Singapore is known for its food and one of the most popular dishes is chilli crab. It's a dish that's loved by locals and tourists alike. But where can you find the best chilli crab in Singapore? In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best places to get your fix of this delicious dish.
Chilli crab is a dish that's unique to Singapore. It's a dish that's made with fresh crabs that are cooked in a spicy tomato sauce. The sauce is made with chilli paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and other spices. The dish is usually served with steamed buns or rice.
The Best Places to Get Chilli Crab in Singapore
Here are some of the best places to get chilli crab in Singapore:
| Restaurant | Address | Price |
| Jumbo Seafood | 20 Upper Circular Road, #B1-48 The Riverwalk, Singapore 058416 | $$ |
| No Signboard Seafood | 414 Geylang Road, Singapore 389392 | $$ |
| Long Beach Seafood Restaurant | 1018 East Coast Parkway, Singapore 449877 | $$ |
| Red House Seafood Restaurant | 68 Prinsep Street, Singapore 188661 | $$ |
| Roland Restaurant | 89 Marine Parade Central, #06-750, Singapore 440089 | $$ |
| Mellben Seafood | 211 Toa Payoh Lorong 8, #01-11/15, Singapore 310211 | $$ |
| TungLok Seafood | 5 Stadium Walk, #02-18 Leisure Park Kallang, Singapore 397693 | $$ |
| Crab Party | 1 Harbourfront Walk, #01-53 VivoCity, Singapore 098585 | $$ |
Jumbo Seafood
Established in 1987, Jumbo Seafood is a highly recognized dining destination, famed for Singapore's iconic chili crab. Their critically acclaimed version is a harmony of fiery spices and succulent crab meat, served alongside an array of other exceptional seafood offerings.
No Signboard Seafood
Operating since the 1970s, No Signboard Seafood has made its mark with a unique twist on the traditional chili crab. Their celebrated interpretation features a subtly sweet sauce that envelopes each piece of crab, setting them apart in Singapore's culinary scene.
Long Beach Seafood Restaurant
With over 70 years of heritage, Long Beach Seafood Restaurant is a culinary stalwart. Renowned for their chili crab, the dish is characterized by a thick sauce bursting with robust flavours, making it a crowd favourite for generations.
Red House Seafood Restaurant
A gastronomic institution since 1976, Red House Seafood Restaurant is noted for its chili crab. The dish is served with a tangy and spicy sauce that elevates the freshness of the crab, creating a memorable seafood experience.
Roland Restaurant
A family-owned venture for over six decades, Roland Restaurant is reputed as the birthplace of Singapore's cherished chili crab. Their legacy recipe entails a thick, flavour-packed sauce coating the generously sized crabs, making it a perennial favourite.
Mellben Seafood
Mellben Seafood has captivated diners with its version of chili crab. The dish stands out with a rich, spicy, and slightly sweet sauce that perfectly complements the succulent crab, creating a well-balanced and irresistible seafood delight.
TungLok Seafood
TungLok Seafood is a household name in Singapore's food scene, known for its chili crab among an array of seafood offerings. Their chili crab is served in a tangy, spicy sauce that leaves a lingering taste, making it a must-try for all food lovers.
Crab Party
Source: Crab Party FB
Living up to its name, Crab Party serves a wide range of crab dishes, with their chili crab being a standout. The dish comes with a thick, flavourful sauce that enhances the crab's natural sweetness, offering a party for the taste buds.
Origin Of Chilli Crab
Tracing the roots of Singapore's chili crab takes us back to the 1950s when Madam Cher Yam Tian, together with her husband, Mr. Lim Choon Ngee, creatively stirred chili sauce into fried crabs. Initially served from their modest pushcart in Kallang, Singapore, the dish's incredible flavor quickly garnered a following.
This burgeoning popularity paved the way for the opening of their Palm Beach Restaurant in East Coast in 1962, making chili crab accessible to a broader crowd. Their son, Mr. Roland Lim, kept the culinary legacy alive by founding Roland Restaurant, which remains operational today. Known as Singapore's iconic seafood dish, chili crab — stir-fried crabs coated in a savory, robust chili sauce, often accompanied by tiny mantou buns — is a must-try at various dining establishments across the country.
The most commonly enjoyed variant today was the innovative work of Hooi Kok Wah, a celebrated chef among Singapore's culinary elite during that period.
Best Chilli Crab In Singapore Conclusion
Chilli crab, a dish deeply embedded in Singapore's culinary identity, offers a delightful balance of spiciness from the chili and sweetness from the fresh crabs. Each restaurant, from historic establishments to contemporary hotspots brings a unique interpretation to this beloved dish.
While the sauces vary in sweetness, tanginess, and heat, the heart of the dish — tender crab meat in a robust, spicy tomato sauce — remains constant. Whether served with steamed buns or rice, chilli crab, undoubtedly a must-try for all food lovers, provides a memorable taste of Singapore's rich gastronomic heritage.