16 November 2025
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For diners who seek out crustaceans at their seasonal best — sourced from the lakes and waterways of eastern China — the esteemed hairy crab is likely already familiar.
Yet, even well-informed enthusiasts may not always recall the finer geographic details, especially when the focus is on savoring these compact, deeply flavorful crabs. Their sweet, buttery roe and delicate milt often take center stage, leaving little room to ponder the nuances of where and how they are raised.
Many restaurants are quick to highlight that the most prized hairy crabs originate from Yangcheng Lake in Jiangsu Province, a body of water celebrated for its clarity and ideal conditions for aquaculture. Nearby Taihu Lake, one of China’s largest freshwater lakes, also produces excellent specimens that consistently earn high regard.
Chefs and service teams often underscore another key point: the distinction between the triangular-bellied males, which generally mature later in the season, and the round-bellied females, whose rich, abundant roe is especially sought after.
Regardless of preference, the appeal of hairy crab season lies in the experience itself. Whether diners choose the traditional preparation: steamed and paired with black vinegar and aged yellow wine; or explore more contemporary interpretations, these MICHELIN-recommended restaurants in Singapore offer a compelling introduction to the 2025 hairy crab season.
Summer Pavilion
One MICHELIN Star
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025
MICHELIN-Starred Cantonese restaurant Summer Pavilion sets the tone for the year’s hairy crab season with two à la carte specials. For indulgent lunch yum cha (though it is available during dinner too), there’s the dependably sumptuous steamed hairy crab meat and chicken dumpling for S$16++ a piece.
Those seeking the roe can turn to the braised superior bird’s nest, enriched with hairy crab’s golden richness (S$188++ per person), available for lunch and dinner for a limited time.
Summer Pavilion’s hairy crab menu is available from now until the season ends. For reservations, call +65 6434 5286 or email rc.sinrz.summerpavilion@ritzcarlton.com.
Summer Pavilion is located at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Level 3, 7 Raffles Avenue, 039799, Singapore.
Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (Paragon)
Selected
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025
It’s only the classics for Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (Paragon)’s selection of hairy crab fixings this season. Returning fan favorites include sharing platters like the braised seasonal vegetables and braised beancurd uplifted with dollops of luscious golden roe and shredded crab meat (both S$80++), though it is recommend to save some room for the individually portioned seasonal delights
(©Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (Paragon))
In addition to the hairy crab roe dry noodles (S$55++ per person), diners can enjoy it layered over steamed egg white (S$40++ per person) or as a rich topping on a savory “flour skin” made from green beans and finished with superior stock, ginger oil and pork lard for extra sheen (S$80++ per person).
Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (Paragon)’s hairy crab menu is available now for a limited time. For reservations, book online here, call +65 6732 7838 or email paragon@imperialtreasure.com.
Imperial Treasure Super Peking Duck (Paragon) is located at Paragon Shopping Centre, #05-42/45, 290 Orchard Road, 238859, Singapore.
Min Jiang at Dempsey
Selected
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025
MICHELIN-selected Cantonese-Sichuan restaurant Min Jiang at Dempsey ushers in hairy crab season with a range of novel à la carte items and returning crustacean-laden signatures across indulgent set menus.
This year, the restaurant offers a fittingly botanical ingredient in baby napa cabbage, also known as wa wa cai, to star alongside the seasonal bounty of Chinese mitten crabs in the poached wa wa cabbage with hairy crab roe and crab meat (S$68++) dine-in special. That doesn’t mean diners can’t go full luxury though, with the new braised abalone with hairy crab roe and crab meat with seasonal greens (S$48++ per person) sharing top billing.
Both the Hairy Crab Joy set menu (S$168++ per person) and Hairy Crab Supreme set menu (S$188++ per person) feature the classic steamed hairy crab with ginger rice wine as the star act. Those with an appetite can opt for the latter and additional dishes including the baby napa cabbage special along with the new egg fried rice with hairy crab, crab roe and crab meat.
Min Jiang at Dempsey’s hairy crab menu is available for a limited time only. For reservations, book online here, call +65 6774 0122 or email mjdempsey@goodwoodparkhotel.com.
Min Jiang at Dempsey is located at 7A & 7B Dempsey Road, 249684, Singapore.
Shang Palace
Selected
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025
The much-anticipated return of nature’s bounty from Jiangsu Province has made its way to Shang Palace, presenting an autumnal six-course menu amplified by a selection of innovative hairy crab treats.
The MICHELIN-selected restaurant’s showstopper of a hairy crab set menu pampers diners with five consecutive courses designed around hairy crab. The feast begins with an appetizer medley (think hairy crab sushi rolls, sautéed prawns tossed with truffle and hairy crab or cucumber rolls wrapped with chicken oil and crab flesh), before progressing into a pair of nourishing soups also topped with golden roe. Finally, the meal proceeds to its zenith with a fragrant baked lobster and hairy crab meat in shell with puff pastry, served to whet the appetite before the starring steamed hairy crab with ginger tea. At S$268++ per head, the set comes with a complimentary welcome bottle of eight-year Chinese yellow wine and a glass of bubbly.
Available as well are à la carte offerings like the sautéed lobster and winter melon topped with crab roe (S$68++ per person), which offers a charmingly mellow base against the umami-rich crustacean, or the sautéed king prawn with hairy crab roe made all the more indulgent with a smattering of briny caviar (S$38++ per portion). For something more casual, the new pan-fried eggplant stuffed with hairy crab roe accompanied by deep-fried toast offers a moreish crunch that’ll leave diners coming back for more.
Shang Palace’s hairy crab menu is available for a limited time only. For reservations, book online here, call +65 6213 4398 or email dining.sls@shangri-la.com.
Shang Palace is located at the Shangri-La Hotel, Lobby Level, 22 Orange Grove Road, 258350, Singapore.
Yan Ting
Selected
MICHELIN Guide 2025
Hairy crab season is almost always delectable at MICHELIN-selected Yan Ting, and this year’s line-up is no exception. For starters, purists can enjoy both the classic steamed hairy crab (S$148++ per piece) and an elevated Shanghai-style steamed hairy crab with Chinese rice wine (S$168++ per piece), though there is more on the plate for diners looking for hairy crab creations.
À la carte dishes range from a fortifying bird’s nest broth with hairy crabmeat and crab roe served bubbling in a hot stone pot (S$128++) and claypot rice brimming with tender flesh and succulent roe (S$118++, serves four) to a seemingly Italian-inspired angel hair pasta, lobster, hairy crabmeat and crab roe (S$68++).
Steamed Shanghai pork dumplings impregnated with golden crab roe are available at S$12.80++ a piece, though they can also be enjoyed as part of a luxurious S$288++ set menu alongside the rich deep-fried fish maw, stuffed shrimp paste, hairy crabmeat and crab roe (available à la carte at S$78++).
Yan Ting’s hairy crab menu is available for a limited time. For reservations, book online here, call +65 6506 6887 or email yanting@stregis.com.
Yan Ting is located at The St. Regis Hotel, Level 1U, 29 Tanglin Road, 247911, Singapore.
Yì By Jereme Leung
Selected
MICHELIN Guide Singapore 2025
MICHELIN-selected contemporary Chinese restaurant Yì By Jereme Leung celebrates hairy crab this autumn with an inventive seasonal menu. Highlights include smoky, caramelized chicken wings stuffed with premium X.O. sauce and hairy crab roe and Sichuan-style crispy fish maw stuffed with shrimp paste and hairy crab roe.
The menu also features an inventive take on the classic pairing of steamed Chinese mitten crab and delicate florals: baked hairy crab with lemongrass and garlic, served with rose and ginger tea.
Yì By Jereme Leung's hairy crab menu is available from now until the season ends. For reservations, book online here, call +65 6412 1816, or email singapore@raffles.com.
Yì By Jereme Leung is located at the Raffles Arcade, #03-02, 328 North Bridge Road, 188719, Singapore.
