Hairy Crab

Posted by wjml (1098 days ago)

Have you ever eat hairy crabs? What do you think of it?

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by Carmen K (1093 days ago)

HK specialty - usually imported from China around autumn. frankly i think there's tons better crabs, but it's a nice marker for the seasons. Supposed to have "cooling" properties as well. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-10/15/content_382732.htm

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by CambridgeFlunk (1090 days ago)

the male hairy crabs taste better than the females

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by wjml (1090 days ago)

Thanks.
It is said that there're eight tools can help eat the crab.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by MM55104 (1073 days ago)

Don't like em as very fidly and not much meat.
But if you buy em try and get the ones that are trussed up with string.
We wer given a box last year that weren't trussed. One of em kicked the lid off the sauspan and escaped. Had to then try and catch an angry crab who didn't want to go back, wihlst the other buggers were also trying to escape.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by balzac (1069 days ago)

i tried it once and loved it!

(I am based in Singapore)

Posted by Chris Malone (1005 days ago)

The females are always higher priced - the Chinese think they taste better. I haven't noticed the difference, but am not all that experienced

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by jbebeb (1005 days ago)

How long should I steam them for? Last time I stuck them on the leaf, put the dark syrup stuff on them & overcooked them!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Anita Dick (1005 days ago)

I think they are gross. It's not like you are eating a dungeoness crab or something: with hairy crabs you peel open the belly and...urgghh !

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by lianz (1002 days ago)

Cook them just till they change color become orange. Everytime i buy these crabs i have to clean them again especially their claws and hairs with toothbrush.I went to a hairy crab farm and they live in muddy ponds. Once i kept them in a box but forgot to put heavy things on top of it to avoid them crawling out, in the morning i lost few crabs, did some hunting around the house to find them.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by vodka7 (972 days ago)

your stories are hilarious =) when i buy crabs they're usually tied up. i only started eating them 2 years ago and now i love them! the best season for female is nov, and males dec-jan. i do suggest cleaning them with a toothbrush so u get the sand and mud out. the leaves are for steaming with the crab, which should be around 15-20 minutes. the bigger the crab, the longer you steam. the vinegar is for when you're actually eating the crab. mix ginger and brown sugar according to your taste. hope that helps =)

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by hkchoichoi (963 days ago)

I think the females are supposed to taste better because of the gooey egg part. i'm not a huge fan, but I eat them once when the season arrives...

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by Chi Ling (934 days ago)

I am a Chinese, but don't eat the crab, just know how to cook them.

Officially they are called mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). Hairs are mainly on legs. The best season is around September and October. Of course, you can get them earlier or later. There is a Chinese saying for this carb, "9 round and 10 sharp". It describes the shape of the flap under the abdomen. If the flap is round shape, it's a female. If it is triangular shape, a male. The saying means in September, female crab tastes best (before they invest all their energy or nutrient in eggs) while male tastes better in October (because they have their sperm - orange stuff- fully developed). The brown stuff is a vinegar, usually with ginger when you eat the crab.

Clean the crabs before steaming, don't untied them, otherwise, you will have a fight with them. Depend on their size, usually around 15-20 minutes. Remove the abodminal flap before eating because it has the gut content, but don't cut it before steaming, otherwise, the taste loses through the cut while steaming.

Hope this helps.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by balzac (934 days ago)

i was in HK a few weeks ago but couldn't find any place that served hairy crabs.

Any suggestions?

(I am based in Singapore)