Remember that scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts was trying to devour her escargot and it flew across the table?
I had that exact “Pretty Woman” moment–a disgraceful and embarrassing one I must say–at a Chinese restaurant recently. It was a plate of mouth-watering ginger and scallion crab, and the character in play was a succulent crab claw, the last one remaining.
The culprit was a crab cracker. Being my clumsy self, coupled with the sin of gluttony, my crab claw flew across the table and landed on the carpet at a sad and dark corner of the restaurant. And there was no waiter to catch it for me!
Throughout the dinner, I kept looking down at the poor crab claw that I almost had in my mouth. It was a huge and beautiful crab claw. The shell was perfectly cracked and revealed the juicy meat inside. Drool…mmmm….I was this close to eating that crab claw. Darn it.
Chinese Ginger and Scallion Crab
When I was grocery shopping today and saw that Dungeness crab was on sale for $3.99 per pound, I knew exactly what I was going to make–ginger and scallion crab.
If you’ve been to a real Chinese restaurants in the United States, I am sure you are familiar with ginger and scallion crab (姜葱蟹).
Crabs are mostly prepared two ways in these Chinese restaurants: ginger and scallion or salt and pepper crab. Personally, I love the wok-hei infused ginger and scallion crab.
In my opinion, ginger and scallion are perfect matches made for Chinese stir-fry dishes–be it seafood or meat. (Previously on Rasa Malaysia, I had dished up ginger and scallion chicken.)
Ingredients for Ginger and Scallion Crab Sauce
This easy recipe requires just a few simple ingredients to create the sauce:
- Oyster Sauce
- White Pepper Powder
- Sesame Oil
- Sugar
- Water
- Corn Starch
- Fish Sauce
That’s it!
Eating out, ginger and scallion crab is rather pricey but I spend less than $6 making it at home. If you think that ginger and scallion crab is one of those dishes that is better served at Chinese restaurants, think twice. The recipe is very easy and takes only a few basic ingredients.
As for me, not only did I have my fix of ginger and scallion crab, I had two crab claws all to myself. And no, they didn’t fly across the table this time. ;)
What Dishes to Serve with this Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
This Recipe Goes Well with:
Other Recipes You Might Like
Enjoy Dungeness crab with these crab recipes on Rasa Malaysia:
- Roasted crab with butter and black pepper
- My mom’s famous chili crab
- Black Pepper Crab – A Malaysian and Singaporean favorite
Ginger and Scallion Crab Recipe (姜葱蟹)
Chinese ginger and scallion crab recipe. This ginger and scallion crab recipes makes restaurant-worthy ginger and scallion crab, as good as restaurant's.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 crab, about 1 1/2 - 2 pounds
- 2 inches ginger, peeled and sliced into 10-12 pieces
- 3 stalks scallion, cut into 2-inch length
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch for frying
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- oil for deep frying
Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 dashes white pepper powder
- 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 6 tablespoons water
- 3/4 teaspoon corn starch
- 1/8 teaspoon fish sauce
Instructions
-
Mix the sauce and set aside.
-
Clean the crab and cut into pieces. Pat dry with paper towels and put into a big bowl. Add the corn flour to the bowl and lightly coat the crab pieces with it. Heat up a wok and add cooking oil. When the oil is heated, drop the crab pieces and deep fry. As soon as they turn red, dish out, strain the excess oil and set aside.
-
Heat up a wok and add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil. Add the ginger and stir-fry until aromatic. Put the crab pieces into the wok and quickly stir a few times before adding the sauce. Add the chopped scallions, toss the crab in the wok a few times until well coated with the sauce, dish out and serve immediately.
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Mary Bostow
Such an educational post! I’ve never attempted cooking crab in the kitchen, but this is definitely encouraging me to try.
Jacinta
I made this today. It was delicious. I added some good glutinous rice wine and garlic.
The fantastic thing about this recipe and others by RasaMalaysia is that it is simple and yet GOOD.Thank you
Voan
This is a fantastic recipe! Can not go wrong!
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks Voan.
Tiffany
Does the crab come out pretty dry in this recipe? I’m wanting to serve this quite saucey to compliment some noodles. Could I possible just double the sauce part?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, you can double the sauce but this dish is supposed to be pretty dry.
korean gurl
Is it corn flour or corn starch to coat the crab?! itz confusing. tnx
Rasa Malaysia
It’s the same thing. Corn flour = corn starch.
Rachel
I have to ask a stupid question. Is the crab still alive when it’s cut into pieces? If it’s dead, does it mean it’s not fresh?
Rasa Malaysia
Yes, the crab is still alive when chopped into pieces. Of course, you can get dead crab and cut them into pieces too . Dead crab doesn’t mean that they are not fresh, as long as they haven’t been dead for too long.
Swati Banerjee
Hi, I made this recipe for dinner tonight with a few minor changes to suit my husband’s taste (removed the ginger after frying; fried the crab butter separately; added some fish sauce at the end to season). It was delicious! Here’s the photo: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rrL2DzqrbegArTY9F79akA?feat=directlink
I will be posting the recipe on my blog, http://www.whistlingpressurecooker.blogspot.com with a link to your recipe.
sheena
I just made the most fabulous crab!!!!! Better than any restaurant! thank you so so much..your scallion and crab was a winner
romeo ruan
I LOVE YOU, Baby. Someone said, ‘the best way to man’s heart, is through his stomach’.
I guess that’s true, though I have to cook the crab myself with your recipe.
Frank Mosher
I always thought one should respond to a recipe, with a comment about having tried it, rating it, perhaps adding suggestions. Guess I’m wrong. Anyway, I went out and purchased two (2) Dungeness crab today(Nov.1/09) in Halifax, and they cost on sale at $8.95 per pound, $24. each for a total of $48. I have your recipe, and the salt and pepper crab recipe. I have not yet made my decision. Hang in there! (But I keep thinking back to Lobster in black bean sauce).
Rasa Malaysia
Good luck I hope you get to try my ginger and scallion crab recipe.
paula pacheco
I loved meat crab…I learnt with mom how to prepare this delicious…other time I will try to do this recipe that like very good :))
Rasa Malaysia
If you love crab, you will lover this ginger scallion crab. It’s one of the most popular crab dish in Chinese restaurants :)
Roselle
I surprised my hubby making this recipe and it was to die for..So delicious!!! I've been searching for Chinese recipes that are exact to the taste you get at the restaurant, and yours are by far the closest ever. Thanks for sharing your recipe. I've also tried the Ginger & Scallion Chicken, Snow Peas and Shrimp…and today I'll be making your Kung Pao Chicken. HUNGRY!!
"Joe" who is constantly craving
ouch wat a waste indeed..if it does look as good as the ones u cooked here..
Anonymous
STUNNING! I’ve been searching far and wide for the salt and pepper fried crab they serve at Chinese restaurants. Any chance you know how to make?
Lori Lynn
Of all the blogs I read yours has the highest percentage of recipes that I want to make. 100%
Jim Tan
Wo. good crab. I like to eat crab.
SoRMuiJAi
haha I had that pretty woman moment as well. Except it was with a mussel, and the mussel shell flew across the table and actually smashed a wine glass….. The scary thing? I cooked the mussel! haha
Fantastic looking crab btw!
Passionate Eater
$6?!? Wow, not only do you cook like a world-class chef, but you still manage to do so affordably!
Claude-Olivier
what else ? what could I say? it is just beautiful and very tempting..ahh, why are you living so far ? ;-) cheers
Frank
Had this a million times at restaurants, but never made it until I saw your recipe. Excellent and easy! I used pre-cooked crabs from Costoc, so I did not fry, but it was still yummy.
SweetBites
wow! crabs are my favorite seafood.
i’ve eaten chilly crabs and fried crabs before but urs looks so yummy. I will give ur recipe a try when i can get my hands on some crabs.
Precious Pea
This style i think originated from HK? Funny that we don’t have this here in Malaysia although ginger and scallion being used to stir fry other meat. Anyway, i love cooking some egg noodles to put underneath the crab to soak the gravy. NIce! Ahh..ok ok…am going to make some thie weekend cos am feeling crabby again.
Tummythoz
Oooh I’m one of those who prefer to whack my crabs at restaurants. Hey, I even have designated dark T-shirts for such delicious meals.
=D
Nate Lau
Your hubby let you have both claws? How sweet.
Only one more month until Dungeness crab season opens up! Yum yum.
diva
OH NO..the crab claw! with the best bit of meat in it. sorry to hear abt tht. awww. but this dish loooks so amazing i hope it’s wiped away all feelings of melancholia! x
Lianne
my favourite´s cheese crab or chilli crab still but this looks good too.
allenooi
i am scared every time i go to seafood restaurant for crab. i am afraid the crab flew away moment will happen to me!
i love the crab cooked with the egg gravy. i have no idea on how to cook that. only my mom do. :)
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
You’re not the only one — I had a crab claw go flying in a restaurant, too, and even today when I think about it I blush! It didn’t hit anyone, but it bruised my self-esteem…
PenangTuaPui
i love crab la… but dun know how to cook as u know…
will pass this to my mum…
i like my mum cooking on crab porridge… yummy yummy…
mycookinghut
I love crabs! It’s difficult to get in London :( I just remember back home in Malaysia, I ate a lot of them. I think the last time I had crabs was in California :) I managed to eat as much to satisfy my taste buds :)
You are making me drooling now!! I want some crab claws too :)
veron
At least it did not hit anybody. Yes, better to eat crab at home that way it may fly wherever it pleases.
Salt N Turmeric
3.99/lb? Guess its time to get me some crabs too! ;)
petite fleur
I love crabs – done any which way.
It is always so much better to eat crabs at home – you don't need to be elegant about it & you certainly don't have to worry about flying crab claws.
MyF
never tasted this before but i do love crab – even just steamed alone!
Pink Parisian
Oh this looks amazing. I love crabs but I stop short at being able to kill them (the fresh meat crabs we get here that is) :P
tigerfish
It’s easier to devour crabs at home. It can fly every corner but it’s your home at least :)
southernoise
So nice! My mum used to cook flower crabs like this too and she would beat an egg in to thicken up the sauce.
Is there a rule of thumb to make sure that the crabs are cooked just nice? Big massive crabs like the Sri Lankan ones are a challenge to me to gauge the “doneness” :P
Tastes of Home
hi there, this is one of my favourite crab dishes! yummy a very fragrant and delicious dish..thanks for the recipe!
worldwindows
Just have live flower crabs in Teluk Bahang, Penang at RM42.00 a kilo! But it is worth it. It’s about USD5.6/lb. Your recipe is very traditional Chinese except for the fish sauce. Some Chinese wine may be nice. It is a good reminder for me who is cooking periodically. The ingredients can be adapted for most stir-fry seafood dishes. And its healthy! Thanks.
Cynthia
I so understand that longing look of the crab claw on the floor!
Marc @ NoRecipes
This looks fantastic! I always have that problem at restaurants (making a mess when eating crab), so I rarely order it, but it’s one of my favorite things. I’ll have to try this at home sometime!
Anonymous
Great recipe. I see that you don’t use chicken broth, do you think that would add more flavor? I’ll try that recipe with lobster as well.
Kate
I love ginger and scallion crab. I usually order it at Chinese restaurants. Anyway, love your funny story about the crab claw and love your ginger and scallion crab recipe, too.
Kate