Crab season in Shenzhen is not only about steaming whole hairy crabs. The real cult dish is crab-roe noodles: a bowl of springy noodles buried under hand-picked crab roe, crab meat and crab paste, tossed at the table and eaten with a splash of aged vinegar. Nothing to shell, nothing to clean up, and at ¥48 to ¥98 a bowl it costs a fraction of what the same dish goes for in Hong Kong. This guide compares six real restaurants across the three most useful border areas for Hong Kong visitors - Luohu, Futian and Nanshan (Shenzhen Bay) - with addresses, metro line, station and exit, reference prices and a one-tap Amap navigation link for each.
Prices, opening hours and seasonal availability change quickly. Information was checked in October 2026 and every figure here is a review or platform reference price - always confirm with the restaurant on the day.
The 30-second version
- Cheapest way in (from ¥48):a portion of crab-roe soup dumplings at Xie Xing Ji is about ¥48, and a crab-powder noodle meal at Songhelou starts around ¥50 per person.
- The showstopper:Suyi Crab Noodle Master's "golden crab-roe waterfall noodles" (around ¥98), described in reviews as crab roe in the same quantity as the name promises; the shop's bald-butter crab-roe rice is listed at about ¥98.
- Closest to Luohu Port:Suyi Crab Noodle Master at Guomao SPRING - about 180 m from Exit B of Guomao Station on Line 1.
- Futian:Songhelou at Shenye UpperHills for stir-fried crab powder, and Jiujiu Noodle House in Xiasha for the Jiangnan wok-tossed style.
- Shenzhen Bay / Nanshan:Xie Xing Ji at Coastal City (about 70 m from Exit D1 of Houhai Station) and Xie Jiang 1027 in Nantou for crab-roe noodles plus spicy crab.
- Budget band:¥48 for crab-roe dumplings, ¥48 to ¥98 for a crab noodle bowl, about ¥98 for a "bald butter" crab-roe rice, and up to ¥170 per person if you add a spicy crab pot.
Crab powder, crab roe, crab paste and "bald butter" - what you are actually ordering
- Crab powder (蟹粉, xiè fěn):crab roe mixed with picked crab meat, usually stir-fried in oil. Lighter in flavour and the cheapest option, most often used to dress noodles or rice.
- Crab roe (蟹黃, xiè huáng):the ovaries and hepatopancreas of a female crab. The richest and most golden, and the star of any "crab roe noodles". Pricier than crab powder.
- Crab paste (蟹膏):the milt of a male crab, sticky and dense. Local diners time it with the saying "ninth month for the female, tenth month for the male" - lunar September for roe, lunar October for firm meat.
- Bald butter (禿黃油, tū huáng yóu):a Suzhou tradition where only roe and paste are slow-rendered with lard, no crab meat at all. The most expensive and most intense; a few Shenzhen shops sell it over rice for about ¥98.
Rule of thumb: crab powder if you want more meat and a lighter bill, crab roe or bald butter if you want the full oil-rich hit. In the same shop, the crab-roe version can taste three times stronger than the crab-powder one.
Six crab-roe noodle restaurants in Shenzhen, compared
| Restaurant | Area / port | Nearest metro | Signature dish | Reference price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suyi Crab Noodle Master (Guomao SPRING) | Luohu, Guomao | Line 1 Guomao, Exit B, ~180 m | Crab-roe waterfall noodles, crab-powder noodles | bald-butter crab-roe rice ~¥98 |
| Xie Wei Ding Crab Roe Noodles (Dongmen) | Luohu, Dongmen | Line 1 Laojie (Dongmen), ~560 m | Signature crab roe noodles, crab roe spring rolls | ~¥90 per person |
| Songhelou Suzhou-Style Noodles (Shenye UpperHills) | Futian, Shenye UpperHills | Line 10 Donggualing, ~630 m | Stir-fried crab powder with plain broth noodles | Crab powder ~¥88 plus noodles ~¥12 (2023 review); ~¥50-60 per person |
| Jiujiu Noodle House (Xiasha) | Futian, Xiasha | Line 9 Xiasha, Exit B, ~680 m | Signature crab roe noodles, shrimp and eel noodles | ~¥80 per person |
| Xie Xing Ji Crab Roe Noodles (Coastal City) | Nanshan, Coastal City / Shenzhen Bay | Line 2/11 Houhai, Exit D1, ~70 m | Golden crab-roe noodles (free noodle refills) | Noodles ¥98, dumplings ¥48; ~¥82 per person |
| Xie Jiang 1027 Spicy Crab (Nantou) | Nanshan, Nantou | Line 1 Daxin, Exit A, ~700 m | Crab-roe tossed noodles, spicy crab | ~¥170 per person |
1. Suyi Crab Noodle Master (Guomao SPRING) - the Luohu Port pick
If you cross at Luohu, this is your fastest bowl: 180 m from Exit B of Guomao Station on Line 1, inside the Guomao SPRING mall on level 2. The signature "golden crab-roe waterfall noodles" (蟹黃瀑布麵) is the most ordered dish in the shop, with reviewers calling the roe generous enough to coat every strand - no shelling required. Also worth ordering: bald-butter crab-roe rice at about ¥98, premium crab roe and prawn soup dumplings, and a stir-fried beef noodle for anyone in the group who does not eat crab. Open 10:30-21:30 on weekdays and 10:00-22:00 at weekends.
- Address:Shop 208, Level 2, Guomao SPRING, 3002 Renmin South Road, Luohu
- Metro:Line 1 Guomao Station, Exit B, about 180 m on foot
- Hours:Mon-Fri 10:30-21:30; Sat-Sun 10:00-22:00
- Price guide:bald-butter crab-roe rice around ¥98 (January 2026 review)
The brand also runs branches at Great China Maoye Tiandi next to Luohu Station (about 250 m), at Huangting Plaza B1 in Futian, and at Shenzhen Bay Ruiyin B2 - useful if you are already shopping in one of those malls.
2. Xie Wei Ding Crab Roe Noodles (Dongmen) - eat, then shop the old street
Dongmen is all narrow lanes and snack stalls, and Xie Wei Ding sits in one of them, a short walk from the old shopping street. The kitchen claims ten crabs and roughly 75 g of roe per bowl, and locals pair the signature noodles with pure golden roe rice, crab roe spring rolls and Shaoxing wine-drunk crab. It is about 560 m from Laojie (Dongmen) Station, so the natural plan is shop first, noodles after. Budget around ¥90 per person.
- Address:Room 1-P11, Donglong Commercial Building, 71 Erheng Street, Dongmen, Luohu
- Metro:Line 1 Laojie (Dongmen) Station, about 560 m on foot
- Price guide:about ¥90 per person
- Signatures:signature crab roe noodles, pure golden roe rice, crab roe spring rolls, wine-drunk crab
3. Songhelou Suzhou-Style Noodles (Shenye UpperHills) - the cheapest proper bowl
Songhelou is a Suzhou institution founded in 1757 whose fast-casual noodle arm has taken Shenzhen by storm; the website lists branches in Futian and Nanshan. Noodles come in red broth or plain white broth - take the white one for tossing crab powder through - and the crab powder arrives in a separate bowl so you mix it yourself. Review prices (2023 figures, so expect changes): stir-fried crab powder about ¥88, plain broth noodles about ¥12, crayfish tossed noodles about ¥38 and crab roe soup dumplings about ¥18 for three. At roughly ¥50-60 per person this is the cheapest way in this list to eat a proper crab noodle. The Shenye UpperHills branch is on level B1, open 10:30-21:00, about 630 m from Donggualing Station on Line 10.
- Address:Shop M07, Level B1, Shenye UpperHills, 5001 Huanggang Road, Futian
- Metro:Line 10 Donggualing Station, about 630 m on foot
- Hours:10:30-21:00
- Price guide:crab powder about ¥88, plain broth noodles about ¥12 (2023 review, expect changes); ¥50-60 per person
In November 2024 Songhelou signed an agreement with the Luohu district government to base its South China headquarters in Luohu, so expect the Shenzhen network to keep growing - check the official site or Amap before you travel to a specific branch.
4. Jiujiu Noodle House (Xiasha) - the Jiangnan wok-fired version
Jiujiu specialises in the wok-tossed noodles of the lower Yangtze, and crab roe noodles are a Jiangnan classic, so this one has real pedigree. The signature crab roe noodles sit alongside shrimp and eel noodles and fried kidney noodles - heavier and more savoury than the Suzhou style. It is a village-street shop in Xiasha, Futian, about 680 m from Exit B of Xiasha Station on Line 9, open 11:00-22:00 at roughly ¥80 per person. A good choice if you are staying in Futian or crossing at Futian Port and do not want mall prices.
- Address:Room 101, Building 4, Qifang Company Building, Xiasha Village, Shangsha Second Road, Futian
- Metro:Line 9 Xiasha Station, Exit B, about 680 m on foot
- Hours:11:00-22:00
- Price guide:about ¥80 per person
5. Xie Xing Ji Crab Roe Noodles (Coastal City) - the Shenzhen Bay favourite
Arriving through Shenzhen Bay Port, Houhai is your station and Xie Xing Ji is 70 m from Exit D1 of it, upstairs in the Poly Cultural Plaza outdoor walk. The golden crab-roe noodles cost about ¥98 and reviewers note the noodles can be refilled free; crab roe soup dumplings are about ¥48 (the ¥48 entry point in the headline), crab roe soup buns about ¥58, crab roe and prawn tofu about ¥58, wine-drunk crab about ¥98 for two, and a whole-crab claypot rice about ¥188. Dianping scores it 4.5 with an average spend around ¥82. The room is small, so aim for just before opening or after 14:00 to skip the queue.
- Address:Shop A2-03, Level 2 outdoor walk, Zone A, Poly Cultural Plaza, 4 Wenxin Sixth Road, Houhai, Nanshan
- Metro:Line 2/11 Houhai Station, Exit D1, about 70 m on foot
- Hours:10:30-22:30
- Price guide:crab roe noodles ¥98, crab roe dumplings ¥48; about ¥82 per person
6. Xie Jiang 1027 Spicy Crab (Nantou) - crab noodles with a spicy crab pot
This one is really a spicy crab and crayfish restaurant, but its crab-roe tossed noodles are just as good and make a great opener to a shared meal: order a pot of spicy crab, then toss the noodles through the crab oil at the table. It sits on Nantou Street in Nanshan, about 700 m from Exit A of Daxin Station on Line 1, with an average spend around ¥170 - the most expensive stop on this list, and the one to pick if you want chilli rather than steam.
- Address:301 Nantou Street (Nantou Joy Plaza area), Nanshan
- Metro:Line 1 Daxin Station, Exit A, about 700 m on foot
- Price guide:about ¥170 per person (OpenRice band ¥151-300)
- Signatures:crab-roe tossed noodles, spicy crab, braised crayfish
Getting there from each port
- Luohu Port:walk straight onto Line 1 at Luohu Station. One stop to Guomao for Suyi Crab Noodle Master, or one stop to Laojie for Dongmen and Xie Wei Ding.
- Futian Port:take Line 4 and change to Line 1 at Convention and Exhibition Center. For Shenye UpperHills switch to Line 10 at Donggualing; for Xiasha take Line 9 to Exit B.
- Shenzhen Bay Port:change to Line 11 towards Houhai - Exit D1 puts you 70 m from Xie Xing Ji. Nantou is on Line 1 via Daxin Station.
- Taxis and ride-hailing:all six are in malls or on main streets, so on a wet day you can be dropped at the mall entrance or car park.
Five tips so you get your money's worth
- Ask crab powder or crab roe:the price and flavour gap is real. Crab powder is the budget choice, crab roe and bald butter are the indulgence.
- Two people, one bowl:a single rich crab-roe noodle bowl is usually enough for two to taste, so add a steamer of crab roe dumplings or soup buns and keep the bill at ¥60-80 a head.
- Check for free noodle refills:several shops, Xie Xing Ji included, refill the noodles at no charge - cheaper than ordering a second dish if you are hungry.
- Use the vinegar, drink the ginger tea:crab is considered a cooling food. Crab vinegar lifts the flavour and cuts the fishiness; most shops pour complimentary ginger tea.
- Dodge the peak:Coastal City and Huangting Plaza are busiest from 12:00-14:00 and 18:00-20:00. Go before 11:30 or after 14:00, and from mid-October onward use Dianping or OpenRice to take a queue number at weekends.
FAQ
What is the difference between crab powder noodles and crab roe noodles?
Crab powder is roe mixed with picked crab meat; crab roe is mostly the female crab's roe. Powder is lighter and cheaper, roe is richer and can taste about three times stronger, which is why the roe version usually costs ¥30-50 more in the same restaurant. Asking before you order avoids surprises.
How much does a bowl of crab roe noodles cost in Shenzhen?
Across the six places here: crab roe dumplings from ¥48, crab powder or crab roe noodle bowls ¥48-98, bald-butter crab roe rice around ¥98, and a stir-fried crab powder noodle meal at Songhelou from about ¥50-60 per person. Add a spicy crab pot at Xie Jiang 1027 and the average rises to about ¥170 per person. All figures are review and platform reference prices - confirm with the restaurant.
When is the best time in the crab season?
The hairy crab season runs from mid-September to November, with a local saying that lunar September favours female crabs (for roe) and lunar October favours males (for meat). Mid-October to November gives you the richest bowls; off season some kitchens switch to frozen crab powder and the flavour drops, so it is fair to ask whether the crab was picked fresh today.
Which shop is easiest from Shenzhen Bay Port?
Xie Xing Ji Crab Roe Noodles at Coastal City - take Line 11 to Houhai, leave by Exit D1 and walk about 70 m. You can browse the Coastal City malls afterwards. For the spicy-crab route, Xie Jiang 1027 in Nantou is about 700 m from Exit A of Daxin Station.
Why are the big-name shops like Xie San Bao not included?
Those are covered shop by shop in our separate seasonal hairy crab guide, including the all-you-can-eat and whole-crab banquet options, so this piece deliberately looks at a different set of kitchens. (One note: the Huangting Plaza branch of Xie Yi Pin, which we used to recommend, is now marked closed on OpenRice Shenzhen, so it has been removed from our guides and replaced with Xie Xing Ji at Coastal City.)
Sources
- OpenRice Greater Bay Area (Shenzhen) restaurant pages for Suyi Crab Noodle Master (Guomao SPRING), Xie Wei Ding Crab Roe Noodles (Dongmen), Xie Xing Ji Crab Roe Noodles (Poly Cultural Plaza), Songhelou Suzhou-Style Noodles (Shenye UpperHills) and Xie Jiang 1027 (Nantou Street); addresses, metro exits and hours updated September-October 2026.
- OpenRice user reviews (January, July and September 2026) for reference prices of crab-roe waterfall noodles, golden crab-roe noodles and crab roe dumplings.
- Dianping listing for Xie Xing Ji (Coastal City): average spend about ¥82 and its ranking on the Shenzhen crab-roe noodle chart.
- Songhelou official website (songhelou.net) branch listings; Hong Kong Commercial Daily and Southern Finance Omnimedia coverage of Songhelou basing its South China headquarters in Luohu (29 November 2024).
- SZgor.com round-up of Shenzhen crab roe noodle shops for average spend at Xie Wei Ding and Jiujiu Noodle House.
- Songhelou crab powder and noodle prices come from a 2023 diner write-up and are historical, for reference only.
- Amap (uri.amap.com) for store locations and navigation.
Prices, opening hours and trading status are subject to the restaurants' latest announcements.
Related reading
- Shenzhen Hairy Crab Guide 2026: All-You-Can-Eat, Crab Roe Noodles and Full-Crab Banquets
- Taking Hairy Crabs Back to Hong Kong in 2026: How Many, and What Is Actually Banned
- Where to Eat in Luohu Dongmen: Nine Restaurants Worth Sitting Down For
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