Cover (Source: Ying Jee Club)
(Source: Ying Jee Club)
1 / 1
All the top places to indulge in this seasonal delicacy right now
It is officially hairy crab season in Hong Kong. However, China's heat waves have greatly affected the growth of crabs this year, causing a short and delayed supply of this prized seasonal delicacy. Most treasured for its creamy golden roe and subtly sweet meat, this sought-after crustacean is in demand more so than ever. So, whether you prefer to have fresh crabs steamed simply or wrapped neatly in xiao long bao or atop silky noodles, here are the best places to indulge in hairy crabs this season.
1. Duddell's
Above (Source: Duddell's)
(Source: Duddell's)
1 / 1
What: The menu at Duddell's, which features Shanghainese hairy crabs farmed in Hokkaido, Japan, is available as a six-course tasting menu with a variety of limited edition specials too. The tasting menu includes courses such as steamed whole Hokkaido hairy crab; pan-fried scallops stuffed with shrimp paste and hairy crab roe; and braised noodles with hairy crab roe. There is also a yellow wine pairing available with four flights.
The limited edition specials showcase eight new hairy crab dishes including xiao long bao with hairy crab coral; spring sprouts with hairy crab coral; braised rice cake and mushroom with hairy crab coral; and pan-fried grouper with winter melon and hairy crab coral, among others.
When: October 17 to November 24
How much: Six-course tasting menu HK$1,488 per person; Yellow wine pairing HK$588 per person; Seasonal dish prices range from HK$98 to HK$738
2. Bifteck
Above Hairy crab meat with ginger ponzu jelly and tofu puree (Source: Bifteck)
Hairy crab meat with ginger ponzu jelly and tofu puree (Source: Bifteck)
1 / 1
What: The Crabe à Mitaine du Bifteck is a five-course menu that features hairy crab in less traditional ways. Starting with hairy crab meat and ginger ponzu jelly with Otokomae tofu puree and Hokkaido uni, the menu continues to surprise with hairy crab meat chawanmushi and hairy crab soup udon, followed by the main course of hairy crab risotto with French pigeon or grouper. The menu finishes with a heat-reducing ginger-poached pear dessert. A four-glass wine pairing is also available.
When: From October 1 onwards
How much: HK$880 per person; Wine pairing HK$380 per person
Bifteck, 23/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2246 8805
3. Yong Fu
Above (Source: Yong Fu)
(Source: Yong Fu)
1 / 1
What: For the first time, Yong Fu is extending its Ningbo cuisine to include a series of seasonal hairy crab dishes. The dishes will give hairy crab lovers something a little different to try this year with the likes of sorghum liquor marinated raw hairy crab, baked minced pork with hairy crab, grilled hairy crab with taro with cured pork, and a large sharing dish of dry fish noodles with hairy crab.
When: From mid-October onwards
How much: Dish prices range from HK$298 to HK$3,980
Yong Fu, Shop 2, G/F&1/F, Golden Star Building, 20-24 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2881 7899
4. Hong Kong Cuisine
Above Shanghainese pork dumplings with hairy crab roe (Source: Hong Kong Cuisine)
Above Baked crab shell with crab meat and roe (Source: Hong Kong Cuisine)
Shanghainese pork dumplings with hairy crab roe (Source: Hong Kong Cuisine)
1 / 2
What: Hong Kong Cuisine has sourced hairy crabs from Suzhou, making use of the prized seafood in dishes such as deep-fried tofu puff stuffed with hairy crab roe; steamed Shanghainese pork dumplings with hairy crab roe; baked crab shell stuffed with crab meat and hairy crab roe; and a larger dish of braised deboned carp head with hairy crab roe made for sharing.
When: From October onwards
How much: Price ranges from HK$160 to HK$580
Hong Kong Cuisine, 1/F, Elegance Court, 2-4 Tsoi Tak Street, Happy Valley, Hong Kong; +852 2893 3788
5. The Legacy House
Above Braised rice with fish maw and hairy crab cream (Source: The Legacy House)
Braised rice with fish maw and hairy crab cream (Source: The Legacy House)
1 / 1
What: Sourcing from Lake Tai (Taihu) in Mainland China, The Legacy House utilises the hairy crabs in a selection of Cantonese dishes as well as a six-course set menu. The dishes include the classic hairy crab steamed in ginger and herb broth as well as Shanghainese pork dumplings with hairy crab cream; braised rice with fish maw and hairy crab cream; tofu with scallops with hairy crab cream; green bean noodles with hairy crab paste and more. For an extra dose of extravagance, the restaurant is also offering the option to add Alba white truffles to all hairy crab dishes for an additional fee.
When: From October onwards
How much: Set menu HK$2,680 per person; Dish prices range from HK$160 to HK$2,880
The Legacy House
Chinese
|
$ $ $ $
5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
6. One Harbour Road
Above Hairy crab menu (Source: One Harbour Road)
Hairy crab menu (Source: One Harbour Road)
1 / 1
What: For hairy crab season, One Harbour Road is offering a set menu option as well as a range of dishes. Sample dishes such as deep-fried cuttlefish and shrimp mousse toast with pork, water chestnuts, and hairy crab sauce along with yam noodles in fish broth and hairy crab sauce, before cooling off with a perilla leaf and ginger tea jelly. Guests may also choose to pair the set menu with a four-glass beverage pairing, with an option for Champagne.
When: From October 5 to December 20
How much: HK$1,088 per person; Beverage pairing HK$488 (with Champagne HK$598); Dish prices range from HK$80 to HK$888
One Harbour Road
Chinese
|
$ $ $ $
7/F-8/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
7. Chinesology
Above Seasonal crab marinated in 15-years Hua Diao (Source: Chinesology)
Above Furong crab claws (Source: Chinesology)
Seasonal crab marinated in 15-years Hua Diao (Source: Chinesology)
1 / 2
What: Chinesology has launched a ten-course tasting menu featuring four different types of seasonal crabs including the prized hairy crab along with Alaskan, blue and mud crabs. The menu also showcases multiple cooking methods to enjoy the crab including chilled, marinated, stewed, baked and stir-fried. Highlights include seasonal hairy crab marinated in a 15-year Hua Diao wine; furong crab claws which make use of mud and hairy crabs; and a creative Alaskan crab meat jelly, among other dishes. Guests may also wish to upgrade to a premium pairing of Hua Diao cocktails.
When: September 5 to October 31 (minimum two people with 48-hours advance booking required)
How much: Autumn seasonal crab menu HK$1,888 per person; Hua Diao cocktail pairing HK$328 per person
Chinesology, Shop 3101-3107, One International Finance Centre, Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 6809 2299
8. Niccolo Room at The Murray
Above Hairy crab roe with seasonal vegetables (Source: Niccolo Room)
Above Shanghainese hairy crab jazz dinner (Source: Niccolo Room)
Hairy crab roe with seasonal vegetables (Source: Niccolo Room)
1 / 2
What: The Niccolo Room at The Murray, Hong Kong is pairing an eight-course Shanghainese hairy crab dinner menu with Shanghai-style live jazz performances. Available for four nights only, guests can enjoy seasonal delights including steamed fresh hairy crab, deep-fried crab shell stuffed with hairy crab roe, braised hairy crab roe with bamboo pith and seasonal vegetables. A Chinese Hua Diao wine pairing option is also available with four wines such as Nuer Hong and Hua Diao wine as well as unlimited servings of house wine, beer and soft drinks.
When: October 14, 16, 21 and 30 at 7pm to 10pm
How much: HK$888 per person; Beverage package HK$388 per person
Niccolo Room, 25/F, The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3141 8888
9. Ying Jee Club
Above Seafood dumpling with hairy crab coral and caviar (Source: Ying Jee Club)
Seafood dumpling with hairy crab coral and caviar (Source: Ying Jee Club)
1 / 1
What: This season, Ying Jee Club is offering an eight-course hairy crab set menu as well as a seasonal menu with hairy crab-inspired recommendations. The degustation menu features steamed whole hairy crab from Yangcheng Lake, along with other delicacies such as hairy crab coral with bean curd stuffed with imperial bird’s nest, sautéed lobster with hairy crab coral and vegetables, and noodles with hairy crab coral in bouillon.
Guests can choose from male and female crabs based on their preference, though advance pre-order (at least half a day) is required. Meanwhile, a la carte seasonal options include sautéed leopard coral garoupa with vegetables and hairy crab coral and steamed seafood dumplings with hairy crab coral and caviar.
When: October 1 to November 30
How much: Hairy crab degustation menu HK$2,080 per person; A la carte dish prices range from HK$320 to HK$1,080
Ying Jee Club
Cantonese
|
$ $ $ $
Shop G05, 107-108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
Topics
A storyteller by day and a first-class food devourer by night, Fontaine is the Regional Dining Editor at Tatler Asia, overseeing dining content across all regions and shaping the brand’s editorial voice on food, chefs and culinary culture.
She is also Content Lead for Tatler Best and Co-jury Head for Tatler Best Hong Kong and Macau, guiding the awards’ editorial direction and evaluation process. With over a decade in the lifestyle and media industry spanning London and Hong Kong, she brings a cross-regional perspective to the table.
Follow her on Instagram at @fontimes.
