Singapore's Favourite Dish : Chilli Crab

Singapore's Favourite Dish : Chilli Crab 

Description: Chilli crab is one of Singapore's favourite dishes. Follow us as we go on a trip to discover the wonders of the dish.

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Look into Why Chilli Crab Will Continue to be Singapore’s Favourite Dish 

Reported by Rohani

Mention Chilli Crab and everyone's mouth starts to water. With the exception of those with allergies, no one should ever miss out on the experience of devouring a plate of Chilli Crab.

This made in Singapore dish has been a regular choice for families when celebrating special occasions. Restaurants and eateries dish out special offers of Chilli Crab just recently in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Siti Marshitah, 50, mother of three young adults said, “We love it because it’s delicious”. Many share her sentiments.

The question is, what makes it taste so good?

What goes into making the dish is nothing special. One might even call the method and ingredients primitive.  The main ingredients are actually just Chilli and Tomato sauce. These common dipping sauces can be found in any Singaporean’s home.

No fancy equipment is needed- just a wok and a ladle.

So what makes it so special?

It might not be the dish but instead the company you share the experience with.  You mark new milestones in your relationship with family and friends while enjoying that plate of Chilli Crab.

The Low-down on Chilli Crab
Reported by Farahdilla 

Chilli crab is a seafood dish originating from Singapore.

Created in 1950 by Singaporean chef, Madam Cher Yam Tian and her husband, Mr Lim Choon Ngee, chilli crab is actually not as spicy as it sounds.

The couple owns Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant located on Upper East Coast Road.

Chilli crabs are commonly served with breads such as steamed or fried mantou (Chinese buns), French loaf or toasted sliced bread, to mop up the thick, savoury sauce.

Plain white rice may also be eaten with chilli crab.

Flower crabs can be used for this dish but mud crabs are more commonly preferred due to their size and their sweet flesh.

Female mud crabs are slightly more expensive than the male ones, ranging from $33 to $38 per kilogram.

Mud crabs were traditionally caught by using long rods to hook them out of their burrows in the mangroves.

Nowadays, crab traps such as the Bento Trap and Cage Trap are used instead. Source

In search of Chilli Crabs
Reported by Gwen

On 11th May 2012, Rohani, Farah and I went in search of Chilli Crab, one of Singapore’s favourite dishes in Tampines.

We found a few restaurants selling Chilli Crabs in Tampines Avenue 2 and decided to interview the chef from Warong Kim Teh House as it was highly recommended by the residents staying in the area.

After settling down and getting ourselves ready for the interview, we approached one of the staff working at Warong Kim. She was very helpful and we managed to interview the chef, Mr Kng after we explained our purpose there.

Mr Kng shared with us his experience at Warong Kim and the ingredients that go into the making of Chilli Crabs. He also allowed us into the kitchen to video the entire cooking process of the Chilli Crabs. It was a rare opportunity to see the entire cleaning, chopping, cooking and serving process.

We interviewed some customers who were at Warong Kim for Chilli Crabs before calling it a day.

Location of Warong Kim's Teh House


 
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Here's the recipe so, what are you waiting for?

Reported by Farahdilla

    

                 

• 1 lb (450g) mud crabs or soft shelled crabs
• 4 tbsp plain flour if using soft shelled crabs
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil*
• 8 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 8 fresh red chilli, roughly chopped
• 1 egg
• 2 spring onions (scallions), cut into finger length
• 1 tsp freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice
• 1 small bunch coriander plant (cilantro)

*For soft-shelled crabs, oil for deep frying 
Source

Getting to know your Mud Crab
Reported by Farahdilla

Mud Crab is also known as Mangrove Crab, Muddy and Black Crab.

They are large with smooth, broad carapace. 

On each side of their eyes you can find 9 even sized teeth.  

Their two hind legs are flattened for swimming.  

Mud Crabs have colours varying from very dark brown to mottled green.
  

The other, generally smaller form, has a deeper body and is reddish brown. Source

Ever wonder how to tell the difference between a male and a female Mud Crab?

Reported by Farahdilla

As you can see, the male (top) has a "V" flap on the bottom of their shell while the female (bottom) has a more rounded flap. Source

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