We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

What is Chili Crab?

Diane Goettel
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The next time you happen to be in Malaysia or Singapore, be sure to have chili crab, a local delicacy, for at least one meal. While there is some controversy over whether this seafood dish originated in Singapore or Malaysia, it is a wonderful culinary treat to be enjoyed in either location. It is a very popular item at most seafood restaurants in these countries.

Chili crab is made with hard-shell crabs which are cooked in a thick tomato sauce that is spiced with chilies. The chili oil in the dish makes this a special treat for diners who enjoy spicy dishes. The sauce actually serves as a sort of gravy and is generally served in generous amounts so that the crabs are at least partially submerged. Because of the size of this entree, chili crab is almost always served in a family-style fashion, meaning that the dish is meant to be enjoyed by everyone at the table.

Because chili crab has become a very popular dish in Southeast Asia, it has been adapted to appeal to many different palates. In some places, it is served with spices other than the traditional chilies. For example, chili crab may be prepared with turmeric, galangal, ginger, or a combination of these spices.

Although chili crab is traditionally a spicy dish, it is sometimes served as a sweet and sour dish. It is also possible to find this type of crab dish that is served with beaten eggs that are either mixed into the sauce or served with the crab. However, almost all variations on the theme of chili crab do include at least a touch of chilies or chili oil.

Because the sauce that the dish is served in is so delicious, it has become custom in some places to serve chili crab with mantou. Mantou are a kind of Chinese buns that are used to soak up the sauce. Some restaurants break with tradition and serve a sort of culinary fusion dish by serving the crab with slices of French bread instead of a side of mantou.

While Malaysia and Singapore may be the best places to have authentic chili crab, there are traditional restaurants outside of these countries where you can try the dish. Many large Western cities have at least one restaurant that serves such dishes from the region of Southeast Asia. In fact, some Western seafood restaurants have added this famous crab dish to their menus.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Diane Goettel
By Diane Goettel
In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. Over the course, she has edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter “Sapling,” and The Adirondack Review. Diane holds a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

Diane Goettel

Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane Goettel serves as the executive editor of Black...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.