When my colleagues suggested that we go to some spicy crab place for dinner tonight (Canal Road at Lockhart, 2573-7698), I thought, "Hey...wasn't that the typhoon shelter stuff that Bourdain ate on that boat?" It was. And it's hard to tell that this thing is spicy just by looking at it. I mean, there was so much garlic showered onto it that you could hardly see the crab parts underneath (vampires, keep your distance!). But weaved into those little brown bits of surprisingly not too overpowering garlic were some kind of chili peppers for spiciness, the degree of which you could specify according to your tastes.
This was pretty darned good, and better than Singaporean chili crab in my opinion (it looks like they were also using thick-shelled Sri Lankan crabs here). All of that garlic made it a bit reminiscient of Bangkok's Polo Fried Chicken but with a delicate spiciness that grows on you. And when you got past the claws and legs, you got to the ultimate cholesterol bomb: the crab butter, which also happened to be drenched in the oil that was used to cook this thing. It tasted just like it sounds: tasty, but rich as hell. I'm gonna have to eat salads for a few days just to offset this offense.
9 comments:
Ha! I was slightly insulted when you commented that this was actually better than our chilli crab. Although I always feel that only the chicken rice is the best dish in Singapore, I still don't think any other crab dish in the world can best us. :P Not forgetting the black pepper crab and butter crab.
I shall continue reading your blog. I am enjoying it so far. :)
chub cheks
well, i've been there before myself. being a singaporean, i'm afraid to say that its better than our chilli crab. of course, when it comes to chicken rice, i have yet to taste anything similar.
wf
Yes, I agreee.. i love those crabs! THE BEST I EVER EATEN..hahaaaa
You're right about the typhoon stuff. We found 'Under Bridge Spicy Crab' in Causwey Bay during typhoon no.8 in July '07. While Chinese whimps were all indoors, we gutsed our way through steamed scallops, razor-back clams and 'spicy crab' washed down with copious amounts of local beer and all for less than £15. This place ain't to be missed.
Dude! I understand a comparison between Typhoon Shelter crabs and perhaps Pepper crabs, but Under Bridge Spicy Crab ain't got nothing on Singapore Chilli Crabs... The ability to sop up all that orange-red sauce with some of those minature fried buns just gives Chilli Crabs another dimension of enjoyment.
Sorry, but under bridge spicy crab is number 1. You will know after you try it.
Just had this last week FANTASTIC. Also had Razor clams and Mantis Prawns there too. Will definitely be going back next time we go to HK. Previously not a big crab fan but after having real Singapore Chilli crab, Singapore Pepper crab and Typhoon shelter crab I am hooked!!
Hi! I discovered your site by accident. And I also ate at this exact restaurant a few months back to celebrate my 7th year anniversary with my girlfriend. and it was awesome. it's the best crab dish i've ever eaten.
to me both " under bridge spicy crab and s'pore chilli crab are great.. if we know how to enjoy it
Post a Comment