Cover Steamed hairy crab at Yàn at the National Gallery (Photo: Yàn)

Here’s where to find the best set and à la carte menus featuring this autumnal delicacy

Autumn is upon us, which means it’s hairy crab season. Prized for its tender meat and powerfully umami roe, hairy crab, native to Fujian, China, is only available for a very short time from September to December. So prized is hairy crab that some of Singapore’s top Chinese restaurants have dedicated entire menus to this delicacy, rendered exquisitely by some of the best Chinese chefs on the island. Wondering where to go for your hairy crab fix? We rounded up the best restaurants to sample the freshest hairy crabs of the season. 

Don’t miss: The best autumn menus to sample the freshest ingredients the season has to offer

1. Yì by Jereme Leung

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Above Hairy crab, which features in Yì by Jereme Leung’s exclusive hairy crab menu till November 17

Indulgence is the name of the game at Yì by Jereme Leung, and it’s no different with its hairy crab feast from now till November 17. You will find creative twists on traditional recipes, beginning with chilled hairy crab in Chinese wine brine, served with a dried longan wolfberry and ginger tea to whet the palate for more delicacies. It’s delicacy upon delicacy here, starring braised fish maw steak with the prized hairy crab roe, as well as silky capellini with assorted seafood, Suzhou hairy crab sauce, and black vinegar caviar. 

Yi by Jereme Leung
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

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2. Shang Palace

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Above Hairy crabs at Shang Palace (Photo: Shangri-La Singapore)

Hairy crabs from Taihu Lake steal the spotlight at Shang Palace, which is offering special hairy crab lunch and dinner menus from now till November 30. Choose from the à la carte selection or indulge in a sumptuous six-course menu, where you get to sample the sweet flesh of the hairy crab and its prized roe in nourishing dishes such as braised bird’s nest broth with hairy crab roe and bean curd, or even sautéed lobster with roe for double the crustacean goodness. 

Shang Palace
Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |  

22 Orange Grove Road, Lobby Level, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, S(258350)

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3. Yàn

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Above Food spread at Yàn, with its special hairy crab menu

A hairy crab feast awaits you at Yàn, where you will find both an à la carte menu and a six-course set menu to showcase the bounties of the season from now till November 30. Starting the set menu off strong is a braised hairy crab meat and roe broth, an intensely savoury creation complemented by the aroma of Shaoxing wine. Sometimes, the best creations are the simplest, and a steamed live hairy crab with minced ginger and vinegar allows you to savour every bit of the crab’s tender meat. For the full experience, order the 8-year-old Shaoxing wine, served hot to calm your stomach as you progress through the meal. 

Yàn
Chinese   |   $ $   |  

1 Saint Andrew's Road, #05-02 National Gallery Singapore, S(178957)

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4. Yan Ting

Cantonese cuisine is at its finest at Yan Ting, which is offering a luxurious six-course hairy crab set menu alongside à la carte items from now till December 15. Besides a grand steamed hairy crab best shared with friends and family, you’ll also find delights like stir-fried scallops tossed with hairy crab meat roe and a generous serving of truffle. 

Yan Ting
Chinese   |   $ $   |  

29 Tanglin Road, Level 1U, The St Regis Singapore, Singapore 247911

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5. Min Jiang

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Above Food spread at Min Jiang, which is offering exclusive hairy crab set menus (Photo: Goodwood Park Hotel)

Experience decadence itself at Min Jiang, which is offering hairy crab set menus at both its Goodwood Park Hotel and Dempsey outlets from now till November 30. The highlight of the six-course “Hairy Crab Bliss” menu is the steamed hairy crab, but if you want more of this delicacy, opt instead for the more premium “Hairy Crab Indulgence” menu, which includes xiao long bao with hairy crab meat, braised fish maw soup with crab meat, and a steamed hairy crab, served with glutinous rice and bamboo basket.

Min Jiang
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, S(228221)

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Min Jiang at Dempsey
Chinese   |   $ $ $ $   |  

7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, S(249684)

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6. Madame Fan

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Above Hairy crab at Madame Fan (Photo: Madame Fan)

Exquisite delicacies are in store for you at Madame Fan, which is offering an à la carte selection of hairy crab dishes from now till November 30. The showstopper is undoubtedly the salt-baked hairy crab, which boasts incredibly soft and succulent meat. If you prefer your hairy crabs traditionally steamed, however, you won’t be disappointed with the versions with perilla leaf and glutinous rice. Make sure to order other individual serving plates on the menu, including hairy crab roe and meat with Hokkaido scallop, and braised somen noodles with truffle and hairy crab roe.

Madame Fan
Cantonese   |   $ $ $   |  

32 Beach Rd, The NCO Club, S(189764)

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7. Imperial Treasure

Hairy crab roe shines in each of Imperial Treasure’s new à la carte items running until the end of the season, with silky treats such as braised thick noodles and steamed egg white. There are different menus available across Imperial Treasure’s outlets at Marina Bay Sands, Takashimaya, Asia Square, Paragon, Takashimaya and Great World, so make sure you look at each outlet’s menu promotions.

Imperial Treasure Fine Chinese Cuisine
Chinese   |   $ $ $   |  

10 Bayfront Avenue, #02-04, Level 2 Dining, Singapore 018972

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8. Crystal Jade Golden Palace

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Above Hairy crab xiao long bao

A staunch beacon of Chinese food in Singapore, Crystal Jade Golden Palace has released exquisite à la carte delights for the season’s bounty of hairy crabs from now till December 15. Here, you get to choose how your whole hairy crab is cooked in three ways: steamed with shiso leaf or 20-year aged Chinese hua diao wine, or baked with butter and salt. Don’t miss out on the hairy crab roe xiao long bao, or the indulgent la mian where thin wheat noodles are luxuriantly tossed with hairy crab roe and meat and sakura shrimp.

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