7 Best Chilli Crab in Singapore to Die
Written by
Sarah Ong |
September 04, 2025
Chilli crab is an absolute must-try if you’re visiting Singapore and looking for a dish that is both traditional and delicious. This seafood dish features stir-fried crab covered in a sweet, savory, and spicy tomato-based sauce, usually served alongside steamed or deep-fried mantou (buns).
Ranked at number 35 on CNN Go’s list of the World’s 50 most delicious foods in 2021, chilli crab is an iconic dish that no traveler should miss during their culinary exploration of Singapore.
To ensure you savor the finest flavors of this delightful dish, here are the 7 best chilli crab restaurants in Singapore that you should consider visiting.
See also: 7 Best Seafood Restaurants in Singapore
Highlights:
- Classic chilli crab: The defining factor of the style and taste of chilli crab at a seafood restaurant is undoubtedly the chilli sauce. Jumbo’s chilli sauce, which is thick, sweet, and slightly spicy, lives up to its reputation as a classic version. Compared to other chilli crab dishes, Jumbo’s sauce is relatively mild in spiciness, making it a great choice for those with Western palates.
- In a classy ambience: The top-notch chilli crab at Jumbo Seafood is sure to make passersby envious. Located by the riverside in Boat Quay, the restaurant offers stunning views of the Singapore River and its mix of old port structures and modern skyscrapers. Outdoor seating provides a perfect spot to take in the iridescent reflections on the water, the twakow boats, and the stylish patrons. For a more comfortable dining experience, the air-conditioned interior is a great option.
Image: Long Beach Seafood Restaurant
Highlights:
- A spicy version of chilli crab: If you’re a fan of chilli-spiced seafood, then Long Beach’s chilli crab is a must-try. What sets it apart from others is the intense level of spiciness in the dish. The gravy is an impeccable blend of sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness that perfectly complements the mantou. But the star of the dish is undoubtedly the crab itself. The juicy, fresh flesh will leave you wanting more.”
- Top spots for black pepper crab: Legend has it that the famous dish of black pepper crab was first created by a talented chef at Long Beach. Since then, this dish has become a signature item on their menu, earning the restaurant a remarkable reputation among diners. Served with a perfectly coated layer of fragrant and delicious black pepper sauce, each crab is a succulent treat, with the spices perfectly complementing the freshness of the meat.
Image: No Signboard Seafood Restaurant
Highlights:
- Chilli crab with various levels of spiciness: At No Signboard, you can customize the spiciness level of your chili crab to suit your taste. Although the presentation of the dish may not always be neat, the tantalizing aroma and taste of the crab will not disappoint.
- White pepper crab at its best can be found here: No Signboard actually ‘invented’ Singaporean white pepper crab and their version is unmatched. The restaurant has a flawless recipe for this dish. The peppery flavor is strong but doesn’t overpower the sweetness of the crab meat. Served with some vegetables, this pepper sauce-coated crab dish goes perfectly with fried rice.
Highlights:
- A sweet sauce version of chilli crab: Red House’s chilli gravy is sweet rather than savoury and this luscious sauce goes well with crab meat and deep-fried mantou. The restaurant’s less spicy crab dishes are ideal for when you want something new for your palates rather than something classic.
- Comfortable ambience for all kinds of gatherings: Red House Seafood has an unpretentious atmosphere where everyone can find their own ‘comfort zone’ for their seafood feast. The restaurant at Grand Copthorne has seven private rooms that are the perfect choice for business meetings or family gatherings.
Highlights:
- A crab-centric culinary universe: Mellben Seafood’s menu boasts an impressive selection of 15 crab dishes, offering a true haven for crab enthusiasts. Indulge in Mellben Seafood’s standout crab offerings, such as the chilli crab, clay pot crab vermicelli soup, butter crab, laksa crab, black pepper crab, salted egg yolk crab, ginger onion crab, and shimmering sand crab.
- An eggy and gooey chili crab gravy version: Mellben Seafood’s chili crab is made with large crabs smothered in a thick, spicy, and slightly sweet chili sauce. Their unique style of cooking produces a dish that is starchy, eggy, and gooey, with an abundance of sauce that is perfect for dipping mantou. Furthermore, the spice level can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
- Top spot for clay pot crab bee hoon: Claypot crab bee hoon, also known as clay pot crab vermicelli soup, is a noodle soup dish that features a milky broth, rich with the aroma and sweetness of crabs. For many locals, Mellben is the go-to destination to savor this delectable crab dish, which may be new to your culinary repertoire but is sure to delight your taste buds from the very first spoonful.
Highlights:
- Chilli crab with a twist: At Dancing Crab, the chili crab is served as ‘Chili Crab Bread Bowl,’ a large pot of deliciousness containing two Sri Lankan crabs (each weighing approximately 700g) swimming in a traditional thick and sweet sauce. The twist lies in the brioche, which is perfectly toasted and placed in the middle of the pot, making it an awesome alternative to mantou. The brioche complements the sauce and crab meat beautifully.
- A marriage of American-style and Singapore-style seafood: The Dancing Crab menu features a combination of old-fashioned Louisiana dishes, such as their signature seafood boil, Lobster Roll, and Crab Cake, as well as traditional Chinese seafood dishes like Black Pepper Crab and Crab Fried Rice. All of these dishes are served in a vibrant atmosphere, complete with upbeat music, creative cocktails, and imported beers.
- Build-a-combo options: If you’re feeling adventurous, you can choose to build your own seafood boil combo that perfectly suits your taste. Simply select your main seafood (crab, Dungeness crab, or Boston lobster), choose your secondary seafood and other ingredients, and then pick your sauce (signature Cajun, zesty garlic butter, or Beurre blanc).
Highlights:
- Chilli crab with red and green versions: Red is the classic color of Singapore chili crab, but with HolyCrab, this delicious dish also comes in green. The green version may have a Thai look, but it is a true Peranakan recipe. This would be a perfect fit if you are looking for something yummy and creative for your chili crab meal.
- 5 levels of spiciness: HolyCrab has 5 levels of spiciness to accommodate every diner’s preference, whether they like it hot or just a little kick to keep the spotlight on the crab.
- 12 crab dishes to choose from: It’s always great to have choices, and diners are spoiled for choice at HolyCrab. Choose from 12 exquisite crab dishes including Green Mumba (signature green sauce with strong Oriental flavors), Devil’s (creamy butter sauce with curry flavors), and Orgasmic (just like Devil’s but with the luxurious addition of brown salted egg yolks).
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