Crabs have always been a big weakness of many and the idea of a crab buffet is always exciting. Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road’s acclaimed annual crab feast is back again for the 5th year running from 06 May to 26 June 2016, and you should be familiar with this extravaganza by now.

They are the pioneers for crab buffets, and this year, Executive Chef Jackson Goh and Executive Sous Chef Ken Ang have introduced two exotic flavours to add to the exciting favourites – Spanish Style and Mediterranean. These new variations will add to the existing list of flavours, of which includes all-time favourites such as Singapore Chilli Crab, Cereal Crab, Salted Egg Yolk Crab, Black Pepper Crab, White Pepper Crab, and Crab with Honey Rock Sugar.

Besides the many styles of crabs, the buffet line-up will also comprise a huge number of crab-centric dishes and appetisers, on top of the other popular dishes from Plaza Brasserie’s regular buffet.

We had our go, and we are more than affirmed that the annual Ultimate Crab Feast at Plaza Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Beach Road is not to be missed.

SPANISH STYLE CRAB

You might not know where to start. Trust us, it happens when you have so many flavours right before your eyes.

Star with the all-new Spanish-style Crab. Traditional Spanish flavours derived from fresh herbs and spices adds an extra flavour boost and colour to Spanish dishes, and that is exactly what Executive Chef Jackson Goh has done to the crabs here.

Look forward to intense and mult-dimensional flavours. This is sure a lovely change from the usual pepper and whatnot we are used to having for our crabs.

MEDITERRANEAN CRAB

The Mediterranean-style Crab is prepared using a pretty broad group of different ingredients, with influences from Southern Italy, Greece, Morocco and Spain. The difference between the Spanish-style Crab and this one is that these Mediterranean ones are a little bit more robust in flavours, with influences from the Moroccan spice palette.

We were especially drawn to the diverse herbs and spices used. They have found the right balance between the added flavours and the sweetness of the crab to bring out the best of both worlds.

SALTED EGG YOLK CRAB

But of course, right? Salted egg crab is a perennial favourite and a crab buffet cannot do without this variation, really.

Rest assured that Plaza Brasserie’s salted egg yolk sauce is exceptionally rich and creamy, so much so that you would lick the crab shells clean to savour all that buttery goodness. This has been the most popular flavour at Ultimate Crab Feast every year.

SINGAPORE CHILLI CRAB

This is the classic Singaporean style and it comes with free-flow crisp and fluffy deep-fried buns (mantou) on the side for you to dip in the sauce with.

Trust us, it is a must to have the mantou. We could not stop ourselves from dipping in the generous chilli crab sauce. Of course, the crab itself was plump and juicy.

ALL THE OTHER CRABS TO LOVE

Yes, there’s more.

Let’s begin with the White Pepper Crab. This is another signature flavour, though slightly lighter in terms of flavour intensity, but that only enhances the natural taste of the crab meat itself.

But you can stick to your intense flavours. Skip the White Pepper Crab and go right for the Black Pepper Crab. The robust taste of black pepper can be pretty addictive, and chilli padi is used as well for an extra spicy kick.

Singaporeans would probably love the Cereal Crab. The familiar sweet and crunchy cereal – tossed and cooked with curry leaves and chilli padi for that extra kick – is one that we are all familiar with and probably grew up eating.

The Crab with Honey Rock Sugar was introduced last year as a variation of the Marmite Crab. A sweeter version this is, with a hint of garlic – and though different from the spicy ones, this is no less mild in terms of flavours.

CRAB-CENTRIC BITES

On top of the whole crabs cooked in different flavours, there are several other bites that revolve around the crustacean too.

Curry Crab Meat in Kueh Pie Tee; Crab Meat Chawanmushi; Thai Glass Noodle Salad; Spicy Crab Meat Salad; Breaded Crab Cake and Pandan Liu Sha Pau in Basket – just to name a few from the spread.

Our personal picks are the Crab Meat Chawanmushi and Breaded Crab Cake. The former differs slightly from the usual chawanmushi and comes in a firmer texture. And the egg custard is packed with generous amounts of crab meat, with even more spread out on top. The latter is made fully out of crab meat and the breading that covers is crispy and tasty.

Finally, our favourite dish – Roti Prata with Crab Masala. Anyone who has ever visited Plaza Brasserie would be familiar with the amazingly fresh prata from their resident prata counter. For the crab buffet, look forward to the crab masala; it is very spicy but extremely flavourful and gratifying.

THE ULTIMATE CRAB FEAST AT PARKROYAL ON BEACH ROAD

6 May 2016 to 26 June 2016
Buffet Dinner (Daily) – 6pm to 10pm – Adult: $75, Child: $45
Buffet Lunch (Sundays only) –  12pm to 2pm – Adult: $68, Child: $41

Pre-Mother’s Day Special
Buffet Lunch (Saturday) – 7 May 2016, 12pm to 2pm – Adult: $68, Child: $41
For reservations, call +65 6505 5710 or email dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com.

Plaza Brasserie
PARKROYAL on Beach Road
7500 Beach Road, Level One
Singapore 199591
Tel: +65 6505 5710
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Nicoll Highway

This post was brought to you by PARKROYAL on Beach Road.

* The Palm Beach Seafood Giveaway is now closed. The winners are Daniel (29), Chloe (18), HahazZ (57), Vivian (37). Thank you for participating, better luck next time! *

“My all time favorite is chili crab with deep-fried mantou, what’s yours?” I asked on twitter.

Everyone replied enthusiastically, the popular choices are pepper crab, chili crab, crab bee hoon, salted egg yoke crab and butter crab. Even though I just had chili crab and double baked cheese crab at Palm Beach Seafood recently, I find myself craving for  the thick, sweet-and-spicy gravy of the chili crab, with deep fried mantou of course.

While we are at the topic of crab, I realize people like to debate on which restaurant has the best crab in Singapore. Like what I always say: whichever place you like – has the best crab!

HOW TO ENTER THE PALM BEACH SEAFOOD CRAB GIVEAWAY

I totally understand how it feels to be on your end, looking at all the photos and yet cannot get to taste the food; so I’m happy to announce that Palm Beach Seafood has kindly agreed to giveaway $50 vouchers (no minimum spending required) to 4 lucky readers. If you want a chance to win, here is what to do:

1. Leave a comment on this post

Tell us what’s your favorite crab and why. I’m asking for your favorite style of cooking for the crab, it does not have to be from a particular restaurant. Just tell me what style do you like, and if you happen to like an exotic way of cooking crabs which can be anything for example, Double Baked Cheese Crab, let us know! (***updated***)

And ONE entry per person, you are encouraged to get your friends to join the contest but please play fair and do not post multiple comments under different names.

2. Use a valid & contactable email

Please use a valid & contactable email when you post the comment. I will email the winners shortly after the contest ended, remember to check your email on Monday.

3. And the Four lucky Winners . . .

The four lucky winners will be decided by a highly sophisticated method, and I reserve the right to re-pick if there’s any discrepancy or foul-play involved. I know there are folks from the States, Malaysia, Australia, and other countries reading my blog, but unfortunately this contest is only open to those currently residing in Singapore. But all of you are welcome to share your thoughts too!

The closing date for this giveaway is Sunday 28th of Feb 2359 hrs, and so you have exactly forty eight hours before it ends.

I hope you enjoy the little gift I have for everyone!

The most amazing thing about having a food blog, is knowing the other food bloggers. Besides the food blogs in Singapore, I got to meet up with the KL food bloggers during my trip up north last year, and when I went for a holiday in Australia during December, the good Sydney food bloggers hosted and brought me around for the best food in Sydney.

When Howard & Linda (eatshow&tell) told me that they were stopping-over in Singapore for a few hours before flying to Hong Kong, I knew that I had to bring them to have our famous Chili Crab.

It’s a tough decision trying to choose a place, since there’s so many restaurants claiming to serve the best chili crab in Singapore. I finally decided on No SignBoard restaurant because it has always been one of my family’s favorite place for crabs. As there were 6 of us, the staff advised that we probably need two crabs, so our second choice was the Salted Egg Yolk crab ($40 per kg). It was an irony since No SignBoard is famous for their white pepper crabs in Singapore, but I’m not a fan of pepper. Besides, I know I want the salted egg yolk, and I wanted it immediately. You know, like now!

Drop-dead gorgeous.

Look at that, the golden cluster of the salted egg yolk! I licked off the salted egg yolk coat on the crab pincers, and it simply disintegrated. The sauce reminded me of the salted egg yolk in custard buns, both equally as good but this one was slightly saltier, and very fragrant.

Hand over your passports, nobody leaves Singapore without trying Chili crab.

Photogenic it is not, but in the mouth, one struggles for words, and everything is forgiven. There’s different renditions of Chili crabs, with each claiming to be better than the other; so how do you actually define what’s a good Chili Crab? I like it slightly sweet, and spicy. I like to dip my beloved deep-fried mantou into the thick and awesome gravy, pour a whole bowl of it onto the white rice and finish everything.

Six deep-fried Mantou please, no wait, make it twelve. Okay, give us another six more. Oh those incredibly delicious, tiny devils.

Coming from a poor chili eater, I find the Sambal Kangkong extremely spicy. Herein lies the question: do we like sambal kangkong because it is hot, or do we like it hot so we like sambal kangkong?

Anyway, I like my sambal kangkong to be hot even though I can’t take chili very well. And the one here, is damn hot.

I’m not sure about you, but it seems to me that people always order Cereal prawns not so much because of the prawns, but rather they like the crispy cereals. I’m not going to talk about the niffy gritty part on how to peel a prawn, forget every single thing that I’ve said – just swallow the whole prawn.

Without a doubt, Chili Crab is the face and ambassador of the Singapore food scene, and No Signboard has the best chili crab in Singapore – because I like them. And no, we are not going to start the controversial debate on ‘where is the best chili crab in Singapore’. Whichever crab you like, is the best crab.

If you have hang around for long enough, you’d know that I’m not a big fan of steamboat, so it’s always an once-a-year thing for Chinese New Year reunion dinner. Most reputable fine-dining Chinese restaurants are probably fully booked by now; so instead of having steamboat, how about Seafood for Chinese New Year? Sounds like a plan to me.

Restaurant Review
No Signboard Seafood
414 Geylang Road
Tel: +65 6842 3415
Daily 12pm – 1am