Shuanglong Crabs

Shuanglong Crabs

　　Among the many local snacks in Lixian County, "Shuanglong Crabs" have only recently gained fame as a distinctive dish. Among all the "Shuanglong Crab" offerings, those from Liushui Mountain Villa in Shuanglong Township are the finest representatives and are very popular with customers from Lixian County and surrounding areas.

　　According to Liu Jinming, the general manager of Liushui Mountain Villa, most of their crabs come from Hongze Lake in Jiangsu Province, Honghu Lake in Hubei Province, and Niu’nai Lake in Lixian County. They maintain strict standards in selecting the crabs, requiring them to be alive, free of limb damage, with hard claws, green shells and white undersides, and full of crab roe. Acceptable crabs usually weigh around 125 grams each—neither too big nor too small. As a result, out of every 100 pounds of crabs delivered by suppliers, only 40–70 pounds are selected at Liushui Mountain Villa (40 pounds from local crabs and about 70 pounds from Jiangsu crabs), with the rest being returned.

　　The cooking process is also very meticulous. First, each crab is cleaned individually to ensure there is no sand or damage. After cleaning, they are steamed, typically for about 45 minutes per batch. Once steamed, seasonings are added and the crabs are arranged for presentation. All seasonings used are premium traditional spices such as ginger and garlic, with no additives whatsoever. The final step is plating and presentation. The finished crabs that make it to the table are fragrant, golden in color, fully limbed, uniformly sized, and excellent in both appearance and flavor. (Written by Liang Xianhai and Wan Zhiqing)

　　Source: Lixian County People's Government Website