Singapore is a global foodie paradise that offers a delightful dining experience for locals and tourists alike. This multicultural city-state presents a rich culinary tapestry that blends Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Peranakan influences. It’s particularly known for its vibrant hawker centres where one can taste authentic dishes at an affordable price.
Chilli Crab: A Must-Try When in Singapore
Perhaps one of the most iconic dishes in Singapore is the chilli crab. Tracing its origins in the 1950s, this now-world-famous dish was created when a local hawker, Cher Yam Tian, and her husband improvised a new sauce for crabs using tomato and chilli. Over the decades, the chilli crab became synonymous with Singapore’s vibrant food culture.
The dish embodies the fusion of flavours that characterises Singaporean cuisine—sweet, savoury, and spicy, all balanced in a rich, tangy sauce. It also showcases the nation’s love for seafood and innovation in cooking, offering a true taste of Singapore’s heritage. Whether enjoyed by the seaside or in a bustling restaurant, trying chilli crab is essential to understanding the Lion City’s rich food scene.
If you’re a fan of chilli crab, Singapore has a variety of restaurants that serve this iconic dish with their own unique twists. Here are some of the best places to enjoy chilli crab:
Jumbo Seafood
No matter if you’re a tourist or a local returning from an overseas trip, you can get a taste of the famed chilli crab right at the airport. This is because Jumbo Seafood—a household name in Singapore that’s practically synonymous with chilli crab—has a branch in the Jewel and can be a part of your Changi airport dining experience. Their version of this iconic Singaporean dish presents a perfectly balanced sauce that’s sweet, spicy, and tangy all at the same time.
Established in 1987, Jumbo Seafood has outlets all over the country. The restaurant also offers a range of other seafood delights like salted egg prawns and black pepper crab. Aside from its branch at the Jewel, which is open from 10 AM to 10 PM, you can also visit outlets at Riverside Point and Dempsey Hill where you can enjoy a waterfront view while indulging in a seafood feast.
Red House Seafood
Another long-standing favourite among seafood fans and chilli crab enthusiasts, Red House is known for offering its patrons high-quality seafood dishes at reasonable prices. The restaurant serves a chilli crab with a thick, rich sauce perfect for dipping mantou (fried buns). It has three branches: one at Grand Copthorne Waterfront, another at the Esplanade, and another at Clarke Quay. You can expect each location to have a spacious dining environment where you can appreciate every last flavour of the exquisite chilli crab at your own pace.
No Signboard Seafood
Originally a hawker stall back in the 1970s, No Signboard Seafood is primarily known for its white pepper crab. However, its chilli crab is nothing to scoff at. The seafood powerhouse restaurant has an excellent chilli crab that showcases a robust and flavourful sauce. Of course, while you’re there, you should take the opportunity to give the restaurant’s specialty dish a taste. Plan a dining experience well ahead of time and book seats at the restaurant’s Geylang location through its website.
New Ubin Seafood
New Ubin Seafood is well-known for offering traditional Chinese home cooking and with a modern twist. The restaurant, which first sprung up at Pulau Ubin, sets a unique dining experience with its “kampong-style” chilli crab. The sauce here is a bit spicier than at other places, earning the praise of people who want their chilli crabs to have a stronger kick. New Ubin Seafood has a casual, laid-back vibe, perfect for enjoying a spicy dish. Aside from chilli crab, the menu also includes Ubin nasi lemak and beef steak done “Ubin-style.” New Ubin Seafood is a popular choice for families, and it has locations along Victoria Street and Stevens Road.
Chin Huat Live Seafood
For people craving for fresh seafood, Chin Huat Live Seafood is an option that lives up to its name and claim. Located in Sunset Way, the restaurant is known for its lively ambience and fresh seafood. The restaurant’s founder, Low Chin Huat, coined the restaurant’s iconic catchphrase “a lobster larger than a little girl” that remains a testament to the size and quality of its seafood up to this day. The chilli crab here is particularly exceptional, with meaty crabs and a savoury-sweet gravy that leaves a lasting impression. The restaurant also offers a wide range of other dishes, such as live lobsters and clams. Should you feel like enjoying these dishes in the comfort of your home, you can use the restaurant’s website to place an order.
Tung Lok Seafood
Tung Lok Seafood is part of the renowned Tung Lok Group that operates several restaurants across Singapore. The chilli crab here stands out due to the unique addition of orange juice and tomato sauce, giving it a tangy-sweet flavour that pairs well with the fried mantou. Tung Lok is also known for its elegant dining setup, making it a great choice for more formal occasions.
