Hairy crab in a set menu

What say you on the issue below?

HAIRY crab, a delicacy sought after for its creamy roe, was initially featured in Shanghainese dishes.

“It is now also very popular in other Chinese regional cuisines,” said Dragon-i chef Kung Yu Hung, who hails from Yangzhou, China.

The crab is in season in autumn and the restaurant is featuring the crustacean in a set menu that will be available until the end of November, or while the season lasts.

Highlight of the meal: There is one 200gm Steamed Shanghainese Hairy Crab for each diner in the Dragon-i set menu.

Kung, 38, said crabs were usually steamed without any gravy or marinaded so that the taste of the meat and roe could be savoured.

“The smell of the crab can be quite strong, so I add a little black vinegar and rice wine when using the meat in other dishes,” Kung said.

The crabs are flown in fresh from Suzhou’s Tai Lake every week.

The hairy crab set menu is priced at RM128 nett per person for a minimum of three people.

Added attraction: The set menu also includes the Dragon-i signature dumplings with added crab roe (Steamed Shanghainese Crab Roe Dumpling).

Besides a 200gm steamed hairy crab per diner, the menu includes Double-boiled Superior Chicken Soup with Fish Maw and Bamboo Pith, Sauteed Fresh Vegetable with Crab Roe, and Yong Chow-style Fried Rice.

Dragon-i’s signature Shanghai dumplings are not left out and the ones featured in the menu come with added crab roe.

The Sesame Dumpling with Ginger Soup, with its sweet and fragrant soup, wraps up the rich and savoury hairy crab meal nicely.