Autumn crabs are here: 15 delicious crab dishes

Besides moon viewing and maple leaf appreciation, the most exciting thing about autumn is the arrival of plump, juicy crabs. Crab dishes have long been regarded as one of the classic seasonal delicacies. In addition to helping people store up energy for winter—making the crabs themselves rich and flavorful—crab lovers around the world have developed diverse cooking methods, transforming this simple dish into an array of tastes. There’s steaming that highlights the natural flavor of the ingredients, as well as hearty, healthy methods like boiling and charcoal grilling. Then there are regional seasoning styles inspired by local eating habits, such as curry or spicy flavors—each crab dish offers a unique kind of satisfaction. Now let’s see which way of enjoying crabs suits you best.

• Charcoal-grilled plain crab

The stone warehouses along Otaru Canal were once part of an old storage complex, but now they’ve been transformed into a trendy dining street. Here you’ll find the all-you-can-eat-crab "Otaru Crab (Kani) Club", the "Otaru Warehouse No. 1" serving fresh Otaru beer daily along with German-style bar snacks, the "Fish Yakimono Restaurant" grilling Hokkaido’s signature seafood over charcoal, and the "Hokkaido Aburiya Canal Warehouse", among other eateries.

• Crab meat nigiri sushi

One of the most famous shops on Otaru’s Sushi Street is “Otaru Masazushi”. This long-established restaurant, with a history of 63 years, has stood its ground in the competitive sushi street area and has even recently opened a new branch by the canal. Their recommended “Special Masazushi” set for ¥3,800 includes 10 generously sized sushi pieces featuring fatty tuna, large botan shrimp, sea urchin, snow crab, and scallops—you’ll understand its popularity after just one bite.

• Steamed Yellow Butter Crab in “Zhuangyuan Hong” Sauce

With the title of champion from the Iron Chef cooking competition on Japan’s Fuji TV, Hong Kong’s Hong Sing Restaurant has made a name for itself in the city’s food scene. The restaurant offers many signature dishes, such as stonefish soup and steamed yellow butter crab in “Zhuangyuan Hong” sauce, which are beloved by foodies. The stonefish dishes are especially famous for their tender, flavorful meat, thanks to the chef’s perfect control of cooking heat. Hong Sing Seafood Restaurant has six locations in Hong Kong and is often packed during mealtimes due to its popularity—so it’s best to make a reservation in advance.