How To Choose The Best Hairy Crabs
The peak of Hairy Crab season has arrived. One of the best Cantonese food Singapore has to offer, this prized crustacean is typically savoured in November (yes, now!). Whether you’re planning to enjoy this in a restaurant or at home, follow these expert tips to ensure you’re getting the finest crabs.
First, check for alertness. Place a finger in front of the crab and have it follow your finger. Look at its eyes and see how quickly they react to your movements. Then, simply observe it. Does it blow bubbles? If it does, it’s a good bet you’re getting one of the best Hairy Crabs.
Year after year, our customers come back for Hairy Crab. Why are they so good? As a top Cantonese restaurant known for its commitment to quality, we only source the very best. 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 pure, freshwater environment, which produces crabs with exceptionally fragrant, juicy meat and rich golden roe. All the crabs comes with an authenticity label.
A good Hairy Crab is also full-bodied. Compare its width before committing to purchase. You can also ascertain its quality by touching the underbelly, that is, if you’re not squeamish. If it’s firm, you could be in for a juicy treat. Now, the part that gets us excited: ROE. All-glorious, satisfyingly creamy and rich, this umami flavour burst is what people wait for.
Crab Roe – The Ultimate Indulgence
Male crab roe is creamier and liquid-like in texture, while its counterpart tends to be more solid and crumbly.
Fun fact: Females have both solid and creamy eggs, but the quantity of its creamy roe pales in comparison to that of a male crab.
Fun fact: Females have both solid and creamy eggs, but the quantity of its creamy roe pales in comparison to that of a male crab.
Watch to see how you can differentiate the gender:
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.
Based on the Chinese saying “原汁原味 “ (yuán zhī yuán wèi), which means “original authentic taste”, Hairy Crabs are typically enjoyed steamed. One would enjoy it with vinegar on the side, and a pot of ginger tea to pair with. Hairy crabs are known to be ‘凉’ (cooling, or ‘yin’), so drinking ginger tea helps to ‘warm’ up the body, balancing the ‘yang’. Ginger tea also refreshes the palate and staves of the ‘fishiness’ that seafood has. For those seeking varied flavours of the Hairy Crab, Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant has no lack of delicacies for you to choose from. View our menu here
A Fine Dining Restaurant Experience
For those who appreciate wine pairings with Hairy Crabs, we have just the event for you:
Our annual Hairy Crab Wine Dinner will be back for another edition! More details to follow, but this elevated fining is an experience Hairy Crab & fining aficionados should not miss
Can’t make it to our Wine Dinner? We will have a repertoire of Hairy Crab selections for you in November. Whether you prefer it the classic way, or like to be more adventurous, Li Bai offers the best Chinese food Singapore has to offer this season.
Li Bai Cantonese Restaurant
Address: Sheraton Towers Singapore, 39 Scotts Road, Lower Lobby, Singapore 228230
Monday – Saturday: 11:30AM – 3:00PM (last order 2:30PM) | 6:30PM – 10:00PM (last order 9:30PM)
Sunday: 10:30AM – 3:00PM (last order 2:30PM) | 6:30PM – 10:00PM (last order 9:30PM)
Reservations: Via Sevenrooms or WhatsApp
Enquiries: Contact Us Here or call +65 6839 5623
Follow: @LiBaiSG | LiBaiRestaurant | XiaoHongShu
Reservations recommended.
