How To Enjoy Crab Like A Local
Top on your list of things to do in Singapore would be to dine on crab. Let us show you how to enjoy this crustacean delight the local way, so you can stop casting sidelong looks at the next table and get the most out of this delicious experience!
Size matters
Most restaurants in Singapore use Sri Lankan mud crab, but always check with the waiter to be sure, as some of them also serve Alaskan king crabs, which are much larger in size and will cost a lot more!
The varieties and sizes of crab, of course, would depend on the number of people you’re dining with. When in doubt, start with a small order and add on if you feel like having more.
What’s Your Flava?
Chilli Crab: One of our key national dishes. You haven’t been to Singapore until you’ve tried it! The crab is stir-fried in a sweet and savoury sauce based in chilli, tomato and egg. It’s not as spicy as its name suggests, but you can certainly ask for less chilli if you’re worried about singeing your taste buds. Last but not least, don’t forget the mantous! These Chinese buns are deep fried until they’re crispy and golden brown on the outside, and fluffy and tender on the inside. They’re delicious when used to soak up the chili crab sauce.

Black Pepper Crab: Drier (and therefore less messy) than its famous cousin, black pepper crab is a hit, thanks to the earthy, peppery kick it delivers. Instead of a sauce, the crab is coated with black pepper, which more than amplifies the juicy flavour of the crab flesh.
Salted Egg Crab: Less known than the above two, but every bit as amazing. A rich egg yolk sauce built on curry, pepper, chilli and milk, the salted egg crab is salty, sweet and mildly spicy. What an addictive rush of flavours!

Other Essentials
Bib: Don’t make light of having to wear one around your neck – you’ll be glad you did! Depending on the type of crab you order, eating them may be a messy affair, with sauce splattering out of the shell whenever you crack one open. You don’t want stains on your shirt, do you?
Nutcracker: Use this to break through the tough shells, instead of your teeth. Nutcrackers are especially helpful in getting to hard-to-reach parts of the crab like the pincers, which contain generous portions of crab meat.

Rinsing Bowl: When it comes to dining on crab, it’s not a party until someone is eating with their hands. The thing is, nobody wants your saucy hands all over the table. Use the rinsing bowl – filled with water and lime, so you don’t have to worry about suds – before picking up your utensils to reach for other dishes. It’s only table manners!
Bon appétit!