Singapore chilli crab claws its way to Hong Kong: where to find tasty new variations
- We’ve found dumplings, burgers and seaweed tempura all inspired by the famous Singaporean dish
- Visit soon because some stocks are limited
One of Singapore’s signature dishes, chilli crab has recently clawed its way into Hong Kong’s food culture.
The dish is said to have originated on the streets of Singapore, where it was first sold from pushcarts. Drenched in a thick spicy and sweet tomato sauce, chilli crabs have become a Singaporean national dish.
The flavour of chilli crabs is now being used in everything from packaged noodles to potato chips. Here are a few chilli-crab-inspired dishes that we’ve spotted in Hong Kong.
Singapore chilli crab xiaolongbao at Paradise Dynasty
The new Tsim Sha Tsui branch of Paradise Dynasty – a Singaporean restaurant chain serving Chinese cuisine – offers Singapore chilli crab xiaolongbao.
This special xiaolongbao version is distinctive for its half-red, half-white skin, which is wrapped around a small portion of minced crabmeat in a sweet and mildly spicy soup.
The skin of the xiaolongbao was very delicate, but we managed not to spill any of its contents. The soup was rich with the sweetness of tomatoes and a spiciness that was just enough to excite our taste buds without being too hot. The crabmeat was quite fresh and juicy.
The dish is available only at the Tsim Sha Tsui branch as part of its opening promotion. A basket of five chilli crab xiaolongbao can be ordered by customers who also order the eight-flavoured Special Dynasty xiaolongbao (HK$108) and share photos of the dish on social media. The dish will be available while stocks last.