Where in the world is this?
Now is the season for Shanghai hairy crab. In and around Causeway Bay in Hong Kong and elsewhere around the territory, you are now likely to find people queuing up to buy these delicacies.
If you want get an idea of price, note the details on the signboard on the right – that is in Hong Kong dollars per unit weight. To buy the crabs individually, the price is on the tags for each batch. Male crabs being smaller are usually cheaper. Higher prices are paid for the usually larger females of the species, especially those packed with roe.
The Shanghai hairy crab, also known as the Chinese mitten crab [Eriocheir sinensis], is native to the seaboards of eastern Asia and is typically found in the riverine estuary systems in this region – specifically in and around the Yangtze River estuary. They are called hairy crabs because of the dense patches of dark hair on its claws.
While available almost all the year round, the height of the hairy crab season is in the late summer. When prepared for sale, the crabs are bound up using river grass. The creatures are usually kept chilled and moist before they are sold. How you choose to eat these delicacies varies. Stir fried seems to be the usual way.
Enjoy – Rogan
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originally written and posted on 121026 – reposted on 190119
