The freshwater “hairy” crab (大闸蟹) is a (probably THE most prized) delicacy in Shanghai … and the Shanghainese LOVE their crabs!!! The most famous and sought after crabs come from Yangcheng Lake (阳澄湖) and can fetch upwards of RMB 700 ($110) per kilogram. Keep in mind that these are little (small enough to fit in your palm) crabs, so that’s a lot to shell out for the tasty morsels that require a decent amount of work to extract. But they are indeed TASTY morsels, particularly the female roe.
This year I enjoyed the first feast of the crab season (Autumn) with Zoe and her parents at their home.
Zoe and her parents enjoying a feast of hairy crab.