9 Places To Buy Clawsomely Fresh Hairy Crabs

where to buy hairy crabs in singapore 2021 roe seafood

With their distinctive furry legs and pearly orange roe, hairy crabs are definitely a favourite among foodies in Singapore. While you can always head on down to your favourite seafood restaurant for a hairy crab feast, nothing quite beats buying them fresh and cooking the crabs yourself! Wondering where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023? Check out our recommendations below with convenient online delivery options for hairy crabs in Singapore too!

Where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore (2023)

1. Kun Hai Shop 

kun hai shop where to buy hairy crabs singapore 2021
(Credit: Kun Hai Shop 坤海旗舰店)

From the trendiest Chinese snacks to fresh produce from China, there’s no need to worry about where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023 when you’ve got Kun Hai Shop! Although not your typical seafood distributor, their Fresh June Yellow Hairy Crab (available on Kun Hai Shop 坤海旗舰店) are easily some of the best hairy crabs thanks to soft inner shells and tender yellow meat. You’ll also love how they are packaged in a gift box that’s sold in 10s or 12s. This makes the perfect gift for your friends or in-laws this hairy crab season in Singapore!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
Free shipping for orders above $45

2. Mamago 

where to buy hairy crab singapore 2023 Mamago
(Credit: Mamago Sg)

As a well-established frozen seafood distributor in Singapore, Mamago is a great online vendor if you’re looking for where to buy the best hairy crabs in Singapore in 2022. Their Mamago Live Hairy Crabs (available on Mamago Sg) are air flown directly from China and specially hand-picked to ensure that only the freshest and tastiest are delivered to customers. What’s more, each purchase comes with condiments such as perilla leaves, vinegar and ginger tea. A set of crab tools are provided too. What a steal!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
Free shipping for orders above $100

3. Tuck Shop 

where to buy hairy crab singapore 2023 Tuck Shop
(Credit: tuckshop.sg / Facebook)

It’s important to verify the authenticity of your hairy crabs to ensure the price you’re paying is justifiable. But where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023 that are authentic? Tuck Shop, a one-stop shop for fresh and frozen products under Tuck Lee Ice, is the place to go. Their hairy crabs come with an authenticity tag so you can track the source of each crustacean. This takes the guesswork out of your purchase! Moreover, these best hairy crabs are air-flown from Yangcheng Lake for maximum freshness — almost as if you had eaten them by the banks of the lake!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
Next-day and same-day delivery available
Delivers between 10am and 8pm

4. 8 Crabs

8 Crabs
(Credit: 8 Crabs / Facebook)

From yam paste desserts to crawfish, you can always rely on 8 Crabs to curb your cravings for Chinese delicacies. And their hairy crabs are no exception. Affordably priced, their servings of hairy crabs contain a large amount of crab caviar, as well as more crab meat than the roe so you’ll be making the most of your buck! We recommend getting male crabs as they are typically bigger and meatier than female crabs. But if you’re a fan of the deliciously umami crab roe, their female hairy crabs are available for order now. Those who prefer the male crabs for their milt will have to look forward to ordering them in November. So if you’re still on the hunt for where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023, do consider 8 Crabs!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
$4.99 delivery, free for orders above $150
$30 surcharge for orders to Sentosa, Tuas, Jurong Island/Port, Restricted Zones
Express delivery within an hour available
*Self pickup available

5. Livecrab SG

Livecrab SG
(Credit: Livecrab / Facebook)

Seafood in Singapore doesn’t come cheap. This is why many are down for great bargains when they search for where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023. If you’re a fellow bargain hunter like we are, we’ve got a great deal to recommend. At less than $250 for seven male hairy crabs (200g each), these hairy crabs are probably one of the more affordable options online. But what sweetens the deal even more is its individual pricing – at $25 per hairy crab even when you’re only ordering two!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
$12 delivery, free for orders above $100
Daily, from 11am – 5pm

6. Hairy Crab At Home

Hairy Crab At Home
(Credit: Hairy Crab At Home / Facebook)

You’ve heard all about the best hairy crabs hailing from Yangcheng Lake. But here’s another option for you to consider when you’re thinking about where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore this 2023. Thanks to Hairy Crab At Home, you’ll get to try these delightful crustaceans from Lake Tai Hu, which is located upstream of Yangcheng Lake. Water located more upstream tends to be cleaner and more pure, thus hairy crabs there are typically fresher and juicier since they have a better environment to grow in. Plus, the water in Lake Tai Hu is directly downstream from mountainous rivers, so there’s tons of beneficial vitamins and minerals that make the hairy crabs sweeter. And let’s not forget about the ginormous amount of flesh that’ll leave you wanting – none of the crabs at Hairy Crab At Home weigh below 200g!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
Daily, 9am – 7pm

7. Fresh Hippo

where to buy hairy crab singapore 2023 Fresh Hippo
(Credit: fresh hippo)

That creamy decadence that can’t be mistaken – you can only find it with these Fresh Hippo Hairy Crabs (available on fresh hippo). Oozing with velvety crab roe and crab milt, Fresh Hippo offers one of the best hairy crab delivery services in Singapore. The bright and rich golden colour of the crab roe is worth all the wait. But there’s only one thing you have to take note of: remember to keep these hairy crabs wrapped in a damp towel and in a fridge. Since they’re delivered in their freshest state, live in fact, it’s recommended to maintain the hairy crabs’ in their optimum condition so you can dig into them at their best.

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
$3.99 delivery, free for orders above $80

8. APC E-Store

where to buy hairy crab singapore 2023 APC E-Store
(Credit: APC E-Store)

Hairy crab season in Singapore is always a period where friends and family gather to indulge in this delicious seafood delicacy. And there’s no better way to do so than with these Kegani – Japan Hairy Crabs (available on APC E-Store)! Despite its high price point, these hairy crabs prove to be worth every penny. Not only do they taste absolutely scrumptious, they also pack tons of flesh that’s oozing with flavour. Just wait till you get a mouthful of that extra creamy roe and soft inner shells that’ll leave you craving for more! We hope you no longer have to wonder where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023!

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
$8 delivery, free for orders above $56

9. 7rpfoodsg

where to buy hairy crab singapore 2023 7rpfoodsg
(Credit: 7rpfoodsg [cropped])

When it comes to where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore in 2023, you’ll want a package that comes with both male and female crabs for the widest variety. Case in point: these 7rpfoodsg Hairy Crabs (available on 7rpfoodsg) that come with 10 male and female hairy crabs weighing up to 175g. If you’re wondering what the difference is, male hairy crabs have more meat while female hairy crabs have a more gooey roe. Either way, you’re in for a creamy and decadent treat! 

Hairy crab delivery details in Singapore:
Delivers in 1 – 2 days
Free shipping

What is a hairy crab?

What is a hairy crab?
(Credit: Apple Foodees : Malaysian Food Blog / Flickr)

A hairy crab, also known as the Chinese mitten crab, is a medium-sized burrowing crab that is named for its furry claws which resemble mittens. It is native to rivers and other coastal habitats of East Asia countries such as Korea and China. The biggest difference between a hairy crab and an ordinary crab is that it has a sweeter flesh and a golden roe that is creamy and buttery. In particular, female hairy crabs are more prized than male hairy crabs because they contain more roe and taste sweeter. The traditional way to enjoy hairy crabs is to have them steamed and served as a whole. 

When is hairy crab season in Singapore?

hairy crab season singapore 2022
(Credit: Th Lu / Flickr) 

Hairy crab season in Singapore usually starts in late September and ends in early December. This is when the best hairy crabs come to maturity and migrate from their freshwater habitat toward the ocean. While hairy crabs originated as a delicacy in Shanghai, it has gained popularity in Singapore and other Chinese communities such as Hong Kong and Taiwan over the years as well.

Feast on the best hairy crabs in Singapore (2023) 

Now that you know where to buy hairy crabs in Singapore, it’s time to learn how to properly cook them to bring out its flavour. Check out our guide on how to cook and peel a hairy crab (it’s super easy, trust us!) and you’re one step closer to a mouth-watering feast this hairy crab season in Singapore. For more seafood recommendations, check out these online seafood vendors with delivery options or snag some of the best canned abalones!

This article was updated on 4 October 2023. Additional research done by Caryn Tan.