Crab roe xiaolongbao. [Photo/WeChat account: wifiwx]
As temperatures drop, fresh hairy crabs are taking center stage on dining tables across Wuxi, Jiangsu province.
For local food enthusiasts, autumn signifies the arrival of freshly picked crab roe and meat. At restaurants across the city, experienced cooks carefully extract the golden roe and tender white meat by hand. It takes about 1 kilogram of hairy crabs to produce just 300 grams of crab meat and roe, making the seasonal delicacy all the more precious.
Here are five local establishments putting their own spin on the autumn favorite.
At Taoxingbao Dim Sum Shop in Jiangyin, handmade crab roe soup dumplings combine delicate, thin wrappers with rich broth made from chicken, pork bones and crab roe. The dumplings are best enjoyed by sipping the savory soup inside before taking a bite.
At Guiguilong within Huishan Ancient Town, crab roe clay pot noodles are a seasonal bestseller. Generous portions of freshly extracted crab roe and meat are mixed into the noodles, coating each strand in a rich golden sauce.
Lingdeling, near Nanchan Temple, draws crowds with its crab roe xiaolongbao. Each basket contains eight steamed dumplings filled with crab meat, roe and pork, delivering a burst of savory juices with every bite.
Crab roe wontons. [Photo/WeChat account: wifiwx]
Lao Niu Restaurant, which has served diners in Huishan Ancient Town for 25 years, offers crab roe fried rice. Around 200 g of fresh crab roe are gently folded into the rice, creating a fragrant dish that balances delicate crab meat and egg.
Meanwhile, century-old Wuxi brand Wang Xing Ji has added crab roe wontons to its seasonal menu. Both the filling and broth feature crab meat and roe, giving the traditional wontons an extra layer of rich seafood flavor.
With the crab season underway, these five local favorites offer a delicious way to experience Wuxi's autumn food culture.
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