Hairy Crab (大閘蟹)

大閘蟹

In ancient China it was regarded as something of high taste to enjoy the delicacy of crabs, watch the chrysanthemums and compose poems.

Crabs have different grades. Those living in the lake are the best - especially in Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The following five grades are those in the river, creek, brook, gully and sea.

The hairy crabs in the Yangcheng Lake are the most renowned. The special ecological environment around the lake is the reason why it grows good crabs.

Live Hairy Crab (大閘蟹), Can be kept in the fridge with a wet towel acting as a blanket on top of them. This will keep them alive and fresh but should not be more than a week as the dehydration process will effect the taste. 

Since hairy crabs are "cold" food according to the Chinese believe, they should be steamed with ginger and spring onion and eaten along with yellow rice wine, which are "warm" so as to balance off. You must not drink cold water or eat persimmons after having crabs, or your stomach will be hurt.

It is advisable to drink tea boiled with ginger while eating hairy crab to maintain the Yin & Yan balance.

Ginger Tea

Hairy Crab is best taken with Chinese rice vinegar mixed with ginger shred and "red" sugar (紅糖).

Tools for Hairy Crab meal

From Mamak to Thai

Chicken curry from Mustafa, Chulia Street, Penang

Mustafa's chicken curry with oil-rice

Nasi Dagang, available at Cafe Kemaman, Uptown Damansara

Special Thai fried rice (Asia Cafe, Subang Jaya)

Thai fried koay teow(Asia Cafe, Subang Jaya)

Sarawak Laksa @Bangsar

One of the better Sarawak laksa that can be found in the Klang Valley has to be at Auntie Christine. This stall can be found at the corner kopi tiam (Jalan Cenderai) behind TMC supermarket.

The stall also sells Seun Phun Che, 算盘子(a Hakka dish).

Penang Hawker Food

For those with a urge of having the Penang hokkien mee why not try the hawker centre (formerly a aquarist was housed there) located between Larut road and Swatow Lane. Be prepare to wait for up to 1 hour.

Penang curry mee

hokkien mee

While at Pulau Tikus wet market hawker's centre, try out the Koay Teow Thng (flat noodle fish ball soup)

Char koay teow (fried flat noodles) at the kopi tiam, junction of Sri Bahadi road and Penang road

Lor ba

dry hor fun

Penang Hawker Food @New Lane

At Penang's New Lane, Georgetown, is the hawkers paradise. The area consists over 30 stalls selling all kinds of Penang hawker delicacies.

Fried koay teow

Che cheong fun

Fried oysters (or-chen)

"Char Koay"

Curry mee

Mee rebus

Mee goreng (Indian fried noodles)

Coach Meals

Meals on board coach journey to Singapore...........

Saturday Lunch @mum's place

Nothing beats mum's home cooked food. This is our Saturday lunch at mum's place.

Fish curry

Fried asam (tamarind) prawn

"kiam chai boi" salted vegetable soup

"lor han cai", vegetarian dish

mixed vegetable fish ball soup

fried eggs (mum's style)

fried chicken wings