Chili Crab!

Singapore is known for it’s variety of food – and all fantastic!  The island is home to a multitude of various cultures and backgrounds, and the food available covers all of them – Indian, Malay, Chinese, Thai, Moroccan, Japanese, Indonesian, Western – burgers, pasta, bakeries, and more.  There is even Nonya food – the food specific to the Peranakan culture that sprung up in the 1800’s by the merging of the Chinese and Malay cultures, due to the tradewinds.

In general, you really have to wonder if there is any food that is JUST Singaporean – not a blending from some other country.

There is – Chili Crab!

When we first arrived a couple of years ago, we wound up at a restaurant that ‘specialized’ in Chili crab, and we were told we had to have it.  “It’s amazing”  “It’s fantastic”  “It’s a not-to-miss”  Ok…..it’s messy (in a country that doesn’t supply napkins at meals), and I just didn’t see the greatness in it.  I’ve been told that the sauce is made from ketchup.  Hmmm…..a bit of crab, swimming in a lot of ketchup, having to use your fingers and not getting a roll of paper towels.  It wasn’t my cup of tea at all.

Last year, when my sister & her family came, we dutifully took them to East Coast Food Centre (the go-to place for chili crab) for them to experience Singapore chili crab (remember, a ‘must not miss’ experience).  Even though I’m not into it, it’s still something to experience.  Sitting at the open-air restaurant, sharing a variety of dishes, and watching the container ships sail by (yep, very Singaporean), my brother-in-law LOVED the chili crab.  I kept looking at Del, wondering if he was just being polite.

But, no….he told my mom she had to have chili crab when she came.  So, another ‘must-not-miss’ trip for chili crab.

We headed to Newton Circus, one of the oldest hawker’s centers on the island.  This is probably as close as you get to experience how hawkers used to be in Singapore.  Years ago, before food courts, there would be food carts throughout the island, cooking up a variety of street dishes for all.  Each cook would ‘hawk’ their wares, trying to get customers.  This is where the idea of getting into the longest queue came in to being:  the best and freshest food would have the longest queues.  Over time the government moved the hawkers to central areas for health reasons, giving stands ratings for their cleanliness and freshness (you want to go to an A or B stall….avoid the ‘C’s).

Most hawkers markets are just like food courts now.  When you arrive at Newton Circus, though, you are met by those hawking their stalls again.   Once you sit, you’ll actually have one of them hand you a menu from which you pick and choose your food – kind of like a restaurant in that they’ll then bring it to you, but you’re still ordering from the stalls behind.

What does this all have to do with Chili Crab?  This is where we took my mom.  We ordered chili crab, and more – since I knew I wanted something else.  But, man oh man…..this chili crab was FANTASTIC!  And I’m not a crab fan to begin with!  My mom and I basically finished it all off, enjoying each bite.  Now I understand what people are talking about!

If you want good Chili Crab, head to Newton’s Circus – I think we ordered from the Pirates Sea stall, or something like that.  I must warn you – the bill was crazy high, and they only take cash.  Come prepared with cash & a big appetite!

These will run you about $10 each, loaded with garlic, and very good.

Chili crab, prawns, black pepper beef….and veggies I didn’t get a picture of.

Ok…..it doesn’t look that appetizing, but it really is good (and you can see the veggies in the background!)

It was a really nice, cool evening. No rain, but enough clouds to keep the temp down.

Lime and mango juice!

Trying to eat it neatly!