And just like that, hairy crab season is upon us once more. Also known as mitten crab, the adored sea critter is named after its fuzzy claws and loved for its delicate, sweet flesh and creamy orange roe. The hairy crab’s limited availability – typically just a brief 1-2 month stint – only heightens its allure. In its purest form, hairy crab is best enjoyed steamed and served with black vinegar and ginger to help enhance the sweetness of the meat, while also traditionally served with ginger tea to counteract the inherent ‘cooling’ nature of the crab.
Ying Jee Club
A 7-course menu dedicated to hairy crab will be available at Ying Jee Club, with dishes ranging from a traditionally prepared steamed hairy crab and braised cabbage with crab meat to a lavish steamed seafood dumpling stuffed with hairy crab roe, scallop and shrimp and topped with caviar. Refreshing chilled appetisers, including a crispy eel with yuzu honey, marinated pigeon with “hua diao”, marinated jellyfish and honey glazed barbecue pork whet the palette, while hot and cold desserts neatly round off the meal. The 7-course menu is HK$1,880 per person.
When: Until the end of November
Where: Shop G05, 107 & 108, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road Central; yingjeeclub.hk
Ming Court
Michelin-starred Ming Court elevates its hairy crab menu with the addition of bird’s nest, lobster and caviar, while a thoughtful, complimentary tea pairing enhances the indulgent experience. From the 6-course tasting menu, highlights include the hairy crab bird’s nest soup, which combines two delicacies in one comforting, nourishing soup, while the lobster with crab roe and rice crisp offer a delightful contrast between the creamy egg white and crab roe, tender lobster meat and a crunchy rice cracker. The 6-course menu is available at HK$1,288 per person.
When: Until November 28
Where: Level 6, 555 Shanghai Street Cordis, Mong Kok; cordishotels.com
10 Shanghai
Enjoy the creamy, umami flavours of golden crab roe across a plethora of innovative dishes at 10 Shanghai. Baked stuffed crab shell features the coveted roe alongside scallop and egg white, while comforting fried rice is made exceptional with the addition of hairy crab roe, river shrimps and crispy rice. The non-crustacean dishes also hold their own, with braised whole abalone with goose feet in abalone sauce featuring a 6-head South African abalone. Finish off the meal with a traditional Chinese dessert of glutinous dumpling in sweetened ginger soup to help warm and counteract the cooling effects of hairy crab. The set menu is available at HK$980 per person for a minimum of two people.
When: Until the end of November
Where: Shop 101, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay; 10-shanghai.com
Greater China Club
Enjoy a 9-course hairy crab extravaganza at Greater China Club. The hairy crabs are sourced from Jiangsu, known for the particularly delicate meat and unctuous, golden roe. The iconic crustacean is served across a plethora of innovative recipes, including the chilled hairy crab roe jelly, steamed beancurd with hairy crab roe in pumpkin sauce and steamed xiao long bao with hairy crab roe. Dishes are paired with the likes of 25-year vintage Huadiao wine, the lightly saccharine notes from the wine enhancing the sweetness of both crab meat and roe alike. The 9-course menu is HK$888 per person.
When: From November 1
Where: Shop A, 10/F, D2 Place One, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok; greaterchinaclub.com
The Legacy House
Indulge in The Legacy House’s hairy crab offerings presented by Executive Chef Li Chi-Wai. The wok-fried lion fish is a flavourful, textural delight, dowsed in hairy crab cream for a delightful, buttery finish. A carefully curated Hibiki whisky pairing is also available, the Japanese spirit complementing the new hairy crab dishes available. The 6-course hairy crab set menu is available at HK$2,680 per guest, while the intermediate Hibiki whisky is an additional HK$1,000 and the advanced Hibiki whisky experience is an additional HK$2,000.
When: Until December
Where: Level Five, Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; rosewoodhotels.com
Tsui Hang Village
Tsui Hang Village dishes up a comforting array of hairy crab offerings, from braised vegetables with hairy crab roe and hairy crab roe fried rice to crab meat with shredded tofu in thick soup. The establishment’s signature crispy roast pigeon is also a part of the set dinner, alongside traditionally steamed hairy crab to enjoy the crustacean it its untampered glory. The hairy crab set dinner is HK$678 per person.
When: Until December 19
Where: Tsui Hang Village outlets, including 22/F, 99 Percival St, Causeway Bay; miradining.com
Sushi Hakucho
Did someone say hairy crab and white truffle? Double up on the indulgence with Sushi Hakucho’s set menu spotlighting two of the most coveted, seasonal ingredients with innovative dishes by Chef Harada Makoto. In the ultimate umami bomb, Makato wraps succulent halibut with sea urchin and a house-made miso dressing made with hairy crab roe. The dish is topped with freshly shaved white truffle for an impressive amalgamation of creamy textures and delicate aromas. Chef Makato also incorporates elements of his Japanese expertise with a Kumamoto A5 wagyu dish, where Shanghai hairy crab roe miso and alba white truffle are paired with the melt-in-your-mouth type of beef. Guests can opt between three multiple-course ‘Omakase Menus’, ranging between HK$1,080 and HK$1,480.
When: From November 1 to the end of December
Where: G13, Harbour Pinnacle, 8 Minden Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; sushihakucho.com
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Carina FischerCredit
Lead image: courtesy of The Legacy House
