Best Chilli Crab in Singapore

Chilli crab in Singapore: a guide for visitors

Chilli crab in Singapore is one of the country's best-known dishes. A whole crab is stir-fried, then cooked in a thick sauce of tomato, chilli and egg. The sauce is sweet, savoury and only mildly spicy. It is a messy meal that is best shared with friends or family.

What to expect from the dish

Most restaurants use mud crabs, which have large claws and sweet, firm meat. The sauce is the star. Cooks thicken it with beaten egg, so soft ribbons of egg run through it. Order mantou with your crab. These are small Chinese buns, served fried or steamed, for mopping up the sauce.

The crab comes in its shell, cut into pieces. Expect to use your hands. Many restaurants provide crab crackers, bibs or gloves.

Other crab styles to try

• Black pepper crab: fried with plenty of black pepper. It is drier and more peppery than chilli crab.
• Salted egg crab: coated in a rich sauce made with salted egg yolk.
• Crab bee hoon: crab served with thin rice noodles, either fried or in a milky broth.

How ordering and pricing work

Crab is sold by weight, not by the plate. Menus often show a price per kilogram, or say "market price". This changes with the season and supply.

1. Ask the price per kilogram and the size of the crab before you order.
2. Choose the size. One crab of about a kilogram usually feeds two people, with a few other dishes.
3. Add buns and sides. Fried rice, cereal prawns and stir-fried greens go well with crab.
4. Check the extras. Wet towels, peanuts and pickles placed on the table may be added to your bill. Ask the staff to take them away if you do not want them.

As a rough guide, one crab with buns and a few sides can cost around S$80 to S$150 for two people at a seafood restaurant. Larger crabs cost more. Prices change, so confirm before you order. Most restaurants also add a service charge and GST.

Where to eat chilli crab

Jumbo Seafood (Riverside Point) is a seafood restaurant on the Singapore River, in the Marina Bay & CBD area. It is a short walk from Clarke Quay. You can pair dinner with a Singapore River Cruise.

Our Chilli Crab & Seafood category has more seafood restaurants around the island, including:

• Palm Beach Seafood in the Marina Bay & CBD area.
• Long Beach Seafood (Dempsey) in the Dempsey, Tanglin & Holland area.
• Roland Restaurant in the Katong & Joo Chiat area.
• Seafood Paradise in the HarbourFront area.

Zi char eateries cook crab too. Zi char means "cook and fry". These are casual Chinese restaurants with long menus of shared dishes. See our Zi Char list.

Tips for a good crab dinner

• Book ahead for dinner, especially at weekends and for riverside tables.
• Wear clothes you do not mind staining. The sauce splashes.
• Go as a group. Crab is best shared, and a group can try more dishes.
• Mention allergies. Tell the staff about any shellfish or egg allergy before you order.
• Ask for more buns. The sauce is often the best part, so do not let it go to waste.

For more reading, visit the Chilli Crab & Seafood section of our blog. You can also see other local classics on our Must-try dishes page.

FAQs about chilli crab

Is chilli crab very spicy?

Not usually. The sauce is more sweet and tangy than hot. Most people who enjoy mild spice find it easy to eat.

How much is chilli crab in Singapore?

Crab is priced by weight. A meal for two with one crab and sides often costs around S$80 to S$150. Prices change with the season.

What do you eat with chilli crab?

Mantou, fried or steamed buns, are the classic partner for the sauce. Fried rice and stir-fried greens are popular too.

What is the difference between chilli crab and black pepper crab?

Chilli crab comes in a wet, sweet tomato and chilli sauce. Black pepper crab is drier and coated in a strong, peppery sauce.

Do I need to book a table?

It is a good idea for dinner, especially at weekends. Popular riverside and seafront restaurants can fill up early.