Our beloved national dish—the glorious chilli crab—has always been a must-try local delicacy.
The younger Singaporean entrepreneurs have taken this traditional classic to a whole new level by integrating its key flavours into other cuisines. We are now seeing chilli crab infused into buns, burgers, pastas and even in a donburi!
From Fresh Fruits Lab’s Chilli Soft Shell Crab Pasta to Yan’s Chilli Crab Meat Buns, here are 9 Best Chilli Crab Dishes in Singapore.
#1 BAO MAKERS – CHILLI CRAB BAO
THE PLACE: Bao Makers is a cafe that is known for their whacky bao creations and their menu encompasses everything you can ever think of.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: With Bao Maker’s Chilli Crab Bao which comprises real crab meat in succulent chilli crab sauce sandwiched between two deep-fried mantou, you will never look at Chinese baos the same way again.
Tel: +65 6291 2330
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 3.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Fri: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sat: 12pm – 5pm, 6pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 5pm
Nearest Station: Outram Park
#2 DIN TAI FUNG – STEAMED CHILLI CRAB AND PORK BUNS
THE PLACE: A popular Chinese restaurant that has multiple outlets across the island, Din Tai Fung is most well known for their steamed pork dumplings.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Piping hot Steamed Chilli Crab and Pork Buns from Din Tai Fung features generous chunks of chilli crab mixed with minced pork in a soft bun.
290 Orchard Road
#B1-03, Paragon
Singapore 238859
Tel: +65 6836 8336
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9.30pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Orchard
#3 DON MEIJIN – SPICY CHILLI CRAB TENDON
THE PLACE: Don Meijin is a donburi eatery at Ramen Champion Bugis+ offering quite a range of donburi bowls.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: The Spicy Chilli Crab Tendon is served with deep-fried prawns, asparagus, pumpkin, salmon, kakiage and eggplant—and the addition of chilli crab sauce over crispy tempura.
201 Victoria Street
#04-10, Bugis+
Ramen Champion Bugis+
Singapore 188067
Tel: +65 6238 1011
Mon to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
#4 FRESH FRUITS LAB – CHILLI SOFT SHELL CRAB PASTA
THE PLACE: A colourful space that has been deliberately decorated to resemble a minimalistic laboratory.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Chilli Soft Shell Crab Pasta is served in a homemade spicy sauce—prepared with chilli crab, tomatoes and eggs—before it is topped with fresh herbs and a crispy succulent soft shell crab.
351 Changi Road
Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Closed on Mondays
Nearest Station: Eunos
#5 THE HALIA – HALIA’S SINGAPORE-STYLE CHILLI CRAB SPAGHETTINI
THE PLACE: Nestled within lush greenery at The Botanic Gardens, The Halia is an award-winning restaurant renowned for their Singapore-style dishes.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: We love chilli crab but we will admit we hate declawing it. The Halia’s chilli crab pasta allows one to sink his/her teeth into large amounts of chilli crabmeat with spaghetti.
1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Singapore 259659
Tel: +65 8444 1148
Mon to Fri: 9am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Botanic Gardens
#6 LOOF – CHILLI CRAB WAFFLE FRIES
THE PLACE: Rooftop bar Loof is a popular after-work watering hole and is frequented by nearby corporate workers throughout the week.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Loof’s Waffle Fries comprises their signature chilli sauce and blue crab dip. Yes, the tangy blue crab dip is something you have to try!
331 North Bridge Road
#03-07 Odeon Towers
Singapore 188720
Closed on Sundays
Mon to Thu: 5pm – 1am
Fri and Sat: 5pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Bras Basah
#7 O’ COFFEE CLUB XPRESS – CHILLI CRAB PASTA
THE PLACE: A casual cafe that is equipped with free WIFI, power sockets, a curated range of gourmet food and coffee selections.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: The cafe’s Chilli Crab Pasta captures the essence of our favourite Singaporean local delight pretty well with the pasta being topped with a generous amount of chilli crab sauce and crab meat.
10 Airport Boulevard
Departure Public Area
Singapore 819665
Tel: +65 6513 2650
Daily: 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Changi Airport
#8 THE FABULOUS BAKER BOY – CHILLI CRAB MAC & CHEESE
THE PLACE: The Fabulous Baker Boy is a cosy space ideal for gatherings with friends and/or a quiet meal with your partner. Prices here are very reasonable too.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: We are digging The Fabulous Baker Boy’s interpretation of the Mac & Cheese. Think chunks of chilli crab meat and herbed panko served atop the classic Mac & Cheese.
70 River Valley Road
Singapore 179037
Tel: +65 6694 8336
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 8.30am – 6pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 10pm
Sun: 8.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
#9 YAN – PAN-FRIED SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB MEAT BUN
THE PLACE: 154-seater Yàn is a beautiful Chinese restaurant that sits on the fifth floor of the stunning National Gallery Singapore. We are in love with the restaurant’s chinoiserie-chic vibes and elegant Cantonese cuisine.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Yan has pushed all boundaries and surprised us with their pan-fried Chilli Crab Meat buns. Tasty wok-fried buns are stuffed with savoury chilli crab and complete with sesame seeds.
1 St. Andrew’s Road, #05-02
National Gallery Singapore
Singapore 178957
Tel: +65 63845585
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: City Hall