For a true taste of autumn in Hong Kong, nothing compares to the buttery, nuanced character of hairy crab. Leading establishments mark the season with specialised menus that creatively celebrate this annual delicacy. Enjoyed simply steamed or set within an opulent banquet, the hairy crab is the centrepiece of the harvest. Seek out this season’s premier menus for a rewarding gourmet journey.
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Ming Pavilion, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong
Ming Pavilion at Island Shangri-La is clawing its way to the top with an expertly executed hairy crab set menu that’s sure to shell-ebrate autumn’s finest flavours. Start your feast with delicacies like the tangy-sweet Yongchun Aged Vinegar Hairy Crab Terrine – a real pinch of perfection – before savouring the rich Braised Tofu with Hairy Crab Meat and Scallop, where silken tofu, sweet crab and plump scallop come into perfect balance. At HKD$988 per person, you’ll be sinking your claws into the freshest flavours of the prized hairy crab with dishes so good you’ll be hooked at first bite. Available until 30 November, don’t crab around – this menu is your can’t-miss catch for a seasonal treat that’s truly shell-icious!
Ming Pavilion, L8, Island Shangri-La Hong Kong, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2820 8580, www.shangri-la.com
Tao Li, New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel
Ready to shell out on a hairy crab adventure? Tao Li takes the crown with the Seasonal Hairy Crab Feast, offering à la carte dishes that’ll claw their way straight to your heart. You’ll of course get a taste of the signature steamed Jiangsu hairy crab itself, set against fragrant perilla leaves and the bracing tang of Zhenjiang vinegar, preserving every claw-some flavour and aroma you crave. And that’s just the bait – the feast pulls you in further with rich crab-laced delicacies from broths to dumplings, each bite packed with sea-driven depth. As the chilly winds nip outside, this hairy crab feast will be available until 15 December, warming you up with every mouthful!
Tao Li, 2/F, New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel, 72 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2313 4222, www.newworldmillenniumhotel.com
Duddell’s
In the mood for a crustacean celebration that’s claw-some with heritage and a modern edge? Duddell’s rolls out a Hairy Crab Tasting Menu at HKD$1,688 per person that ranks among autumn’s best. Each course is a shell-abration of premium hairy crab, built for flavour and texture from the first bite. From delicate starters to rich, roe-laden mains, the progression stays clean, focused, and deeply satisfying. Pair it with Duddell’s specially curated hairy crab wine selection, tailored to enhance the crab’s natural sweetness and umami. Available from 29 October to 19 December; this limited-time menu is your chance to claw into peak season – worth every pinch.
Duddell’s, 3/F & 4/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2525 9191, www.duddells.co
Mott 32
When it comes to hairy crab, Mott 32 is no small fry – they bring the lakes of Jiangsu Province straight to your table. Executive Head Chef Lee Man Sing and his team have handpicked crabs that are the cream of the crustacean crop, ensuring every bite snaps with freshness and richness. Paired to perfection with century-old yellow wine crafted from the region’s finest rice and water, this season’s Hairy Crab Set Menu (HKD$1,580 per person) is a masterclass in culinary craft and depth. And if cracking the shell seems daunting, fear not – Mott 32 provides dedicated assistants to help de-shell your feast, making it all smooth sailing. With the set menu and à la carte offerings available until 15 December, reserve your seat and relish peak season, one claw at a time.
Mott 32, Basement, Standard Chartered Bank Building, 4-4a Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2885 8688 , www.mott32.com
The Pizza Project
Who says you can’t put a little crustacean in your crust? For the first time ever this autumn, The Pizza Project is flipping tradition on its head by topping classic Italian bases with the season’s most sought-after shell-ebrities: Jiangsu hairy crabs. Kick things off with the Crab Montanara, a golden, crispy fritter loaded with crab, burrata, basil, and tomato, then go straight for the Hairy Crab Pizza, the house favourite, where luscious fior di latte meets rich, buttery roe for a match made in (pizza) heaven. Prefer something brighter? The Ginger Lemon Cup swoops in to cool those tastebuds with a sweet, spicy flourish. It’s a quirky cross-continental feast that proves hairy crab isn’t just the catch of the day – it’s the slice of the season. Only available from 1 to 30 November, better snip up your plans and scuttle in for this limited-edition menu!
The Pizza Project (Central), G/F, 26 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2311 1815
The Pizza Project (Wan Chai), G/F, 5 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2577 7227, thepizzaproject.hk
The Place, Cordis, Hong Kong
Showcasing premium Jiangsu hairy crab – with each adult guest treated to a complimentary whole 3.5-taels steamed hairy crab – The Place at Cordis, Hong Kong proudly presents its ‘Crab x Seafood Indulgence’ buffet until 30 November. Savour a wide array of crab-themed delights such as tender Hokkaido Horsehair Crab, crispy puff pastry topped with rich crab meat sauce, and savoury Hong Kong-style salted egg yolk crab, alongside a generous selection of premium chilled seafood, seasonal sashimi, and sushi. Complemented by a curated selection of Chinese and Western hot dishes, handcrafted dim sum, and a tempting dessert spread, this autumn extravaganza offers a luxurious crustacean feast in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.
The Place, Level L, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3552 3200, www.cordishotels.com
Pici
Only at Pici will you find this season’s hairy crab translated into comforting Italian plates. Begin with Drowning Crab (HKD$120), a crackling soft-shell set in warm saffron cream touched with lobster bisque; reset with the Tropical Crab Salad (HKD$140), sweet crab layered with mango, papaya and hami melon under a bright white-balsamic dressing. The Pici Hairy Crab (HKD$280) lands as the hero, hand-rolled strands in a roe-rich sauce brightened with Shaoxing wine and ginger, before a light Yuzu Panna Cotta (HKD$65) crowned with pomelo calls time.
Pici, various locations across Hong Kong, pici.hk
Cruise Restaurant & Bar, Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong
Cruise Restaurant & Bar at Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour is back with its fan-favourite ‘Hairy Crab Feed Me!’ seasonal tasting menu – running until 30 November. Priced at just HKD$598 per person (minimum two guests), this feast showcases Blue Swimming Crab, Flower Crab, and Hairy Crab – celebrating the autumn season’s peak flavour. Dishes to savour range from the tangy and crunchy Blue Swimming Crab Salad and rich Crab Wu Gok filled with buttery crab roe, to the classic Steamed Male Hairy Crab served with Zhenjiang Vinegar and Ginger. A perfect treat for crab lovers craving some claws alongside a scenic harbour view.
Cruise Restaurant & Bar, 23/F (West Tower), Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong, 1 North Point Estate Lane, North Point, Hong Kong, 3896 9898, www.cruiserestaurantandbar.com
Ming Court, Cordis, Hong Kong
Celebrating the arrival of the fall season, Ming Court at Cordis, Hong Kong presents a seasonal set menu, ‘A Touch of Gold: The Hairy Crab Feast’ – available from 8 October to 30 November. Carefully prepared, this luxurious meal presents plump Jiangsu hairy crabs at their peak, complemented by premium ingredients like lobster and fish maw. The menu offers dishes such as delicate steamed Shanghainese dumplings filled with rich crab roe, silky crab and seafood broth, and tender local lobster sautéed in crab roe sauce. The crab centerpiece is a traditionally steamed whole 5-taels hairy crab served with ginger and aged Zhejiang vinegar – capturing the essence of the season’s flavours. Priced at HKD$1,088 per person (including a sommelier-recommended glass), this feast promises a memorable tribute to the sea’s prized delicacy.
Ming Court (Cordis, Hong Kong), Level 6, Cordis, Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3552 3300, www.cordishotels.com
Spices
This autumn, Spices invites you to explore the rich flavours of the hairy crab with special seasonal set and a la carte menus – running from 20 October to 23 November. Serving freshly steamed whole crabs accompanied by savoury appetisers and flavourful main courses, this feast promises a luxurious celebration of the prized crustacean. Avid crab lovers can also secure a spot at Spices’ ‘Hairy Crab Wine Dinner’ on 16 October – a signature event priced at HKD$1,288 per person (with a special early bird and resident rate of HKD$1,088) – to savour the freshest and finest hairy crab dishes in a vibrant seaside setting.
Spices, G/F, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong, 2292 2821, www.therepulsebay.com
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
