A must-try Singapore dish - Chili Crab

The chilli crab is a favourite seafood dish in Singapore and has even been claimed as one of Singapore’s National Dish. 

Mud crabs are commonly used to cook this dish, stir-fried in a sweet and salty tomato and chilli based sauce. Contradictory to its name however, the meal is not very spicy. 

The chilli crab has been regarded as a must-try dish among tourists and locals alike, as part of the cultural experience of tasting local food. As part of the dining experience, diners are encouraged to eat the crabs by hand, though the process of consumption is a messy business and wet tissues are often provided at restaurants for this reason.

The video above is a local's guide on the consumption of the crabs and the appropriate etiquette for the consumption.

However, given the popularity and the amount of preparation required to prepare this meal, it is a pricey dish (around $45 on average) and not often consumed by locals, save on special occasions. 

Those who wish to taste local food and are budget often opt to consume cheaper alternatives such as Chicken Rice or Nasi Lemak.

The sauce of the dish has been thought to make up a large part of the excellent taste of the crab, so much so that there has been a demand for simply the sauce itself. 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilli_crab

- Posted by Hanyi Wong