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What Is Soft Shell Crab?
Soft shell crab season runs from May to July, making this delicacy even more prized right now.
These crabs have recently molted their old exoskeleton, making them soft.
Typically found in Japanese restaurants, this recipe features crabs that are coated with panko, deep fried, and served with ginger ponzu sauce.
The radish sprouts–seasoned with just a wee bit of olive oil, salt, and black pepper–add extra punch and lend a tint of peppery flavor to this dish without requiring too much effort.
The roughly shaped bread crumbs create light, airy, and extra-crunchy coating on fried foods, especially on this recipe. Packed in a plastic bag, panko can be easily found in Asian markets…
Ingredients for Soft Shell Crab Recipe
- Soft shell crab
- Egg
- Panko
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Ponzu sauce
- Fresh ginger
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Eat All of the Soft Shell Crab?
The best part of this recipe is that yes, you can literally eat all of the crab. Say goodbye to messy eating of crab!
How Can You Tell If a Crab Is Soft Shelled?
The easiest way to tell is by a pinch test. Pick up each crab and squeeze the edge of the shell near the lateral spines or one of the legs.
How Many Calories?
This recipe has 432 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
This dish is best served as an appetizer. For a wholesome Japanese meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Panko-crusted Soft Shell Crab with Ginger Ponzu Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 soft shell crabs
- 1 egg (lightly beaten)
- 1/2 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
- Salt and black pepper
- 1 box radish sprouts
- Olive oil
Dipping Sauce:
- 5 tablespoons Ponzu sauce
- 1/2 inch fresh ginger (grated)
Instructions
- Heat up vegetable oil to 300 degree in a deep pot or deep fryer.
- Clean the crabs with water and blot them dry with paper towels.
- Coat crabs with the egg and then panko. Make sure that the crabs are well-coated with panko before you fry them.
- Deep fry each crab separately until the shell turns red and the panko becomes golden brown.
- Remove and drain crabs; set aside.
- Discard the roots of the radish sprouts.
- Season the radish sprouts with a little olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix the ponzu sauce with the grated ginger and transfer to a small serving bowl.
- On a plate, serve the crabs on a bed of radish sprouts and the ponzu sauce.
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
I tell you, panko is the only way to fry soft shell crab. It tastes simply amazing. The panko bread crumbs give it a light, yet crispy coating that is much better than using regular bread crumbs. The type of oil makes a difference too. I prefer to use olive oil in a cast iron pan until crispy-brown arounf the edges.