Overview
Singapore's national dish featuring fresh crab coated in a legendary sweet and spicy tomato-chili sauce.
IMG_0959
Dinner
Featured
Singapore Chili Crab
An authentic recipe for Singapore Chili Crab, featuring fresh crab simmered in a luscious sweet-and-spicy chili sauce finished with delicate egg ribbons.
Ready in
45 min
Makes 4 servings
Prep
20m
Cook
25m
Level
Medium
About this recipe
An authentic recipe for Singapore Chili Crab, featuring fresh crab simmered in a luscious sweet-and-spicy chili sauce finished with delicate egg ribbons.
Singapore's national dish featuring fresh crab coated in a legendary sweet and spicy tomato-chili sauce.
Ingredients
Main
Aromatics
Sauce
Finishing
Garnish
Equipment
- Wok Large size for cooking seafood
- Wok lid For steaming/cooking the crab
- Small bowl For mixing cornstarch slurry and beating eggs
Instructions
-
Heat oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Sauté garlic, ginger, and shallots until fragrant.
-
Add tomato paste and chili garlic sauce, stirring well for 2 minutes.
-
Add chicken stock, soy sauce, and sugar, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
-
Add the crab pieces into the wok, cover with a lid, and cook for 10-12 minutes until the crab turns bright red and cooked through.
-
Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
-
Slowly pour in the beaten eggs while gently stirring to create silky egg ribbons in the gravy.
-
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot with fried mantou buns.
Nutrition
Calories
380
Protein
28g
Carbs
18g
Fat
22g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
12g
Sodium
850mg
Serving Size
1 serving
Cooking Timeline
Recipe Scorecard
Overall
9.3
/10
Expert
4.9
95% conf.
Expert Review
Verdict
An iconic, mouthwatering dish balancing sweet, spicy, and savory flavors perfectly.
Pros
- Incredible depth of flavor
- Restaurant quality at home
- Rich and luscious sauce
Cons
- Requires some effort to clean and crack crab shells
AI Insights
Summary
An authentic recipe for Singapore Chili Crab, featuring fresh crab simmered in a luscious sweet-and-spicy chili sauce finished with delicate egg ribbons.
Tips
- Crack the crab shells slightly before cooking so the flavors penetrate deeply
- Do not over-stir when adding the beaten eggs to ensure nice, distinct ribbons
- Keep plenty of napkins and fried mantou buns ready for the sauce
Substitutions
- Mud crab → Blue swimmer crab or king crab legs
- Chili garlic sauce → Sambal oelek mixed with ketchup
Storage
Best enjoyed immediately. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Pairing
- Crispy fried mantou buns
- Chilled young coconut water or light lager beer
AI Cooking Assistant
Ask about substitutions, timing, or technique for this recipe.
FAQ
What kind of crab is best for this recipe?
Live mud crabs are traditional, but blue swimmer crabs or Dungeness crabs also work wonderfully.
What should I serve with Singapore Chili Crab?
It is traditionally served with steamed or fried mantou buns to soak up the delicious rich gravy.
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4.9 expert rating
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