Published Jan 30, 2011 Updated Sep 13, 2024 I love crab, and one of my favorite recipes is chili crab, or crab in sour and spicy sauce (酸辣蟹). Imagine jumbo-sized crab drenched in a rich, sweet, tangy, and spicy sauce made from chili paste, tomato sauce, and a blend of other seasonings. It’s served with hot-off-the-steamer, fluffy, and soft mantou or Chinese steamed buns. Whether steamed or fried, these buns are perfect for sopping up the scrumptious, addictive sauce. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water. This crab dish is popular in both Malaysia and Singapore; in fact, it’s so iconic that it has become a must-try for tourists visiting Singapore. Fancy more crab recipes, check out my Crab Bee Hoon, Baked King Crab, and Crab Legs recipes!
The Best Chili Crab Recipe
This authentic chili crab recipe blends elements from both Chinese and Malaysian cuisines, with a rich, eggy sauce that’s perfect for entertaining guests. While I have a delicious home-style chili crab recipe from my late mother, this is my go-to version when friends crave a saucy, sticky, and eggy delight. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s ideal for entertaining and sure to impress any seafood lover.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
In Singapore and the southern part of Malaysia (in Johor Bahru), this dish is made with jumbo mud crab from Sri Lanka or Indonesia. Elsewhere in Malaysia, local, smaller mud crabs are used. In the US, mud crab can be hard to find, but Dungeness crab is a great alternative for this recipe. If you purchase it from Asian supermarkets, they will clean and chop it up for you. I always save the shell, pick out the tamale or mustard inside, and add it to the sauce. You can also prepare this dish with blue crab or stone crab. If live crabs are not available, you can use frozen crab clusters, such as snow crab.
What To Serve With Chili Crab
If you want a Malaysian Choo Char or Singaporean Tze Char experience at home, make the following recipes with the crab. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
