Check for alertness. Look at their eyes and see if they are quick to react and follow our movements. If it blows bubbles, it’s a good bet you’re getting one of the best Hairy Crabs.

Why are our hairy crabs so good? Li Bai’s Senior Executive Sous Chef Tan Guan Chee shares, “We only use crabs from Yang Cheng Lake.” The famed river body is known for its freshwater, which produces crabs with fragrant, juicy meat. All the crabs have an authenticity label. 

Apart from thickness, ascertain the quality of the crab by touching its underbelly. If it’s firm, the meat is likely to be juicy.  Now, the part that gets us excited: ROE. All-glorious, satisfyingly creamy and rich, these umami flavour bursts are what people wait for these crabs to be in season for.

Crab Roe

Male crab roe is creamier and liquid-like in texture, while its counterpart tend to be more solid and crumbly. Females have both solid and creamy eggs, but of course, the quantity of its creamy roe pales in comparison to that of a male crab.

To check the gender, flip the crustacean over and look at its apron, or flap, as most of us would term it. Female crabs have a rounded underside while males have pointed aprons.

Best Time To Eat Hairy Crab

There are ‘appointed’ times to eat these crabs too. According to Chef Tan, males are best eaten in the month of November, while the finest females are savoured in October.

Served steamed traditionally, one would enjoy it with vinegar on the side, and ginger tea to pair with. Li Bai has taken it up a notch with the annual Wine Dinner fusing Hairy Crabmeat in its dishes.

Featuring three of the indulgent seven-course meal with wine pairings

(Front: Hairy Crabmeat Roe Lychee Scallop Ball & Crabmeat Goldfish Dumpling paired with Bottega Millesimato Spumante Brut 2023. Middle: Hairy Crabmeat Roe Crispy Rice Ball paired with Domaine Mia Mercurey Les Caudroyes Rouge 2020. Back: Stuffed Superior Bird’s Nest in Bamboo Pith and Hairy Crabmeat Roe, paired with J. De Villebois Sancerre Blanc AOP 2022)

*The Wine Dinner is over, thank you for your support and see you next year!

Whether you prefer it the classic way, or like to be more adventurous, tis the season to enjoy Hairy Crabs.

To enquire more on Li Bai Hairy Crab, reach us via +65 6839 5623 or Whatsapp