Best Chili Crab in Singapore

Chili Crab has long been regarded as the most popular dish in Singapore. So iconic is the dish that it's synonymous to being the country's culinary emblem. As they say, you've never been to Singapore if your palate was not romanced by this fiery, lip-smacking dish. It's normally prepared by frying the crab to crispy shell perfection then generously coated and bathed in a thick, juicy and creamy tomato gravy. There are a lot of places to savour this dish. From big chain of restaurants to open-air dining set up at Hawker Centres and Kopitiams, you'll be pampered with many variations. From those that I've tried so far, these are my top five picks.

5. Olde Cuban Chinatown

#2 Trengganu Street, #02-01
 Singapore 058456

 Mildly hot & spicy, creamy, saucy, with a hint of sour, the sauce is undoubtedly finger licking good!

 

4. Long Beach Seafood
25 Dempsey Road, opposite Singapore Botanic Gardens
Tel: +65 6323 2222

The only version that's very distinct in herb notes like coriander leaf. It has a very fresh, juicy, succulent aroma and taste impression. The level of hotness is just right.



3. Red House
Blk 1204, #01-05
East Coast Seafood Centre
East Coast Parkway
Singapore 449 882
Tel: +65 6442 3112

The taste is more on the juicy, tomato character. It's a classic, downright simple hot & spicy version.


2. Jumbo Seafood
Riverside Point
30 Merchant Road # 01-01/02 Riverside Point
Singapore 058282
Tel: +65 6532-3435

Very fiery! The pepper seeds and flakes are very well incorporated into the sauce. There's no hint of herbs, sourness or even an overwhelming tomato note. I think what made this dish likeable is its well rounded taste and balanced flavors.

1. No Signboard Seafood
Esplanade 8 Raffles Avenue
#01-14/16
The Esplanade, Singapore
039802
Tel: +65 6336 9959
Inspite of the absence of a food photo, No Signboard's Chili Crab version left a remarkable memory in my palate. It's a complete version to be had. It's the most creamy and thus, most tasty of all. The level of hotness is just right and the sauce guarantees to provide a lip-smacking, finger licking experience.



Also, a Chili Crab experience will never be complete without dunking a delish fried mantou in the sauce. It's actually a pair made in gastronomical heaven.