Both male and female varieties are used during cooking, and the male is prized higher due to its sweet flesh and creamy roe.
To enjoy hairy crab in Singapore in 2024, visit Crystal Jade, which is featuring them across its family of restaurants from the fine-dining Crystal Jade Palace to the casual Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen. Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant has seven dishes accented by the crustacean’s meat and roe. Shang Palace, Yan, and Min Jiang present the delicacy in elaborate six-course meals. Then there is Putien, which has hairy crab fried bee hoon, drunken hairy crab, and other dishes all at fixed prices. Check them out below.
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11 restaurants in Singapore to savour hairy crab in 2024
Crystal Jade
Crystal Jade sources its hairy crabs from the acclaimed Yangcheng Lake and showcases them across its family of restaurants. The crustacean is transformed into dishes like hairy crab xiao long bao (SGD 16.80++/HKD 97.70++) and steamed scallop with Chinese wine and chicken oil with hairy crab roe (SGD 28++/HKD 162.82++) at the fine-dining Crystal Jade Palace, Crystal Jade Golden Palace, and Crystal Jade Pavilion. At Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen and Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, both casual eateries are serving hairy crab roe and Chinese yam congee (SGD 14.80++/HKD 86++) and hairy crab roe with fresh lily bulb and sweet pea on la mian (SGD 16.80++/HKD 97.70++).
From SGD 14.80++ (HKD 86++)
October 14 – December 15, 2024
(Image credit: Crystal Jade Group)
- Website Website here
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant
For the 2024 hairy crab season in Singapore, Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant has come up with seven dishes accented by the crustacean’s meat and roe. Highlights include the new steamed king prawns with egg white (SGD 48++/HKD 279++), deep-fried grouper fillet (SGD 38++/HKD 221++), and the ever-popular xiao long bao (SGD 28++/HKD 162.82++). All hairy crab dishes are served with hot ginger tea.
From SGD 28++(HKD 162.82++)
October 5 – November 30, 2024
Daily 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6:30 pm – 10 pm
(Image credit: Sheraton Towers Singapore)
- Address 39 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228230
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6839 5623
Madame Fan
The centrepiece of Madame Fan’s hairy crab experience is the salt-baked hairy crab (SGD 88++/HKD 511.73++), which is flavoured with star anise, cinnamon, bay leaf, black cardamom, and a touch of clove. The modern Cantonese restaurant also showcases the crustacean’s meat and roe in dishes such as wanton (SGD 38++/HKD 221++), poached tofu rice (SGD 28++/HKD 162.82++), and braised fish maw (SGD 48++/HKD 279++).
From SGD 28++ (HKD 162.82++)
October 14 – November 30, 2024
Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
(Image credit: The NCO Club)
- Address 32 Beach Rd, The NCO Club, Singapore 189764
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6818 1921
Man Fu Yuan
Man Fu Yuan has the steamed Yangcheng Lake hairy crab (from SGD 69.90++/HKD 405.30++ per crab) with weights starting from 150g and both male and female crustaceans on the menu. Other hairy crab dishes include braised choy sum with dried scallop, tobiko, and egg white (SGD 58++/HKD 337.30++), braised tofu (SGD 88++/HKD 511.73++), and fried rice (SGD 78++/HKD 453.60++).
From SGD 48++ (HKD 279++)
October 15 – November 30, 2024
Monday – Friday, 12 pm – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
(Image credit: Intercontinental Singapore)
- Address 80 Middle Rd, Level 2, Intercontinental, Singapore 188966
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6825 1008
Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey
Hairy crab is back at both Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey, with both restaurants offering six-course set menus showcasing the delicacy. Look forward to baked hairy crab with the chef’s homemade spiced sea salt, braised meatball stuffed with crab and vegetables, and the perennial favourite: steamed hairy crab with ginger rice wine. Dishes are also available individually. Click on the links to book for Min Jiang and Min Jiang at Dempsey.
Six-course set menu: from SGD 168++ (HKD 977++) per person (minimum two people)
A la carte dishes from SGD 26++ (HKD 151.20++)
October 14 – November 17, 2024
(Image credit: Goodwood Park Hotel)
- Website Website here
Mott 32
At the modern Cantonese restaurant Mott 32, hairy crab is presented in a variety of dishes such as fish maw and hairy crab roe soup (SGD 60++/HKD 349++) and baked black cod with hairy crab roe (SGD 88++/HKD 511.73++). For the classic, diners can choose between male (270g) or female (200g) hairy crab at prices starting from SGD 148++ (HKD 860.63++).
From SGD 8++ (HKD 46.50++)
Throughout November 2024
Daily, 11:30 am – 2:15 pm, 5 pm – 9:30 pm
(Image credit: Mott 32)
- Address 10 Bayfront Avenue B1-42-44 Galleria Level, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 018956
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6688 9922
Putien
Putien takes its hairy crabs from the pristine waters of the Yangtze River Delta and turns them into dishes like crab roe fried bee hoon (SGD 28.80/HKD 167.40), wok-fried hairy crab (SGD 38/HKD 221), claypot crab roe beancurd (SGD 26.80/HKD 155.85), and drunken hairy crab (SGD 38/HKD 221), along with the traditional steamed (SGD 38/HKD 221) preparation. Best part? The restaurant does not tack on GST and service charge to the prices. The dishes are available at all Putien outlets.
From SGD 26.80 (HKD 155.85)
Until November 30, 2024
(Image credit: Putien)
- Website Website here
Shang Palace
Shang Palace sources its hairy crab from the renowned Taihu Lake and offers them as part of a six-course set menu. The roe features in dishes such as with steamed glutinous rice, inside a crispy spring roll skin with egg white, and topped on sauteed lobster meat, while braised inaniwa udon is tossed with hairy crab roe and oil. Diners also receive a complimentary 375ml bottle of Chinese yellow rice wine.
Six-course set menu: SGD 268++ (HKD 1,558.50++) per person (minimum two people)
A la carte dishes from SGD 28++ (HKD 162.82++)
October 14 – November 30, 2024
Daily, 12 pm – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
(Image credit: Shangri-La Singapore)
- Address 22 Orange Grove Rd, Shangri-La, Singapore 258350
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6213 4473
Xia Mi Hao Liao
Xia Mi Hao Liao one-ups restaurants serving the typical steamed hairy crab. The Hubei seafood restaurant files in the delicacy fresh weekly from China and cooks it in five ways, from the Signature 10 Spiced Hairy Crab to the crunchy Bi Feng Tang Hairy Crab. Chilli fans can look forward to the spicy hairy crab doused in plenty of heat, while the minced garlic hairy crab is captivatingly fragrant. Unlike other places, the restaurant serves hairy crab year-round.
Seasonal price
Monday – Friday, 5 pm – 1 am
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 am – 1 am
(Image credit: Xia Mi Hao Liao)
- Address 20 Upper Weld Rd, Singapore 207377
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 8314 5451
Yan
The Cantonese restaurant at the National Gallery has a six-course set menu that showcases hairy crab in dishes like truffle broth with diced seafood, braised abalone with seasonal greens and oyster sauce, and the classic steamed live hairy crab with ginger and vinegar. The dishes are also available individually.
Six-course set menu: SGD 198++ (HKD 1,151.40++) per person (minimum two people)
A la carte dishes from SGD 18++ (HKD 104.67++)
November 1 to 30, 2024
Daily, 11:30 am – 2:30pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
(Image credit: Yan)
- Address 1 St Andrew's Rd, #05-02 National Gallery, Singapore 178957
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 9272 7522
Yi by Jereme Leung
Hairy crab is coming for dim sum at Yi by Jereme Leung, which has created the crispy pancake with hairy crab roe and radish (SGD 18++/HKD 104.67++) and beancurd skin stuffed with the roe (SGD 18++/HKD 104.67++) for lunch. The delicacy also finds its way into other 10 dishes like avocado and crab meat tartare served in a crispy shell (SGD 28++/HKD 162.82++), Yangcheng crispy rice noodles with stuffed tofu skin and roe (SGD 38++/HKD 221++), and baked hairy crab with lemongrass (SGD 148++/HKD 860.63++), which is accompanied by osmanthus and wolfberry ginger tea.
From SGD 18++ (HKD 104.67++)
October 7 – November 24, 2024
Daily, 11:30 am – 2 pm, 6 pm – 9:30 pm
(Image credit: Raffles Hotel Singapore)
- Address 328 North Bridge Rd, #03-02 Raffles Arcade, Singapore 188719
google map - Website Website here
- Phone 6337 1886
This story first appeared here.
(Featured image credit: HUIZENG HU/Moment/Getty Images)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
