Description
A famous Southeast Asian seafood dish featuring fresh crab cooked in a rich, sweet, savory, and mildly spicy tomato-chili sauce. This iconic Singaporean favorite is known for its thick, glossy gravy and is traditionally served with fluffy mantou buns for dipping.
Ingredients
🛒 Ingredients (serves 2–3):
For the Crab:
2 large mud crabs (about 2–3 lbs total), cleaned and cut into pieces
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
For the Sauce:
3 tablespoons chili paste or sambal oelek
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cup chicken stock or water
For Thickening & Finish:
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 green onions, chopped
Optional:
Fresh red chilies for extra heat
Cilantro for garnish
Steamed or fried mantou buns for serving
Instructions
📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Crab
Clean and chop the crab into manageable pieces. Crack the claws slightly so the sauce can seep in. Set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Heat oil in a large wok or deep pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger, sauté until fragrant.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Stir in chili paste, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes fragrant and slightly thickened.
Step 4: Cook the Crab
Add the crab pieces to the wok and toss to coat in the sauce. Pour in the chicken stock, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until the crab is fully cooked.
Step 5: Thicken the Sauce
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
Step 6: Add Eggs
Slowly drizzle in the beaten eggs while stirring gently to create silky egg ribbons in the sauce.
Step 7: Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle chopped green onions and optional chilies or cilantro on top. Serve hot with mantou buns for dipping.
Notes
- Crab Choice: Mud crab is traditional, but Dungeness or blue crab can be used as alternatives.
- Spice Level: Adjust chili paste to control heat the dish should be more sweet and savory than spicy.
- No Fresh Crab?: You can use pre-cooked crab, but fresh gives the best flavor.
- Serving Tip: Provide finger bowls or gloves this dish is deliciously messy!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Seafood
- Method: Stir-fry / Simmered
- Cuisine: Singaporean