How to Prepare the Hairy Crab?

 How to Prepare the Hairy Crab?

• Clean the crabs one at a time in a basin of water preferably with ice cubes added. The cold water helps keep the crabs alive.

• Do not remove the string tied to the crabs. Scrub the crabs gently using a stiff brush and rinse in the cold water.

• To steam the crabs, flip the crabs over so that the belly side is up. This will effectively prevent the crab roe from flowing out. Arrange them on a metal or ceramic plate. Cut some slices of ginger and arrange them on top of the belly of each crab. Place the perilla leaves sachet in the water underneath the plate. The perilla leaves sachet and ginger serve to remove strong smells from the crabs and mitigate their cooling effect.

• Steam at high heat for 15 to 20 minutes for crabs up to 250g. For heavier crabs 300g, steam for 25 minutes, and add 5 minutes of steaming time for every additional 50g.

• Remove the strings and arrange the cooked crab on a plate and serve them with the dipping sauce - crab vinegar and some thinly sliced ginger.