Hainan Heli Crab

Heli Crab

Heli Crab is a protected geographical indication product.

　　　　The “Heli Crab” is produced in Heli Town, Wanning City, Hainan Province. It is renowned for its hard shell, plump and juicy meat, and is ranked among the Four Famous Products of Hainan along with Wenchang Chicken, Jiaji Duck, and Dongshan Goat. The Heli Crab can be cooked in a variety of ways—steamed, boiled, stir-fried, or grilled—each with its own distinctive flavor, but steaming is considered the best method, as it maintains both the original taste and the crab’s natural color and form.

　　Ingredients:　　　　Several fresh Heli Crabs, preferably large, plump, and tender female crabs

　　Preparation:　　1. Clean the Heli Crabs thoroughly, place them in a pot, and add an appropriate amount of water (not covering the crabs), along with refined salt, ginger slices, and scallions. Cover the pot and steam over high heat for 15 minutes, then remove.

　　2. Remove the gills of the cooked crabs, slightly roast them over an open flame to dry, then wipe off any adhering substances with a clean towel. Cut each crab horizontally in half to expose the red roe-filled shell, then make crisscross cuts to divide into pieces. Arrange neatly on a plate and serve with the accompanying sauce.

　　3. Sauce Preparation: Mix an appropriate amount of minced garlic, minced ginger, refined salt, orange juice, and sweet-and-sour sauce until well blended. Chili can also be added for a spicier flavor.

　　Characteristics:　　This dish highlights the original quality and taste of the Heli Crab. The crab meat is tender and fresh, and the golden roe resembles salted egg yolk. When eaten with fermented ginger and vinegar sauce, the flavor is extremely delicious and highly nutritious. It is believed to have medicinal benefits such as “nourishing bone marrow, enriching liver yin, replenishing gastric fluids, promoting circulation, and treating abscesses and boils.” Special Note: It is best not to eat dead crabs, especially those that already smell off, to avoid crab poisoning. Also, because the crab is cold in nature, people with a weak or cold spleen and stomach should avoid it. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus should refrain from eating river crabs. (Wanning)

　　 The protected geographical indication area for Heli Crabs is defined according to the scope proposed in the Wanning Municipal Government Letter [2005] No. 42, “Regarding the Definition of the Protected Geographical Indication Area for Heli Crabs.” This includes the current administrative regions of five towns near Gangbei Small Sea and Laoye Sea in Wanning City, Hainan Province: Heli Town, Hou’an Town, Wancheng Town, Dong’ao Town, and Liji Town.