Autumn is here — which means it's time for the annual hairy crab season! Many crab lovers from Hong Kong head north to Shenzhen on weekends to feast: not only are prices a good deal lower than in Hong Kong, but the choices are dizzyingly abundant. Shenzhen's hairy crab specialty shops range from long-established names to budget-friendly all-you-can-eat deals. This guide rounds up 6 popular, verified restaurants that have been featured by Hong Kong media and food review sites, so you'll have plenty of options when planning your trip.
Budget All-You-Can-Eat: Crab Master (Dongmen) — ¥298 Unlimited Hairy Crabs
If you want "hairy crab freedom," go for the all-you-can-eat set at Crab Master: around ¥298 per person, featuring steamed, aged huadiao wine-infused, salt-baked, and Hong Kong-style typhoon shelter hairy crabs loaded with roe — all unlimited. Crab roe noodles, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup, crab roe soup, and a variety of other dishes and drinks are also refillable without limit. Located on the first floor of Dongmen Central City in Luohu (10:00–22:00).
#1 on the Popularity Chart: Crab San Bao (Futian / Nanshan / Bao'an) — Hand-Shredded Crab Roe Noodles
Crab San Bao is a regular on Shenzhen's "trending list" for crab specialty restaurants, and has surged in popularity among Hong Kong diners in recent years: the signature hand-shredded crab roe golden noodles, aromatic huadiao wine drunken crab, and juicy crab roe soup dumplings are all must-tries. The Futian branch is at Gangxia Royal Court Center (350 Fuhua Road), the Nanshan branch at Houhai Pengrund Commercial Plaza, and the Bao'an branch at Qianhai HOP World. Opening hours are approximately 11:30–21:30.
Crab Roe Waterfall Noodles: Crab Yi Pin · Crab Roe Noodles (Huangting Plaza)
If you love the carb + crab roe combo, head to Crab Yi Pin · Crab Roe Noodles: the signature crab roe golden noodles are packed with roe in every bite, each strand coated in glistening golden crab oil — gloriously indulgent. The huadiao wine drunken crab, crab roe soup dumplings, and crab roe chicken broth rice are also crowd favorites. Address: L1, Huangting Plaza, 118 Fuhua Third Road, Futian (10:00–22:00). Similar crab roe golden noodles are also available at popular spots Crab San Bao and Crab Xing Ji, starting at around ¥98 per serving.
Affordable Takeaway: Sheng Chao Xing (Luohu) — ¥199 for 10 Crabs, Delivery to the Border Checkpoint Available
If you want to buy crabs to steam at home or give as gifts, Sheng Chao Xing is a high-value choice favored by locals: transparent pricing, with a minimum of around ¥199 for 10 roe-rich hairy crabs. Orders of 10 or more get free delivery to the border checkpoint, and orders of 20 or more may qualify for delivery to Sheung Shui in Hong Kong on select days (check with the shop for details). Address: Building 1, 144 Zhongxing Road, Luohu. Open until 2 AM.
Time-Honored Fine Dining: Yuyuan Shanghai Restaurant + Jiangnan Chef
For a more ceremonial dining experience, consider two long-established restaurants specializing in Jiangsu–Zhejiang–Shanghai cuisine: Yuyuan Shanghai Restaurant (Kerry Plaza, Futian) launches its "All-Crab Feast" every October, using 6 Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs to create 12 dishes — including refined creations like uni and crab meat toast and crab roe smoked duck breast that really test the chef's skills. Jiangnan Chef (4th floor, MixC Luohu) is highly regarded for its hairy crab stir-fried rice cakes and Jiangsu–Zhejiang dishes. Both have higher per-person spending, so advance reservations are recommended.
Crab-Eating Tips + What to Know Before Bringing Crabs Back to Hong Kong
- Season: Hairy crabs are at their fattest from mid-September to November. As the mainland saying goes, "Ninth month females, tenth month males" (lunar calendar) — eat female crabs in the ninth lunar month (rich roe) and male crabs in the tenth (firm meat). Right now is the perfect time.
- Inspect before you eat: When choosing crabs, look for "green back, white belly, golden claws, yellow fur." Press the shell — it should feel firm — and flip the crab over; if the belly flap moves energetically, it's lively and fresh.
- Bringing back to Hong Kong: Bringing live hairy crabs into Hong Kong is regulated by the Centre for Food Safety, and generally requires relevant health certificates and permits. Customs and food safety requirements can change at any time, so it's best to check thoroughly before you go. The safest approach is to enjoy your crabs in Shenzhen before returning, or opt for cooked crabs or crab roe products to bring back.
💬 Comments
Loading…