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Shanghai Hairy Crab
A.K.A Hairy crab, Chinese mitten crab These small crabs are a prized seasonal delicacies especially in Shanghai and it's cuisine, but available throughout the costal regions of Korea and South East China. The crabs are hardly bigger than the fist of a hand and distinctively have dark hair covered claws and long hair covered legs. Hairy crabs grow up in the famed Yangcheng lake and other fresh water lakes, around Shanghai (Jiangsu Province) but migrate to river the river delta of the Yangtze and spawn where the freshwater and the saltwater of the sea are mixing. The crabs are said to be cooling for the body and are best, after the mid autumn festival (please refer to the glossary entry – moon cakes) when the water of the Yangtze cools down for the first time and the crabs fatten up and slow down in their movement. More importantly although, it is also the time, the crab is producing more roe in preparation of the mating season. The female crab’s roe is sought after as it is supposed to be highly aphrodisiac but the crabs also have a very distinct flavor and very white and tender meat.