Hairy crab is back in season, but how do you find the crème de la crème from the countless dishes that are on offer? We've scoured the city for the five best hairy crab dishes in Hong Kong -- now all you have to do is roll up your sleeves!
Hairy crab meat with enoki mushroom at Tin Lung Heen
Every dish sounds like a winner on Tin Lung Heen's seasonal crab menu, but be sure not to miss the delectable baked crab shell filled with hairy crab meat and enoki mushroom.
Why we like it: The crab meat in this dish is freshly plucked and paired with delicate enoki mushrooms to offer a variety of tastes and textures, giving the best of both worlds.
Also try: Chef Paul Lau high recommends the double boiled sea couch soup with red dates, a nourishing soup prepared with interesting ingredients including sea cucumber, conpoy, deer sinew and mushrooms. The soup is said to balance the 'yin yang' effect on the body.
The hairy crab menu is available throughout the month of October 2012 and priced at HK$1,680 per person.
Tin Lung Heen, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2263 2270, www.ritzcarlton.com
Hairy crab with rice wine sauce at Shanghai Min
The master chefs at Shanghai Min have gone all out for the best time of the year. Offering an extensive menu featuring creative dishes, guests can enjoy traditional delicacies enhanced with a modern twist.
Why we like it: The standout dish on the menu is the steamed hairy crab with rice wine sauce, going for HK$110 a pop (minimum order of two pieces). The dish is prepared meticulously by steaming crabs with rice wine sauce, ginger and spring onion.
Also try: There are a lot of great dishes on the menu at Shanghai Min, another one of which is the fresh crab meat and fresh hairy crab cream soup. The dish features crab meat and bamboo fungus stir-friend in broth and blended with crab cream which is then thickened in a wok.
The celebratory hairy crab menu is available at Shanghai Min from 1 October to 15 December 2012.
Shanghai Min, 10/F, One Peking, 1 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2527 8899, www.xiaonanguo.com
Stewed prawns with hairy crab and roe at T'ang Court
T'ang Court is using seasonal hairy crab from the famous Yang Cheng Lake in Suzhou and combining them with unique cooking methods and tasty ingredients to delight crab lovers all over Hong Kong.
Why we like it: The combination of stewed prawns with Chinese kale, hairy crab meat and roe is both crunchy and creamy at the same time. Available during lunch and dinner, the dish is priced at HK$480.
Also try: To experience something totally new, give the Inaniwa noodles a shot. They are cooked with diced garoupa, scallops, hairy crab meat and roe to offer contrasting textures which will completely awaken your senses.
T'ang Court, The Langham Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2132 7898, www.hongkong.langhamhotels.com
Bird's nest with golden hairy crab roe at Cuisine Cuisine
The hairy crab menu at Cuisine Cuisine is enough to trump anybody's decision-making skills. There are so many tempting dishes on offer, it is hard to choose just one.
Why we like it: The bird's nest and egg white stuffed in bamboo piths braised on hairy crab coral, filled with golden hairy crab roe (HK$380 for four pieces) not only boasts a beautiful presentation but a delicious taste.
Also try: Other outstanding dishes at the restaurant include sauteed scallops and prawns with hairy crab coral and assorted mushrooms, which is not to be missed.
The hairy crab dishes are available at Cuisine Cuisine until the end of October 2012.
Cuisine Cuisine, 3101, Podium Level 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2393 3933, www.cuisinecuisine.hk
Braised lobster with hairy crab roe at Above & Beyond
Hotel ICON is home to Chinese restaurant Above & Beyond, which will be serving hairy crab from 15 October to 9 December 2012.
Why we like it: The braised lobster with hairy crab roe served on top of crispy silverfish is the ultimate seafood feast (HK$598).
Also try: Technically not a hairy crab dish, don't miss the unbelievably delicious steamed coral crab with glutinous rice, prepared by executive chef Joseph Tse. A brilliant sight to behold, this steamed rice is tender, chewy, tasty and filled with chunks of crab meat, making it a must-order any time you are at Above & Beyond.
Above & Beyond, Hotel ICON, Level 28, No. 17, Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3400 1318, www.hotel-icon.com
