Chilli crab facts for kids
A plate of chilli crab
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| Type | Seafood |
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| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Associated national cuisine | Malaysia, Singapore |
| Created by | Cher Yam Tian |
| Serving temperature | Hot, with a side of Mantou |
| Main ingredients | Crab, chilli, egg |
| Variations | Black pepper crab |
Chilli crab (Chinese: 辣椒螃蟹; pinyin: làjiāo pángxiè; Malay: Ketam cili) is a super yummy seafood dish from Southeast Asia. It first started in Singapore in the 1960s. This dish is so popular that it's seen as a national food in both Malaysia and Singapore. It's usually made with mud crabs. These crabs are quickly cooked, or stir-fried, in a thick, tasty sauce. The sauce is a mix of sweet and savory flavors, mostly from tomato and chilli.
Contents
The Story of Chilli Crab
How Chilli Crab Began
The story of chilli crab began in 1956 with a lady named Cher Yam Tian and her husband, Lim Choo Ngee. They started selling their special stir-fried crabs from a small pushcart. Their original recipe was simple, but they later added bottled chilli and tomato sauce to make it even better.
Their crab dish became very popular! Because of their success, they opened a restaurant called Palm Beach Seafood. It was located along Upper East Coast Road. Later, in the 1960s, a famous Singaporean chef named Hooi Kok Wah created the version of chilli crab that many people enjoy today.
A Friendly Food Debate
In 2009, Malaysia's Tourism Minister, Ng Yen Yen, said that chilli crab was a Malaysian dish. This sparked a friendly discussion about where the dish truly came from. It shows how much people love and are proud of their traditional foods!
What Makes Chilli Crab Special?
Taste and Texture
The sauce for chilli crab is often described as "sensuous." This means it has a rich and pleasing feel. It tastes both sweet and savory at the same time. The sauce also has a soft, "fluffy texture," which makes it fun to eat.
The Crabs Used
While different kinds of crabs can be used, mud crabs are the most common choice for this dish. They are perfect for soaking up all the delicious sauce.
How to Enjoy It
Chilli crab is usually served hot. A popular way to eat it is with mantou buns. These are soft, fluffy buns that can be either fried or steamed. You use the mantou buns to scoop up all the amazing chilli crab sauce. It's a great way to make sure you don't miss a single drop!
Chilli Crab Around the World
Famous Food Recognition
Chilli crab has gained fame worldwide. CNN Go once listed it as one of the "world's 50 most delicious foods," placing it at Number 35! The Michelin Guide, which is famous for rating restaurants, even has a special page on its website dedicated to chilli crab.
Featured on TV Shows
This exciting dish has also been part of popular TV shows. It was featured in challenges on The Amazing Race 25, The Amazing Race Asia 4, and The Amazing Race China 4. Contestants had to crack a certain number of chilli crabs as part of their tasks. Chilli crab also appeared in the Netflix TV series Street Food in its first season.
See also
In Spanish: Chili de cangrejo para niños
