The hairy crab, or the Chinese mitten crab as it is officially known, is a delicacy beloved by many in Hong Kong. Ones sourced from Yangcheng Lake are supposed to be particularly delicious as they have sweeter meat. It is known to ready for consumption in autumn, specifically in October and November, when you can find people across the city seeking it out in restaurants or cooking it at home. Here are our top 10 places to indulge in hairy crab this fall season.
The Legacy House — Tsim Sha Tsui
Rosewood is known for its incredible dining options and The Legacy House, their take on Chinese and Shunde cuisines, is the same. This October, they are launching their seasonal hairy crab menu created by Executive Chef Li Chi-Wai. Combining traditional Cantonese cooking techniques and recipes with a bit of zing, such as their Braised Green Bean Noodles with Hairy Crab Paste which requires a two-day advance order. They also serve the OG delicacies such as Steamed Hairy Crab, Dumplings, Braised Rice with Fish Maw and Braised Tofu. Delight in them a la carte or in the six course set meal (HKD2,680), while enjoying the scenic view of Victoria Harbour.
Level Five, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui / +852 3891 8732
Tze Yuet Heen — Tseung Kwan O
This Cantonese restaurant in Crown Plaza, Kowloon East is known for scrumptious dim sum and other authentic Chinese dishes. This fall, they are offering a special Hairy Crab Feast which will surely leave all crab lovers satisfied. The dishes included Baked hairy crab shell stuffed with crabmeat and onion, Braised fish maw soup, Sautéed pea shoot with crabmeat and crab roe, Fried rice with crab roe and ginger in casserole and of course, the signature hairy crab (three pieces for each person) which can be had steamed or steamed with chrysanthemum. Pro tip: head over on a weekday for a better price!
2/F, 3 Tong Tak Street, Tseung Kwan O / +852 3983 0688
The Murray — Central
For just four days this October, The Murray is bringing to you Shanghainese Hairy Crab Jazz Dinner, a delightful dinner accompanied by the live performance of Chinese Jazz music. So grab some friends to enjoy this evening, costing only HK$880 per person, with wine pairing at HK$388. You can expect favourites such as Deep-fried Crab Shell, Braised Birds Nest Soup, Drunken Pigeon and Friend Rice. They also have two pieces of the succulent steamed fresh Hairy Crab. For wine enthusiasts, it also includes four types of Hua Diao wine pairings.
The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central / +852 3141 8888
Ying Jee Club — Central
Executive Chef Siu Hin-chi is back with not one, but two seasonal menus Hairy Crab Degustation Set Menu and Seasonal Recommendation Menu to pamper crab lovers. This seven course extravaganza has the Steamed Whole Hairy Crab as the highlight. You can choose between a male (HK$2,080) and female (HK$2,580) crab. You will also find other luxuries such as Wagyu Beef and Imperial Bird’s Nest, amongst other traditional recipes. You can’t miss the dessert platter which has both cold and hot options. And if you’re not able to commit to the entire menu, fear not – there are tons of a la carte options too!
Shop G05, 107 & 108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central / +852 2801 6882
NaBe Naruto — Mong Kok
On a budget? This Japanese hotpot restaurant offers 2 Hours All You Can Eat Hairy Crab for just HK$670! Until the end of October, they are offering customers a taste of not just their unlimited hairy crabs but also fresh French oysters. You can also add an unlimited amount of instant sashimi, Japanese tempura, appetizers, salads etc. It also comes with a free flow of traditional rice wine and beer and soda. So grab a friend and make your booking fast, because this awesome deal is not going to be around much longer!
Room 3B, 3rd Floor, Deil2, No. 1A-1L, Tung Choi Street, Mong Kok / +852 9190 9322
Wait Wait Hea — Kowloon City
Another great unlimited crab options is WaitWaitHea in Kowloon City. This Taiwanese spot is offering a whole smorgasbord of crab dishes including unlimited Male hairy crabs, crab dumplings, dumplings with crab flour, steamed crab porridge, spicy chicken pot with crab oil, Taiwanese sausage and crab flour glutinous rice, crab flour Penghu flower balls, crab flour fried soup balls and Braised Pork with Crab Powder. WOW. And that’s not all, the HK$448 per person price also includes desserts, teas and boba. So make sure you’re hungry when you head over to enjoy this meal. P.S. there are extra goodies if you go in a group of two or four.
G/F, 41 Fuk Lo Tsun Road, Kowloon City / +852 2383 1766
Fat Kee Crab — Online
With crab in its name, you know this is the PERFECT place to pick up crabs from. Even you’re not looking to spend a lot and have a whole meal at a fancy restaurant, you can still enjoy the hairy crabs in the comfort of your home. Across their two shops in Tsuen Wan and Yuen Long, you can buy this super creamy, super delicious crab which comes with some seasoning too. So whether it’s for just you, or a group of your friends and family, all you need to do is steam up your crab, and it’s a party!
Shop 230, Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan / +852 2614 6155
Kwan Cheuk Heen — North Point
For a dinner with a view, head over to the Harbour Grand and experience the delights of the Hairy Crab at Kwan Cheuk Heen. This October, to celebrate the hairy crab, they are offering a set menu for just HK$1,753 for two. The menu includes a Steamed Jiangsu Hairy Crab to satisfy your craving as well as other hairy crab delights such as Braised Bird’s Nest Soup with Crab Butter, Braised 8-Head Abalone with Mushroom for you to enjoy the sweet flesh and most importantly the rich and creamy orange roe of the hairy crab.
5/F. (Minor Portion) , Harbour Grand Hong Kong, 23 Oil St, North Point/ +852 2121 2691
Ming Court — Mong Kok
Ming Court, the MICHELIN-starred Cantonese restaurant at the Cordis Hong Kong has a full new menu to satisfy all your hairy crab cravings. The buttery, flavourful goodness is presented in SIX different dishes by Executive Chef Li Yuet Faat and his team (HK$1,338 per person). Begin the feast with the steamed dumpling which features the Shanghainese hairy crab delight, awakening your tastebuds for the meal ahead. The other courses include a soup, stir fried rice, and a wok-fried dish, each featuring the crab. And of course, the star of the show, the Steamed Whole Hairy Crab which showcases the meat beautifully! Their six-course Hairy Crab Degustation Menu is available from 1st October to 30th November, so be sure to make your booking!
Level 6, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai St, Mong Kok | +852 3552 3300
Loong Yuen Cantonese Restaurant — Tsim Sha Tsui
The Cantonese restaurant at Holiday Inn, Loong Yuen, has created a menu surrounding the highly limited delicacy, the hairy crab! In October and November, for $583 per person, you can enjoy Chef Bun’s signature Steamed Whole Hairy Crab in Perilla Leaf, Deep-fried Hairy Crab with Salted Egg Yolks and more. Grab your friends and family, and enjoy the dishes in the stunning Chinese architecture. You will be sure to dig your pincers into this delicious meal!
50 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon / +852 2315 1006
FAQ about hairy crabs in Hong Kong
What is so special about hairy crabs?
This Chinese delicacy is known for its sweet meat and creamy and buttery golden roe, which is only available for two months of the year. This limited supply makes it coveted and therefore expensive.
When is hairy crab season?
Fall season, specifically the ninth and tenth lunar months are known to be Hairy Crab season.
Where to eat the best hairy crab in Hong Kong?
You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants on the list but Ying Jee Club is in our opinion, the best.
Header image credits: Ming Court
Add comment