Top 40 Crab Dishes
in the World

Gejang is a Korean dish consisting of marinated crabs. The traditional marinade is usually based on soy sauce, and it goes under the name gejang gejang, while its spicier counterpart is known as yangnyeomgejang. The crabs are always alive when they are marinated, and it is recommended to prepare it with female crabs since they are usually filled with roe. The dish is traditionally served with rice on the side.Expand

She-crab soup, somewhat of a cross between a bisque and a chowder, is a soup made with heavy cream or milk, crabmeat, sherry, fish or crab stock, and roe—a key ingredient in the dish that improves the flavor and is responsible for the color. The soup is thickened with a roux or puréed boiled rice, and it is usually seasoned with either mace, onions, or shallots. A regional specialty of Tidewater, Virginia, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and Georgia coast, it was first introduced to these parts by the Scottish settlers in the 1700s in the form of partan-bree, a famous seafood bisque, but it was not until the 1900s that the soup gained its present-day form.Expand

No other dish represents Maryland's cuisine better than the crab cake - a fishcake consisting of crab meat and ingredients such as mayonnaise, eggs, bread crumbs, milk, and seasonings. The blue crab is considered to be the ideal choice of crab for the cakes. They are usually served on a bun, accompanied by french fries, coleslaw, or macaroni salad. Originally, the dish was first prepared by the Natives, long before the arrival of the settlers. It was one of the first dishes that were adopted by the Chesapeake Bay region settlers. The first recipe, called Baltimore's Crab Cake, was published in 1930. In the 1940s, as the dish gained more popularity, Old Bay seasoning was added to the dish, and crab cakes have remained a staple of Maryland ever since, both for their exceptional taste and the benefit to the local economy.Expand

Casquinhas de siri is a traditional dish consisting of creamy crab cakes served on a shell. It's made with a combination of crab meat, breadcrumbs, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions, yucca flour, green onions, cilantro, and parsley. The mixture is spooned into shells, then baked until golden brown. The casquinhas are sometimes served over shredded lettuce, and they're usually garnished with lime wedges and accompanied by hot pepper sauce on the side. The dish is served piping hot as an appetizer or a bar snack.Expand

Dungeness crab cake is a specialty from Washington that features the succulent meat of the Dungeness crab, a crustacean inhabiting the waters of the Pacific Ocean on the West Coast of North America. This dish is typically made by combining Dungeness crabmeat with mayonnaise, red bell peppers, celery, onions, herbs, panko breadcrumbs, seasonings, and eggs, and then shaping the resulting mixture into round cakes. The crab cakes are rolled in additional panko breadcrumbs and fried or baked until crispy. The meat of the Dungeness crab is renowned for its sweet flavor and its delicate texture. The dish is typically served as an appetizer, a snack, or a main meal for lunch or dinner.Expand

Stone crab claws are a popular seafood dish, particularly in areas where stone crabs are native, such as Florida in the United States. Stone crabs are unique in that they are often harvested for their claws alone, while the rest of the crab is returned to the ocean alive. Since stone crabs can regenerate their claws, this practice is more sustainable. The claws are large and contain a good amount of meat, which is sweet, tender, and considered a delicacy. Once the claws are harvested, they're usually cooked right away to preserve their freshness. The claws are typically boiled for a few minutes until thoroughly cooked, and after cooking, the claws are chilled. Letting the claws cool after cooking helps to firm up the meat and makes it easier to remove from the shell. The claws are often served pre-cracked to make it easier for diners to access the meat. They're typically served with a side of mustard sauce for dipping, though other sauces like cocktail sauce or melted butter can also be used. It's worth noting that stone crab season runs from October 15 to May 15, and fresh stone crab claws are often a featured item in seafood restaurants during this period.Expand

Bún riêu is a crab-based Vietnamese noodle soup. The dish is made in several versions, but the most popular one is made with a tomato base and goes under the name bún riêu cua. The soups are prepared with different broths, but they are always infused with crab paste and come served with vermicelli noodles, while the toppings typically include crab meat, pork, tofu, tomatoes, blood jelly, and a selection of fresh greens such as perilla or bean sprouts. The combination of sweet and sour flavors make bún riêu one of the favorite noodle dishes in the country.Expand

Like many other dishes in Asia, chilli crab started as a street food item, but it has eventually become so popular that today it is considered to be the national dish of Singapore. It consists of a stir-fried crab covered in a succulent, spicy sauce. The story of chilli crab's origin is a well-known anecdote - it was invented in the 1950s by Cher Yam Tian, who wanted to modify her stir-fried crab recipe by adding bottled chili sauce into the dish. The result was so delicious that her family persuaded her to start selling the dish, so chilli crab began its way to become the signature dish of Singapore. The dish is served in many restaurants in the country, and since the crab is served in a shell, the consumption of chilli crab is a unique experience. The diners must use their hands to crack the shell open in order to get hold of the tender crab meat hiding on the inside. Usually, mallets or nutcrackers are used to ease the whole procedure. Bread is commonly served together with the crab, and it is mainly used to soak up the delicious spicy gravy.Expand

Pastel de jaiba is a decadent Chilean crab casserole hailing from Santiago, where it can be found in most restaurants. The dish is made with crab meat, crustless bread, garlic, onions, milk, chili peppers, white wine, butter, fish stock, cream, and spices such as cumin, oregano, and paprika powder. The combination is traditionally baked in clay pots (pomaires), and when done, it is usually topped with grated cheese and served with bread and a glass of medium-bodied white wine on the side.Expand

Kepiting saus Padang is a spicy Indonesian crab dish known for its bold, chili-laden sauce and rich, savory flavor, originating from the Padang culinary style of West Sumatra. The name translates to “crab in Padang sauce,” and it features whole crabs cooked in a thick, fiery red sauce made from a blend of chilies, garlic, shallots, tomato, ginger, lemongrass, and sometimes egg to create a textured, slightly creamy finish. The dish is popular in seafood restaurants across Indonesia, especially in coastal cities and regions where fresh crab is readily available. Kepiting saus Padang stands out for the balance it strikes between spiciness, tanginess, and umami, often enhanced with the addition of oyster sauce or sweet soy sauce depending on local preferences. The crabs are usually cleaned and cracked before being simmered in the sauce so the flavors fully penetrate the meat. Some versions include chopped bird’s eye chilies for an extra punch, while others are slightly sweetened to temper the heat, making it adaptable to different regional tastes. Served hot and messy, usually with steamed rice and eaten by hand, the dish delivers an intense and satisfying seafood experience that captures the essence of Indonesian coastal cooking.Expand