Where to eat hairy crab in Hong Kong right now

At Sushiyoshi, the first branch of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant outside Japan, chef-owner Nakanoue Hiroki is back and showcasing his latest creation: a seasonal hairy crab omakase menu. This 15-course offering includes both signature dishes and seven delightful seasonal creations. Indulge in the flavourful combination of hairy crab roe soba with walnut sauce and crab roe served with crab vinegar and crab stock with kombu-marinated cucumber. There's also the warming daikon chawanmushi with a savoury hairy crab broth. In addition to the hairy crab dishes, you can savour a variety of sushi, such as the melt-in-your-mouth hairy crab sushi with toro and Hokkaido sea urchin, where the traditional sushi rice is replaced with succulent hairy crab meat. 

Visit The Merchants from October 23 to December 27 to try out refined hairy crab dishes that hail from regions like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. During the promotional period, the restaurant offers various à la carte options featuring this seasonal delicacy, such as stir-fried crab roe with sesame bread pockets ($1,288); crab roe with noodles ($378 per bowl); and claypot rice topped with hairy crab roe ($1,288). If you’re looking to dine like a king, The Merchants’ grand hairy crab feast tasting menu ($2,280 per person) should not be missed. Diners will get to enjoy an extensive roster of hairy crab dishes, with light dishes like braised fish maw soup with hairy crab or hairy crab roe with tofu; and entrees such as stir-fried hairy crab roe with Mandarin fish slices, and steamed whole hairy crabs.

Head to Duddell’s from October 30 until December 8 to taste executive chef Chan Yau-leung’s limited-edition specials and an eight-course tasting menu featuring hairy crabs farmed from Jiangsu. Indulge in a total of eight new hairy crab dishes like braised noodles with crab roe ($228 per person), xiao long bao stuffed with hairy crab roe ($108 per person), pan-fried shrimp toast with hairy crab roe ($388 per person), and more. As for the eight-course tasting menu ($1,888 per person), look out for the braised noodles with hairy crab roe in chicken soup, braised imperial bird’s nest with minced chicken, and other delectable plates. If you’re still not satisfied, add on more orders of steamed hairy crab ($528 per 225g) to your feast.

Indulge in decadent Shanghainese hairy crab with Jiangsu Club’s exclusive dishes. This autumn, the Chinese restaurant presents diners with 16 seasonal dishes, all of which include hairy crab as a component. Savour culinary creations like baguettes topped with crab meat and roe ($988); pan-fried rice rolls with caviar and hairy crab ($780); or try out the restaurant’s perineal favourites such as homemade stewed meatballs with crab roe ($1,080). Jiangsu Club is also currently offering a hairy crab seasonal menu ($1,880 per person), where diners can enjoy a select range of the restaurant’s signature dishes, along with more hairy crab specials.

Savour autumnal flavours at Mott 32 with their time-limited hairy crab menu, available from November 1 to December 12. Executive chef Man-sing Lee has crafted a line-up of twelve dishes which showcase hairy crabs in their full glory.  Be sure to try out dishes like hairy crab roe and minced pork Shanghainese soup dumpling, deep-fried glutinous rice dumpling with hairy crab roe and sesame, or even inventive creations like baked cauliflower with crab roe. 

Step into The Chinese Library at Tai Kwun to munch on a curated selection of a la carte hairy crab dishes created by chef Junno Li. Slurp up the rich and creamy crab roe udon ($198) or tuck into a tender braised fish maw with crab roe ($468). Can’t stomach a whole meal? The Chinese Library also provides smaller bites like crab roe with almond rolls ($128), as well as  crab-stuffed wonton in consommé ($98). But if you prefer to enjoy your hairy crabs plain and simple, this modern Chinese restaurant will also provide steamed hairy crabs served alongside traditional ginger tea.

Admire the gorgeous view of Victoria Harbour as you feast upon Hutong’s Northern Chinese-inspired hairy crab creations. If you can handle your spice, don’t miss out on the Hunan-style crab leg with chopped chillies ($328); otherwise, opt for alternative dishes such as baked crab meat with roe and cheese ($268), and hairy crab meat and roe soup ($248). Be sure to also order other plates like pan-fried scallop with crab roe sauce and crispy rice crackers ($328), as well as crab meat fried rice with sakura shrimp and crab roe ($298 per portion).

Visit Cuisine Cuisine’s IFC location to enjoy the restaurant’s first-ever golden autumn hairy crab feast ($1,688 per person). The menu is full of exquisite dishes that incorporate hairy crabs, such as braised Australian lobster with crab roe; stir-fried egg white with crab roe; and of course, premium steamed hairy crabs. Cuisine Cuisine has also selected a range of premium wines and spirits (+$268 per person) to pair with the indulgent seasonal menu,  which consist of Mortlach 12-year single malt whisky, Chateau Minuty prestige rosé, as well as Xiang Heng 25-year hua diao wine.

This autumn, Cantonese restaurant Tsui Hang Village presents a sophisticated hairy crab feast (from $888 and up) for diners to try out. In addition to providing traditional fare such as crab roe xiao long bao and steamed crab, Tsui Hang Village’s hairy crab menu also includes inventive dishes like balsamic vinegar crab roe fish maw spring rolls. Alternatively, there is also the option to enjoy a hairy crab and crispy pigeon set (from $588 and up); which includes a crispy roasted pigeon and another Cantonese classics, as well as plenty of crab-incorporated plates like crab and scallop fried rice or braised bean sprouts with hairy crab.

Rosewood Hong Kong’s Chinese restaurant The Legacy House ushers in the hairy crab season with a menu created by Chinese executive chef Li Chi-wai. Available from mid-October until the end of the season, diners can enjoy premium crabs sourced from Lake Tai in China, known for their sweet flavour and succulent texture. These coveted hairy crabs will be featured in premium Chinese dishes including whole hairy crab steamed in a ginger and herb broth (eight taels at market price), steamed Shanghainese pork dumplings ($90 per piece), braised clay pot rice with fish maw and hairy crab cream ($380 per person), and green bean noodles with hairy crab paste ($2,880; requires a two-day advance order). Diners can order the hairy crab dishes a la carte, or select the six-course menu ($2,680 per guest). Alternatively, The Legacy House also offers a seven-course menu ($2,680 per person) full of creative crab-infused creations. As for the tipples, guests can select between Gu Yue Long Shan’s Long Wen 15-year hua diao wine at $158 per glass and $1,580 per bottle, or Diao Yu Tai 20-year hua diao Wine at $3,280 per bottle to pair with their crab feast.

In case you wanted an Italian twist to the autumnal delicacy, Pici will be offering reinvented Chinese flavours in their Pici Hairy Crab ($280) pasta. Hairy crab roe and meat will be tossed into a fragrant ginger and clam stock, along with garlic and Shaoxing wine, and combined with thick-cut pasta. This pasta dish will be available at all Pici locations from 6pm onwards from now until November 19, and is sure to be an indulgent treat for the season. During the  promotional period, Pici is also offering a fresh ginger gelato ($60) as a refreshing palate cleanser to end your meal with.