updated on 29 October 2020
October marks the start of autumn in Hong Kong. The craze to enjoy hairy crabs during this season is like the equivalent of having pumpkin-spiced food and drinks for westerners – except the former is a delicacy, the latter isn’t really.
These Chinese mitten crabs are wildly popular in this city.
Even though I had my first few hairy crab experiences in Shanghai where I ate at a specialty restaurant as well as at my friend’s home, both experiences are incredibly worth trying in Hong Kong too.
Here are my tried-and-tested top picks from restaurant to home delivery:
Tien Heung Lau Restaurant
You might not see this restaurant published frequently on mainstream media but this is believed to be the holy grail spot for indulging in hairy crab dishes in Hong Kong.
Tien Heung Lau Restaurant 天香樓 is a longstanding restaurant that probably doesn’t care about chasing the stars nor getting publicity.
That said, their service is very attentive with warm hospitality that makes you feel at home.
I recommend to check out this restaurant with a local friend or at least be semi-fluent in Cantonese language for better communication.
Hangzhou food tend to taste light & refreshing. If you’re expecting/too used to very strong flavours, please manage your own expectations.
Enjoying hairy crab dishes at this Hangzhou cuisine restaurant has to be one of your must-try this season.
Be prepared to spend at least HK$1,200-HK$2,500 per person for a full course meal. (What we ordered are not all shown in this post).
Tip: You can order this with their handmade noodles too. Book in advance!
Tien Heung Lau Restaurant 天香樓
Address: G/F, Kiu Fung Building, 18C Austin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2366 2414
Prefer getting hands on and eating at the comfort of your own home or hotel? This is the best way to enjoy the highly prized crustaceans.
I’ve tried and tested hairy crabs from these vendors. They deliver right to your doorstep with everything you need to prepare hairy crabs at home:
Catch’ya Seafood
Popular for its fresh, live seafood with high standards of cleaning preparation, Catch’ya Seafood also supplies limited quantity of hairy crabs farmed in Hokkaido, Japan this season. It even comes with ginger tea which you should drink after eating hairy crabs.
While you’re at it, check out their various seafood menu if you’re planning to throw a feast at home.
Catch’ya Seafood 小貓釣魚海鮮速遞
Instagram: www.instagram.com/catchya.seafood
Order via WhatsApp: +852 6888 7640
Crabtastic
Rich, sweet, creamy hairy crab roe from the newcomer Crabtastic which you can easily order via WhatsApp. Highly recommend for those of you who are looking for value-for-money hairy crabs with extra roe.
CRABTASTIC 正宗太湖大閘蟹
Instagram: www.instagram.com/crabtastichk/
Order via WhatsApp: +852 9587 4992
Yick Fung Crab
Looking for big hairy crabs? Yick Fung Crab supplies female and male Chinese hairy crabs from 5 tael to 10.5 tael to impress you and your guests.
These hairy crabs in my photos are 6 tael each. They are already pretty big, meaty and full of roe. Can you imagine getting 10.5 tael hairy crabs? Decadent!
Yick Fung Crab 億豐行大閘蟹
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yickfungcrab
Order: https://form.jotform.com/202561738294460
Know a restaurant or vendor that should make it to this list? Email to hello@foodtravelbabe.com.
