{"id":13076,"date":"2025-11-20T11:16:37","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T03:16:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=13076"},"modified":"2025-11-20T11:16:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T03:16:37","slug":"male-vs-female-hairy-crabs-which-are-tastiest-hong-kong-chefs-peel-back-the-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=13076","title":{"rendered":"Male vs female hairy crabs: which are tastiest? Hong Kong chefs peel back the differences"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Autumn signals the start of the hairy crab season in Hong Kong and parts of mainland China.<\/p>\n
A question that divides hairy crab lovers is: are males or females the most delicious?<\/p>\n
When it comes to the flavour of the crabs<\/span>, seasonality matters a lot. Male crabs hit their peak in the 10th lunar month, when they develop plump, smooth gonads. The 11th lunar month is the female crabs\u2019 time to shine as their roe ripens and becomes firmer.<\/div>\n
Four Hong Kong chefs compare male and female hairy crabs<\/span> further to help us understand what makes each desirable.<\/div>\n
\n
\n\n
<\/div>Junno Li is executive Chinese chef at The Chinese Library. Photo: The Chinese Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Junno Li, executive Chinese chef at The Chinese Library<\/span> in Hong Kong\u2019s Tai Kwun centre of heritage and culture, says that female crabs are prized for their rich-tasting roe.<\/div>\n
\u201cThe female crab roe is rich, creamy and has a deep golden colour. The flavour is intense and buttery, making it perfect if you like something more robust,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Junno](\"https:\/\/img.i-scmp.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/fit=contain,width=1024,format=auto\/sites\/default\/files\/d8\/images\/canvas\/2025\/11\/17\/3c780c5d-36ee-4b05-a7c1-7bd22a770056_5ea2926c.jpg\" "\\"Junno")
<\/div>